Hacker Valley Elementary School

Be patient and firm when your child tests limits All kids need limits, and most of them will test those limits. When your child challenges the rules, stop and listen. Hear your child out. Then respond briefly with your decision: "I understand that your friends watch that show and then do their assignments, but you know our family rule: schoolwork comes first." When your child does the right thing, offer a positive consequence: "You stuck to your study schedule all week. Let's celebrate with a pizza." https://tpitip.com/?12dY18889

Effective studying can be a group effort Sometimes, studying in a group can be more effective than studying alone. To help set up a study group before a test, have your child find three or four friends who want to work together. At group meetings, the students can list key facts, then quiz one another. They can also discuss long-answer questions they think might be on the test. Then each child can provide an answer to one or two at the next meeting. https://tpitip.com/?12dW18889

Encourage an early start on weekend assignments When there is schoolwork to do over the weekend, many kids put it off. Then they melt down Sunday night when the work must be done. Encourage your child to tackle assigned work on Friday. Classroom learning will be fresh in your student's mind, so the assignment will likely take less time. And if a project needs more time, your child will avoid a panicked rush. Then enjoy relaxed weekends together! https://tpitip.com/?12dV18889

Display a positive attitude when learning is a struggle If your child has difficulty learning, you may worry about the effects on your child's self-image. To offer support, explain that everyone struggles to learn things at times. You might share examples from your own life. Stay positive: Be honest but optimistic about learning issues your child may have, and praise and develop your student's strengths. Then work with the teacher and the school to find ways to help and encourage your child. https://tpitip.com/?12dU18889

A little screen time can be a good thing Here are a few ways to use the internet and other digital media to promote learning: You and your child can "visit" exciting world destinations. You can help your child find videos, apps and websites that show how to make things, and work on projects together. Or look for sites that introduce new ideas, and then discuss them. You can even strengthen family ties by going online to explore your heritage together. https://tpitip.com/?12dT18889

Show your child what listening looks like Research shows that in order to retain what they hear, students need to focus their attention, then review important information. Be a listening role model for your child. For example, encourage your student to talk about the school day. Then show you are paying attention by making eye contact and listening patiently. Restate the important points your child makes to confirm your understanding. https://tpitip.com/?12dS18889

Don't let perfectionism interfere with learning Children who spend all their time trying to be perfect may actually end up hurting their ability to learn. Show that you value who your child is, not what your child does. Help your student decide what work is important and what isn't (researching the report is; coloring the cover for hours probably isn't). Encourage your child to take appropriate risks, and make it clear that it's OK to make mistakes. https://tpitip.com/?12dR18889

Help your child learn decision-making from experience The best way to learn to make good decisions is by making lots of them. Give your child plenty of chances to make choices and learn from the results. A young child can decide between two lunch options. An older child can decide which assignment to tackle first. (Maintain the boundaries; deciding not to do schoolwork isn't OK.) Then help your child connect choices to their outcomes. https://tpitip.com/?12dQ18889

Help your child feel secure when the news is scary The news is full of scary stories. The way you talk to your child about it can make scary news easier to handle. When children are frightened, it's important to find out what they know about what is scaring them. Your child's fears may be different from the truth. Explain that you and other adults will do all you can to keep your child safe. You can also help your student follow Mr. Rogers' wise advice for scary times: Look for the people who are helping. https://tpitip.com/?12dP18889

Constructive criticism starts with positive comments Your child shows you a draft of a report for school, and the first thing you see is a misspelled word. Instead of just pointing it out, think PNP (positive-negative-positive). Start with a positive comment: "You have such an interesting first sentence." Then mention the misspelling. Follow up with something positive: "I think this is a great start." Your child may be more willing to ask for your feedback again! https://tpitip.com/?12dO18889

Just a reminder that next week is Spring Break for Webster County Schools. Therefore, there will be no school for students and staff from Monday the 18th through Friday the 22nd. We hope that everyone will have a great week off and we will see you again on Monday, April 25th

nspire the courage that leads to success Many activities in school, such as reading aloud or expressing thoughts in front of others, can take courage. Explain to your child that courage isn't about being physically strong, it's about having inner strength. Make it clear that it is OK to express feelings and fears, and praise your child's everyday acts of bravery. Encourage your student to try new activities and not to worry about failing. https://tpitip.com/?12dN18889

The forecast is good for your child's geography skills The newspaper weather page gives you the forecast. But you can also use it to build your child's geography skills. Look at the weather map together. Help your child find states where relatives live. Or play Name That State by giving your child clues like, "I'm thinking of a state that starts with an M. It's near the nation's capital." Then read a news article in the paper together and find the location mentioned on the map. https://tpitip.com/?12dM18889

Just like sticks and stones, words can hurt Kids have called each other names for centuries. But it's wrong to think that there's nothing parents or schools can or should do about it. Persistent name-calling, and name-calling with an intent to hurt, are forms of bullying. Teach your child that this behavior is hurtful. Don't accept "I was just joking," as an excuse. Voice your disapproval when you hear your child or someone else putting another person down. https://tpitip.com/?12dL18889

Small steps take the stress out of big projects As students reach the upper grades in elementary school, they begin to receive long-term assignments. Time management is key to success with these projects. Remind your child to get started right away and to do a little work every day. Together, break the assignment down into small parts, and set deadlines for each part. This lets your child focus on one part at a time and not get overwhelmed by a big project. https://tpitip.com/?12dK18889

Bring your family together at regular family meetings Weekly family meetings let parents and kids share feelings, offer support and stay close. To make your meetings productive, let family members suggest issues they'd like to put on the agenda. Start each meeting by praising your children's accomplishments. When discussing an issue, agree that everyone gets to talk without being interrupted. Be sure to hear your children out, but make final decisions yourself. https://tpitip.com/?12dJ18889

Set your child up for test success Many elementary schoolers face important tests in the spring. Three things families can do help set students up to do their best on testing days: First, help your child get a good night's sleep before a test and get up a little early to avoid a hectic rush. Next, feed your child a nutritious breakfast. Finally, make sure that your child starts school on time. https://tpitip.com/?12dI18889

Positive pictures keep achievement in sight Kids who can picture themselves achieving their goals are more likely to do so. Have your child focus on a goal, such as getting ready for school on time. Next, have your student picture following the steps to reach it: getting dressed, having breakfast and grabbing an organized backpack. Encourage your child to imagine how good it will feel to reach the goal. Then say "I know you can achieve your goal." https://tpitip.com/?12dH18889

Make read-aloud time exciting for older kids Reading aloud is not just for young children. Kids who can read to themselves still benefit from it. To make reading aloud more fun for an older child, look for chapter books that have plenty of plot twists. You can ask a librarian for suggestions. Then, with your child, take turns reading to each other. Stop at an exciting place in the story. Your child will want to read again soon to find out what happens! https://tpitip.com/?12dG18889

Help your child stop clowning around in class A sense of humor is great. But not if it causes disruptions in class. If your child has been playing the class clown, work with the teacher to identify when the behavior started, what might have triggered it and how to handle it. Talk to your child, too. Explain that there are times when acting clever or silly is disrespectful. Be clear about behaviors that are not allowed, and suggest things your child can do instead. https://tpitip.com/?12dF18889