My fellow teachers are returning to school and their classes once again tomorrow. I found myself thinking about what my top tip to students and parents would be. I remembered how back in my own teaching days, all thirty-five years of them, boys and girls who regularly ate breakfast did far better in school scholastically than the students who didn’t did. So, my own personal advice: Insist your child to eat/drink something healthy and nutritious every day before they leave the house.
Mom Central let me know about a terrific website – the MSN Homeroom. Its information was pertinent, professional, and on target.
I especially enjoyed the section on challenging advanced writers. It may just be common sense, but how many of us really guide our own children when we can? Helping our kids practice handwriting with the right tools in the right way sets the stage. Reading and writing daily lights it up. Looking at the overall picture serves as the scenery. Taking the complex writing process and doing it with copy work, making books, and creative writing provides the script. Developing oral language and use of detail rehearses the show. Then the show is on…and, I bet, a great long running one.
There is so much more–material for every age level, grade, and subject. Check it out. You will find it helpful. You will also find other parents experiencing the same things you do.
“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”
on Sep 20th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
I didn’t know you were a teacher, Pat. What grade did you teach ?
on Sep 21st, 2009 at 7:49 am
Julie,
Year ONe–Whole sinior English departmnt grades 10 thru 12 with a freshman homeroom in a thirteen year school in rural NJ. Year Two–first grade same area.. Year Three to Infinity sevenh then eighth grade Language Arts (Spelling, English, Reading) at the shore in a huige school district.
Pat.
on Sep 21st, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Thanks for posting this link. I got some great ideas from the video to help my 3.5 yr old learn to write her letters.
on Sep 21st, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Traci,
It’s all about the kids.
Pat.
on Sep 21st, 2009 at 10:55 pm
I will be checking this site out. Thanks for the tip!
on Sep 22nd, 2009 at 8:01 am
Swampbaby,
Very informative. Worth the time.
Pat.
on Sep 24th, 2009 at 2:59 am
Thanks for the information! I love MIni Wheats too!
on Sep 24th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Rebecca,
I believe a good breakfast–even a quick one–helps kids get through the school day.
Pat.
on Sep 26th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
It is amazing how many children try to write without holding the pencil correctly. I guess they were never shown the correct way! I am glad this site offers great information!
on Sep 26th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Nancy,
Modern schooling dismissed things like penmanship’s whorls and zigs.
Pat/