Psyched About School

At my middle school, homework completion is one of the biggest problems I see.  On a regular basis, I come across students who could be making above average grades if they would just do their homework. It is frustrating for both the parents and teachers.  Unfortunately, finding a solution to this problem is not easy.  I've found it is difficult to find ways to motivate those students.  The smart folks over at www.understood.org, a website devoted to helping students with learning and attention problems, have an idea that might be worth trying.  They suggest a homework contract signed by both the student and their parents or guardians.  Check out the sample contracts for both younger and older students and see what you think. https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/learning-at-home/homework-study-skills/download-sample-homework-contract?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=understoodorg

Mindset is a topic you probably hear about frequently.  For those of you who do not know, it is a relatively simple idea discovered by Carol Dweck, a Stanford University psychologist.  She developed this concept after years of research on achievement and success.  Mindset explains the most basic beliefs we hold about ourselves and how shifting them can affect positive change in our lives. As the new school year starts and everyone is talking about improving student achievement, understanding how to foster a growth mindset is important.  This Ted Talk by Dweck provides a great overview of why this relatively simple idea about the brain can raise student achievement and productivity.   https://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve?language=en

Many people truly believe that we learn more from children then they learn from us. When faced with adverse situations many children demonstrate courage and strength that we did not know they had in them. Our jobs as parents, and educators is to provide children with the tools that assist them in overcoming these situations. By doing some simple things we can help build students into mindful, and emotional component adults. Check out the link below on ways to help Build Resiliency in our students, as we all know... its a tough world out there! http://www.nasponline.org/communications/spawareness/spweek2005_resilho.aspx

By Alison Sharp Does this sound familiar?  I don't know about you, but I can tell you that my last formal math class was several years (ahem...decades) ago.  Even as someone who is starting her sixth year working for the school system, I often feel that way.  Things are taught quite a bit differently from when I was in school.  Don't panic! There is help out there... Khan Academy is a wonderful free online learning site.  It has numerous lessons that are aligned with common core, and is especially good for when you don't know how to help your child with his or her math homework.  So, if I have a third grade student, and don't know how to help him with his homework, I could click on third grade, then on division, and then on whatever aspect he is learning.  There are lots of explanations and then practice items with immediate feedback.  There is even an "I need a hint" button to click.  There are other subject areas as well like science, arts, and huma

It seems like summer went by so quickly!  We hope everyone enjoyed lots of great family time.  As the new school year starts, we wanted to share some ideas for how to get it off on the right foot.  Here is an article from Scholastic on how to do just that.  Some of the ideas might seem like common sense but a reminder never hurts.  Parents and teachers, we would love to hear more strategies from you! http://www.scholastic.com/parents/blogs/scholastic-parents-raise-reader/3-superstar-tips-starting-school-year-right