GenParenting

Parenting resources for all who love and care for children

Supporting Parents Through Conferencing and Newsletters During the Coronavirus School Closures

Supporting Parents Through Conferencing and Newsletters During the Coronavirus School Closures

With thousands of students home from school because of the coronavirus, schools are hosting conference days for parents by phone and online. Through these meetings, parents meet with teachers to learn how they can support their children’s academic success at home. To prepare for these conference days, teachers compile diagnostic reading and math data and portfolios of students’ work to show the parents what their children need to learn and what they have achieved to date. We also provide parents with guidance on how they can help their children at home. [Read more…]

Parents Participating on School Committees

Parents Participating on School Committees

This past spring, I was invited to join a Strategic Planning Retreat for my children’s school district. Of course, the name of this meeting is intimidating because it sounds so formal. And if you are anything like me, most of the names of school committees (for example, School Site Council, District English Learner Advisory Committee, or District Advisory Committee) make me shiver and hesitate to think what additional responsibility (like more work) might come my way if I attend! But this time, the words “strategic” and “planning” suggested something promising about its purpose in shaping future plans for the school district. So, despite having to take some time away from my day to attend the meeting, I found that the experience was really positive!

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Let’s Talk Book Shopping for Children!

Let’s Talk Book Shopping for Children!

Whether you are at your local bookshop or your bookshelves at home, the question remains the same; how do I know if my child has chosen a book appropriate for their reading level? My approach to helping children make their own book choices is anchored in the philosophy held by two educators, Gail Bushey and Joan Moser, who co-authored The Daily CAFÉ.

The main goal for allowing children to make their own book choice is to put their interests at the forefront of their reading. This actually allows a flow of intrinsic motivation to help push readers through their natural/developmental reading struggles. For example, train your children to seamlessly learn content-specific vocabulary such as caboose, coal, and locomotive, while reading about their favorite form of transportation. [Read more…]

Practice Homework Help – Tips for Writing Assignments

Practical Homework Help – Tips for Writing Assignments

Being a former language arts teacher, I found it difficult to help my children with their writing assignments. I saw lots of spelling mistakes, punctuation errors, and poorly developed ideas. The truth is, I was looking at their assignment with adult eyes when I should have been approaching their writing at their level. These three tips help keep things in perspective when I review their writing.

I Am Their Cheerleader

When I review my child’s writing, I ask for permission to read it out loud. This gives them an opportunity to hear what it sounds like to the reader when in fact, it may sound very different to them in their head as they are writing. As I read, I cheer good work by verbally saying, “I love this detail” or “You make an excellent argument.” Giving them verbal praise validates their hard work and efforts. [Read more…]

Is Your Child Reading Below Grade-Level?

Is Your Child Reading Below Grade-Level?

At your last parent teacher conference did you discover your child was performing at below grade-level in reading? I know it’s January, but don’t despair. Hello, my name is Danielle Gentry and I’m a second- grade teacher in South San Jose. I’d like to give you some sound advice about what you can do at home to help your child and questions you can ask their teacher.

Questions to Ask the Teacher

First, let’s talk about valuable questions. How does my child read? What is my child’s reading level? Get specific answers. Most, if not all primary teachers have some kind of reading assessment that will inform the teacher of their student’s fluency, prosody, and comprehension. A deeper understanding of your child’s specific reading struggles can help you have a more directed reading experience with them at home. [Read more…]