Practical Strategies for Parents

LKDSB School Council ConferenceOctober 24, 2009

Ruth Mattingleyrmattingley@cogeco.ca

Preparing Our Children for the Future

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The literacy demands that children will face as 21st century workers and citizens far exceed what has been required in the past (Moore, Bean, Birdyshaw & Rycik, 1999).

We are living in exponential times.

There are 31 billion searches on Google every month.

In 2006 this number was 2.7 billion.

(Source: You Tube: Did You Know?

Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod)

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The top 10 in-demand jobs in 2010....

did not exist in 2004!

(Source: You Tube: Did You Know?

Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod)

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The amount of new technical information is doubling every 2 years.

For students starting a 4 year technical degree this means that.....

....half of what they learn in their first year of study will be outdated by their third year of study.

(Source: You Tube: Did You Know?Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod)

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“First and foremost, I look for someone who asks good questions…We can teach them the technical stuff, but we can’t teach them how to ask good questions – how to think”.

Tony Wagner, “The Schooling Students Need”. Educational Leadership. Volume 66. Number 2. October 2008.

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Employability Skills 2000+Fundamental Skills Personal

Management SkillsTeamwork Skills

Communicate Demonstrate Positive Attitudes

Work with others

Manage Information Be Responsible Participate in Projects and Tasks

Use Numbers Be Adaptable

Think & Solve Problems

Learn Continuously

Work Safely

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Conference Board of Canada

Parents are a child’s first

and most important teacher.

A Proven Fact

When parents are actively involved in their child’s education student achievement improves.

Research shows.....

Research has highlighted a correlation between parental involvement and student achievement in school, however the "how" of parental involvement continues to be a challenge (Greenwood & Hickman, 1991; Seefeldt, 1985; Voydanoff & Donnelly, 1996, in Peña, 2000; Gutman & Midgley, 2000).

Research Shows.....In schools where student achievement was reported,

Loucks (1992) found that parent involvement was a significant factor in both accelerated and sustained student academic performance.

Parent Involvement: The Key To Improved Student Achievement Steven R. Hara and Daniel J. Burke

School Community Journal, Vol. 8, No. 2, Fall/Winter 1998

Research Shows….Parent involvement has been linked with student

outcomes including increased achievement test results, a decrease in dropout rate, improved attendance, improved student behavior, higher grades, higher grade point average, greater commitment to schoolwork, and improved attitude toward school.

Parent Involvement and Student Achievement at the Middle Level, Research Summary #18, 2000

National Middle School Association, 4151 Executive Parkway, Suite 300 Westerville,

Ohio

Research Shows…

Studies of districts that have narrowed the achievement gap identify family and community engagement as paramount.

How to Get Involved Communicating

Helping at Home

Attending School Events

Volunteering

Participating in Decision-Making

The Parental Role in a Child’s Education – Research Shows…

Family participation in education is TWICE as predictive of students’ academic success as family socioeconomic status

86% of the general public believes that support from parents is the most important way to improve schools

School age children spend 70% of their waking hours outside of school

Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario

Strategies that Work

Reading books with their children is one of the most important things that parents can do to help their children become readers.

Strengthening Literacy SkillsDiscussing ideas and sharing points of view are

central aspects of literacy.

As a parent or guardian you can engage your child in conversations that encourage them to share their thoughts and opinions.

What is LiteracyLiteracy is more than the ability to read materials in print.

Literacy is the ability to read and write, to listen and speak to others, and to view and to represent ideas and images in various media. It is also the ability to think critically while doing all of these.

Knowing how to read and write paves the way to success in school that will build self-confidence and will motivate your child to set high expectations.

(“Helping Your Child With Reading and Writing: A Guide for Parents”. Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2007)

Reading with your child every day is the most important thing you can do to help him or her learn at school.

Tips to Support Literacy DevelopmentTalk with your ChildMake Reading and Writing FunRead Every DayTalk About BooksListen to Your Child ReadSet an Example for Your Child

Adapted from: (abc123 - www.edu.gov.on.ca/abc123)

Critical Literacy

Critical literacy is the practice of examining and discussing the underlying messages in print or in other media to better understand the world in which we live.

Getting our Boys Excited about LiteracyHave the right stuff available for boysChoose texts with positive male role modelsLet them chooseRead togetherUse graphic organizers Let them talkKeep it real Get the net

(Me Read, No Way: A Practical Guide to Improving Boys’ Literacy Skills, Queen’s Printer of Ontario, 2004)

Supporting Your Child with MathematicsChildren learn mathematics best through activities that

encourage them to:InvestigateThink about what they are investigatingGather information, organize it, and act on itUse information that they have gathered from a variety of

sources to solve problems;Explain how they reached their solutions

Adapted from:•abc123 - www.edu.gov.on.ca/abc123•Helping Your Child With Reading and Writing: A Guide for Parents”. Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2007)

Tips to Support Mathematics DevelopmentBe positive about mathematics

Make mathematics part of your child’s day

Encourage your child to give explanations

Supporting Your Child with Homework

Challenges

Busy schedules Student doesn’t want parent involvedStudent would rather watch TVStudent’s friends don’t value school workNot sure how to help

How to Help Your Child with HomeworkCommunicateSet Realistic GoalsEstablish a RoutineHelp Your Child Get OrganizedNever do your child’s homework!Expect and praise progress and effortFocus and build on your child’s strengths

Questions to Ask at A School Conference

What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses?How are my child’s work habits?What areas should my child focus on for improvement?Could we examine an assignment my child has

completed with the rubric for assessment?What subjects does my child enjoy most?How does my child get along with the other students?Are there any issues of which I should be aware?How can I assist my child at home?

Advice for Parents:“How can I help my child do better in school this year?”

Communicate effectively with your child’s teacher to address any issues or to advise the teacher of any challenges that your child faces outside the classroom

Keep informed Stay positive Be pro-active when you have questions or concerns

Resources for Parents

LKDSB website – www.lkdsb.net/parentsMinistry of Education – www.edu.gov.on.ca abc123 - www.edu.gov.on.ca/abc123

Triangulated Influence

“Where do children learn and grow? At home. At school. In the community. Students develop in all contexts simultaneously and continuously. Thus, the bridges of home, school and community are inevitably interconnected.”

Joyce Epstein, 2001, pg.161

http://www.curriculum.org/leadingandlearning/main.html#Main

Parents sew the seeds of greatness!

Parents are like shuttles on a loom. They join the threads of the past with threads of the future and leave their own bright patterns as they go.

- Fred Rogers

There are only two lasting bequests we can give our children ... one is roots, the other wings.

-- Stephen Covey