What Should Parents Know About AI?

What Should Parents Know About AI?

As a product of the 80s and 90s, I grew up with a bit of uneasiness with the idea of AI.  It seems like a cool idea, to have robots and machines do all of our undesirable tasks.  But movies like Terminator drop a bit of fear of a robot takeover into the back of my mind.  The list doesn’t stop with Arnold, the killer robot: The Matrix, I, Robot, Bicentennial Man, Short Circuit, Wall-E.  They are all movies about how robots take over in some way, shape, or form.  It always seemed far-fetched or like a fantasy from a world too far in the future to become my reality.

Should We Limit the Use of AI for Kids?

But here we are.  AI is quickly becoming a pivotal part of the work we do and how we interact with the world every day.  AI in education is a hot topic of conversation.  Many educators fear the use of AI and want to determine how we can stop students from utilizing the technology to cheat on their assignments.  Of course, we want to make sure students can read, write, and think critically on their own; but is halting the use of AI all together the answer?

I would say no.  As a rapidly expanding technology, AI will continue to become more and more a part of our everyday lives and it is already a tool people use to help ease their workload and to make themselves more productive.  As a school principal, I use AI to generate draft emails, write letters to my school community, generate social media campaign ideas for my staff, and to generate feedback that I can use as seed ideas to share with my staff when I observe their classes.  Of course, I have the knowledge and experience to review the content AI creates for me, so I can use it as an effective tool instead of a way to cheat my way out of responsibilities.  And yes, students will inevitably use this technology to cheat.  However, it is important for parents and educators to embrace this new technology, so we can teach our students powerful, useful, helpful, and ethical ways to use it.

How Can Children Use AI Safely?

As parents, you are your child’s guide to navigating the world. Take the opportunity early on to think about how your child can use AI in a meaningful way.  Without you, they are likely to find all the negative ways to use AI on their own.  With you by their side, they will learn to use a cutting-edge technology to help them on their pathway to productivity and success.

Where Do We Get Started?

As parents, you are your child’s guide to navigating the world. Take the opportunity early on to think about how your child can use AI in a meaningful way.  Without you, they are likely to find all the negative ways to use AI on their own.  With you by their side, they will learn to use a cutting-edge tool to help them learn, grow, and succeed.  Here are some ways to get started using AI at home to show your child that it is nothing to be feared and how to use it effectively:

  • Use ChatGPT to suggest a weekend itinerary, help generate ideas for a holiday celebration, and create a family meal plan for the week.
  • Use AI tools to generate ideas for fun videos you can post on social media with your kids (you can also use this as an opportunity to teach your kids about Internet safety).
  • Take a course together from an online platform like Coursiv. This way you can discuss what you are learning about AI together.
  • Try learning some skills together using AI, including graphic design with Canva, or essay revision with Gemini.

No matter how you get started, just be sure to bring your kids along with you.  Don’t be afraid to learn together, and you’ll be amazed how far they go!




Internet Safety for Kids

Internet Safety for Kids

When I was in middle school, I recall watching Channel One, a news program for teens, during my homeroom period every day.  The news and the commercials were designed specifically for kids and teens, and I remember one commercial that was played frequently in the early 90s during the daily broadcast of Channel One.  I recall a young girl at the front of the screen, and behind her was a road from the perspective of a driver.  It looked as though we were navigating very quickly through the curves of the road, as the girl narrated.  She talked in a British accent about “The World Wide Web,” something I had never heard of before.  Fast forward to high school when we were all on America Online (AOL) and AOL instant messenger.

We were the first generation applying to schools online and receiving our acceptance letters (at least some of them) via email.  We knew little about Internet safety, and we were more focused on the prospects of the Internet than the dangers.  What I experienced as a teen was just the beginning and I could never have dreamed how intertwined our lives would be with the web when I became an adult.

Internet Family Risks

Today, kids have the world at their fingertips.  They literally have unlimited information in their pockets at all times.  They are always reachable, always connected, and always entertained.  There is extensive research on how this is harmful to childhood development and how it negatively affects their ability to learn and grow.  There hindrances and barriers to happiness in the real world caused by a dopamine addiction that is fed through constant interactions on social media.  There is a strange dichotomy of having this level of access and information, and the negative effects and dangers of being perpetually connected online.

Internet Family Safety Plan

So, what can parents do to help their children learn to harness and access the powers of technology without exposing them to its potential darkness?  Here are five things all parents should do to help their children learn to use the internet safely:

  1. Talk openly with your children about this topic.  Don’t shy away of fear that you are being too intrusive.  Discuss your expectations, potential benefits, and potential risks.  Consistent talks will help to build trust between you and your child when it comes to social media.
  2. Make a rule that you will be checking your child’s social media interactions regularly.  It is a must that you are friends with your child and that you follow each other on social media.
  3. Use a resource like Common Sense Media to help guide you in your conversations with your child.
  4. Discuss the permanence of the internet with your child.  Once something is posted, it’s saved forever online.
  5. Set rules for phone and internet use, including limits on how much time they can use their devices.  Set an example by following these rules for yourself too!  The whole family will be happier and healthier!



How Parents Help Each Child Succeed in School

How Parents Help Each Child Succeed in School

As a special education teacher, one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that no two children learn the same way. Every student brings their unique strengths, needs, and learning styles into the classroom, so a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching just doesn’t work. This is where differentiated instruction comes in. Differentiated instruction allows teachers to meet students where they are, provide the support they need, and help them progress at a pace and in a way that works best for them.

Understanding the role of differentiated instruction in your child’s education can be incredibly helpful. Not only does it help you understand how your child’s teacher tailors instruction to meet their needs, but it also offers insight into how you can support your child’s learning at home.

What is Differentiated Instruction?

Differentiated instruction is a teaching method that adapts the content, process, and products of learning to meet the varying needs of students. It is grounded in the understanding that students come to the classroom with different backgrounds, learning styles, interests, and readiness levels. Rather than teaching every student in the same way, I adjust my lessons to ensure that all students can access the material and demonstrate their understanding in a way that suits them.

Educational researcher Carol Ann Tomlinson, a leader in differentiated instruction, emphasizes the importance of considering students’ differences in readiness, interests, and learning profiles when planning instruction. The goal is to ensure that all students are challenged appropriately without feeling overwhelmed or under-stimulated.

Why Differentiated Instruction Matters

1. Every Child is Unique

In my classroom, I see students at different points in their learning journey. Some may grasp new concepts quickly, while others need additional support or more time to master a skill. For example, during a reading lesson, I might have a student who is just learning to read sitting next to a child who is ready for chapter books. If I were to give both students the same assignment, one might feel frustrated and give up, while the other would be bored. Differentiated instruction allows me to tailor the learning experience so that each child is challenged at their level without feeling overwhelmed.

2. Engagement is Key to Learning

Another reason why differentiated instruction is so important is that it keeps students engaged in their learning. When students are given tasks that match their interests and abilities, they are more likely to stay motivated and invested in their education. Engagement is especially critical for students who may struggle with certain subjects, as it helps prevent them from becoming disengaged or frustrated.

In my classroom, I often give students choices in how they demonstrate their understanding. For example in math, if we are learning about areas and perimeters, some students might design a zoo or bedroom, while others might prefer solving math equations.

By offering options, I ensure that students can approach the material in a way that excites them and plays to their strengths. Self-determination theory, developed by psychologists Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, supports this approach, stating that students are more engaged when they feel a sense of autonomy in their learning.

3. Differentiation Promotes Equity

Equity in education means ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed. Differentiated instruction is key to achieving this. It’s not about giving every child the same resources or assignments but about meeting their individual needs and providing the right level of support. In math, for example, some students might benefit from manipulatives to visualize problems, while others are ready for more abstract reasoning. This flexibility ensures that all students can access the curriculum and make progress.

In secondary classrooms, this principle is just as important. As students prepare for life beyond school, differentiated instruction helps ensure that every student is challenged appropriately and has the skills they need to succeed in their life and career goals.

How Differentiated Instruction Looks in My Classroom

Differentiated instruction can take many forms depending on the subject matter and students’ needs. Here’s a look at how I apply it in different areas of my classroom:

  1. Differentiating Content: I adjust what students learn based on their current understanding. In reading, for instance, some students may read leveled books, while others tackle more complex texts. The goal is for each student to be challenged but not overwhelmed.
  2. Differentiating Process: This involves varying the ways students engage with the material. For example, during a math lesson, one group might work on hands-on activities, another might use digital tools, and some might receive direct instruction from me. These different approaches ensure that all students are making sense of the content in a way that works best for them.
  3. Differentiating Product: Students demonstrate their learning in different ways. After a unit on historical events, one student might create a timeline, another might write an essay, and a third might develop a creative project like a video. By offering choices, I ensure that students can showcase their strengths and interests.
  4. Differentiating the Learning Environment: The classroom setup also plays a role. I offer flexible seating options, including desks, standing tables, and floor spaces, so students can work in an environment that suits their learning style. Some students may need quiet spaces to focus, while others thrive in collaborative group settings.

How Parents Can Support Differentiation at Home

Parents play a crucial role in supporting differentiated instruction outside of the classroom. Here are a few ways you can help:

1. Embrace Your Child’s Learning Style

Every child learns differently. Some kids are hands-on learners, while others are more visual or auditory. Pay attention to how your child best absorbs information, and provide opportunities for them to learn in ways that resonate with them. For instance, if your child is a kinesthetic learner, you might use household items for hands-on math activities, like using coins to practice addition and subtraction.

2. Encourage Choice and Autonomy

Just as differentiated instruction in the classroom gives students choices, you can support this at home by giving your child options in how they complete their homework or explore a new topic. Offering them autonomy helps build their sense of responsibility and keeps them engaged in their learning.

3. Provide Additional Support or Challenge

If your child is struggling with a particular subject, work with their teacher to identify ways to support them at home. This might include additional practice with specific skills, using educational games or apps, or even working with a tutor. On the flip side, if your child is excelling, encourage them to delve deeper into subjects they are passionate about through extra reading, projects, or activities that go beyond what is covered in school.

4. Communicate with the Teacher

Differentiated instruction is most effective when there is open communication between home and school. If you have concerns about your child’s progress or if you notice they need more support or challenge, don’t hesitate to reach out to their teacher. Working together ensures that your child is getting the most out of their learning experience.

Differentiated instruction is at the heart of effective teaching. It allows teachers to meet students where they are, keep them engaged, and promote equity in the classroom. As parents, your involvement in supporting differentiation at home can make a significant difference in your child’s academic success. By embracing your child’s learning style, encouraging choice, providing support or challenge when needed, and maintaining open communication with their teacher, you help create a learning environment where your child can thrive both at school and at home.

 




Parent Volunteers At Your Child’s School

Parent Volunteers At Your Child’s School

Parent engagement is vital to the culture of a school. Too often, parent engagement is thought of in terms of getting parents to the school for a presentation, or engaging in a fundraiser to fund new classroom technologies. As we all know, parents are our students’ first teachers, and it is the role of the school to provide opportunities for parents to engage in meaningful ways. Just like our students, all of the parents at a school bring their own set of skills and their own, varied needs. Therefore, parent engagement cannot just be a “one-size-fits-all” approach where parents are invited to campus but never asked to participate in the work of educating our children. A parent engagement program needs to be varied, stimulating, and useful to both school programming and initiatives and also for the parents showing up to support.

Parents Are Valued At Bert Corona Charter School

Over the last few years at Bert Corona Charter School, we have been focusing our our efforts to plan strategically for each school year. Over the summer, our school leadership team dove into our data to analyze our effectiveness in a variety of areas. From our data dive, we identified areas of strength, as well as areas of growth and equity gaps. Before creating our plan, we held focus groups with students, parents, and teachers to help gather feedback about how we could improve. Our effort for the 2024 school year will be to build upon our strengths so we can address our areas of need and gaps as a community. Our YPICS theme this year is From Good to Great: Better Together. We will be working to engage our students, parents, and community members to help us continue to grow as a school community and to support our students on the pathway to success!

Through our work with parents over the summer, we have come up with four major ways in which our parents can get involved to help us continue our efforts to address equity gaps in education and at our school: committee work, regular analysis and feedback sessions, informational/educational workshops, and parents as paras (parents supporting our students in the classroom). This is our current plan for engagement, but many schools and districts have great resources and opportunities for their parents. They may look similar to those at Bert Corona Charter, or they may be slightly different.

Questions To Ask Your Child’s School

No matter what parent engagement looks like at your school, there are questions you can ask your school leaders and staff that will help you engage meaningfully. Depending on where your child’s school is in their parental engagement plan, you may even be able to drive improvements in their parent programming. These questions will help you better understand how your child’s school operates and will help you engage in ways that will be beneficial to your child and the entire school community:

  • What opportunities are there for parents to share our voice about educational programming at this school?
  • What types of workshops do you offer to help parents support learning at home?
  • What does your social-emotional support system look like at this school? What do I need to know to help support my child’s development at home?
  • What types of resources can I access to help my child if he/she/they are struggling academically?
  • How will progress and outcome data be shared with parents this year?
  • When will I have an opportunity to speak with my child’s teacher(s)? How can support success in the classroom?
  • What types of volunteer opportunities are there for parents at our school?
  • How will we celebrate growth and achievement as a community this year?

Whatever the engagement program or opportunity, parent engagement is key to student success. Look for opportunities to participate and show up at your child’s school whenever possible.  Your child, and the school, need and appreciate your support.




Summer Play Options for Kids

Summer Play Options for Kids

It’s summertime and our children are excited about laying around and relaxing for endless days. They may run outside and ride their bikes, garden, or explore creeks and nature. Or they may glue themselves to television reruns and computer screens. Each summer, parents struggle with ensuring that their children have sufficient stimulation without getting lost watching television shows or playing computer games. Other parents struggle with overscheduling their children to participate in various camps. This ensures that children have proper supervision while parents are gone from home with jobs and family obligations.

15 Summer Activities

As parents juggle their lives to support their families, here are 15 types of summer activities you and your child can select to ensure that they are stimulated, learning, and still not overscheduled:

  • Parks and recreation departments offer a variety of programs that can include one hour to full day classes and camps in sports, art projects, and various recreational activities. Kids can also intern by helping adults in younger age programs. Middle school students can learn CPR and basic babysitting skills. Others can participate as teacher helpers in preschool activities.
  • There are a variety of science and technology (STEM or STEAM) programs offered at local colleges and through various nonprofit organizations. Students can learn how to code, create Lego types of projects, and invent new contraptions that provide a specific service.
  • Local school districts provide summer school remedial and enrichment programs that reinforce literacy and mathematical skill development.
  • Community based organizations provide weekly summer day camps centered around local themes and conclude with a weekly field trip to an activity that reinforces them. For example, students may learn about the skills required to ride and maintain their bicycles. Then on Friday, they may take a 10-mile bike ride at a recreational area.
  • Local churches convene summer bible schools where students learn more about their religion while socializing and playing with other children and friends in their church community.
  • Art schools host intensive summer art camps where students learn to draw, paint, create modeling clay creatures, and nature collages.
  • Sporting camps are abundantly offered through colleges, community-based organizations, and park programs.
  • Sewing shops sponsor sewing summer programs where children learn how to use a sewing machine while designing and sewing a dress, doll clothes, or a creative product.
  • Computer camps teach children how to use their computer with various computer applications. Kids can learn how to design an Excel spreadsheet, create directories, use math applications, research topics of interest, or learn word processing. Kids can create graphics for cards, newsletters, or business cards.
  • Creative writing classes are offered at local colleges and community-based agencies for kids of all ages. They can learn how to write and self-publish books or submit a book proposal to a publisher.
  • Students can apply for internships to explore future careers.
  • Community-based organizations offer internships for students to assist in various community events including beach and waterway clean-up days, running events, homeless shelter meal and clothing distributions, and computer application projects.
  • Students can learn how to write resumes sponsored by various organizations to support them in applying for jobs and internships.
  • Children can create resumes promoting services that they would like to provide their neighbors. These may include serving as a mother’s helper, a babysitter, a gardener, a senior companion, or animal sitter. They can provide vacation support services, or collect recycling materials.
  • Field trips can be organized by meeting with the parents of your child’s friends. Each family can host various play date events throughout the summer with a specific theme. Trips can focus on a sport, art activity, science exploration, or with a social-studies focus at a local museum. Children can learn financial literacy by balancing a checkbook. They can organize family photos or research your family’s ancestorial history.

Sharing Treasured Experiences and Memories

In the comments section below, share some of your most cherished summer activities with parents and teachers. Much success and serenity as you and your child identify a summer filled with playful moments of treasured experiences and memories.