Teacher Talk Tuesday
It's back! My all knowing teacher wisdom is back to spice up your otherwise dull Tuesday. ha!
Well friends, the beginning of this year has thrown me for a loop and I'm slowly but surely seeing my way back to sanity. Jumping four grade levels is certainly a trip, it's so strange because there are things that are very, very different, and there are things that are exactly the same. One of the things I loved most about first grade was the nurturing that came along with the job. I was worried this would be different in 5th grade and although it is different, its still present which makes me smile. The other day, my class had just returned from another room and it was time to write in our planners and pack up. I heard myself say, "ladies and gentleman I need to see planners on your desk, you have a math assignment due tomorrow and a test on Friday." It was then I realized, I may be catching on to this whole 5th grade teacher thing (on the 14th day of school, no big deal).
Therefore the focus of my teacher talks will shift slightly. Let's dive full force into this new role as an intermediate grade teacher and discuss... homework (dum-dum-dum).
I'll tell you something, if my 5th grade schedule was run the same way we currently do things, I would have been so much better about getting my homework finished!! We fill out our planners as a class each day and the kids pack their homework in their expandable file folder labeled to match their planners, how much easier can it get, right?!
Yet, we still have delinquents... ho-hum.
What's a busy family to do when your child comes home with hours upon hours of homework each night... well never fear, I have some tips for you!
1. Stay positive about working at home. Designate a spot at home for homework and turn the tv off!! I know this sounds cliche, but it helps. It also helps if you use this as a place to complete work as well. School is a job too, after all. Don't have any work to do at night...get off my freakin blog read the newspaper or book!
2. Teach your child how to organize themselves! 5th grade is an interesting age because although they may still seem "little" they are two (or sometimes one) years away from middle school!! No time like the present, if you still find yourself doing many things for your child, it's time to take a good look at things they can take on themselves. This will no doubt carry over to school as well.
3. Feeling like your child has too much homework? Ask them to tell you about their schedule during the day including work time. If you struggle to get an answer, feel free to contact the teacher to get an idea of what work time looks like in the classroom. Chances are, your child is struggling with time management... stay calm though (no yelling or blaming)... the best way to experience a successful school year is to create unity between school and home.
I can listen to some of this advice myself! I sort of feel like a first year teacher again, with work every night, but it's not so bad... all part of the job. =)
Well friends, the beginning of this year has thrown me for a loop and I'm slowly but surely seeing my way back to sanity. Jumping four grade levels is certainly a trip, it's so strange because there are things that are very, very different, and there are things that are exactly the same. One of the things I loved most about first grade was the nurturing that came along with the job. I was worried this would be different in 5th grade and although it is different, its still present which makes me smile. The other day, my class had just returned from another room and it was time to write in our planners and pack up. I heard myself say, "ladies and gentleman I need to see planners on your desk, you have a math assignment due tomorrow and a test on Friday." It was then I realized, I may be catching on to this whole 5th grade teacher thing (on the 14th day of school, no big deal).
Therefore the focus of my teacher talks will shift slightly. Let's dive full force into this new role as an intermediate grade teacher and discuss... homework (dum-dum-dum).
I'll tell you something, if my 5th grade schedule was run the same way we currently do things, I would have been so much better about getting my homework finished!! We fill out our planners as a class each day and the kids pack their homework in their expandable file folder labeled to match their planners, how much easier can it get, right?!
Yet, we still have delinquents... ho-hum.
What's a busy family to do when your child comes home with hours upon hours of homework each night... well never fear, I have some tips for you!
1. Stay positive about working at home. Designate a spot at home for homework and turn the tv off!! I know this sounds cliche, but it helps. It also helps if you use this as a place to complete work as well. School is a job too, after all. Don't have any work to do at night...
2. Teach your child how to organize themselves! 5th grade is an interesting age because although they may still seem "little" they are two (or sometimes one) years away from middle school!! No time like the present, if you still find yourself doing many things for your child, it's time to take a good look at things they can take on themselves. This will no doubt carry over to school as well.
3. Feeling like your child has too much homework? Ask them to tell you about their schedule during the day including work time. If you struggle to get an answer, feel free to contact the teacher to get an idea of what work time looks like in the classroom. Chances are, your child is struggling with time management... stay calm though (no yelling or blaming)... the best way to experience a successful school year is to create unity between school and home.
I can listen to some of this advice myself! I sort of feel like a first year teacher again, with work every night, but it's not so bad... all part of the job. =)
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