Simonton Elementary School

02/02/2024

The smart way to learn requires effort
Effort is essential for academic success. Students who try will learn and get smarter. Remind your
child that when it comes to intelligence, "It's what you do with what you have that counts." Offer
encouragement by saying often that you are sure that with effort and persistence, your student can
learn anything. And when your child makes progress, be sure to say "You see? Your hard work is
paying off."

Children who think they are failures because they are not "smart" often feel hopeless and give up. But every teacher knows that talent is just one factor leading to success—along with hard work, persistence, paying attention, getting work done on time, attending every class, working well with othe...

01/12/2024

When helping with schoolwork, think ABC
Helping your child with schoolwork can be as simple as ABC (and D and E)! A is for Attitude. Model a
positive attitude toward learning for your child. B is for Breaks. Let your student take short breaks
during study sessions. C is for Choice. Let your child choose what to work on first. D is for Directions.
Your child should read them carefully, then restate them. E is for Encouragement. Find positive
things to say about your elementary schooler's efforts.

01/05/2024

Chapter books make great 'installment' read alouds
Young children have short attention spans, so short books work well for read-aloud times. But
as they grow older, children can enjoy longer, more challenging books. Reading books aloud on
the "installment plan" is a great way to read with an older elementary schooler. Try reading a
chapter each night. Then, stop and ask what your child thinks might happen next. Who is your
child’s favorite character? Why?

Young children generally have short attention spans. So families usually find that short books are best for read-aloud times. But as kids grow older, they can enjoy listening to longer books. Reading them aloud also gives you a chance to share books that may be too hard for your child to read indepe...

11/10/2023

Make time for fun, relaxing reading
Helping with schoolwork isn't the only way to support your child's education. One of the best things
you can do is to encourage your student to read for fun and relaxation. Print out a story your child
can read in the bathtub. Cozy up under a blanket and read by flashlight. To find more time, limit
passive screen activities and offer reading as a replacement. The first two weeks may be hard, but it
will get easier.
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10/27/2023

Try a sweet way to encourage independence
You want your child to ask for help with schoolwork when necessary. But some kids ask for help
with every problem. To encourage some independent problem-solving, put out a bowl with a few
small treats, like candies or grapes. When your child asks for help, give it, but remove a treat.
When the treats are gone, so is the help. Say that your child can eat anything left in the bowl
when the schoolwork is complete. If your child is truly stuck, let the teacher know.
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10/20/2023

With your help, your child can do great things
Research makes it clear: All families, no matter the adults' own level of education, can help their
children succeed academically. To do it, set high (but still realistic) goals for your child. Then
stress the importance of persistence, and praise effort and progress. Be firm about limits and
enthusiastic about school. Show respect for your child's ideas, and share your family's values.

It's easy for families to be so focused on what their child is currently learning that they lose sight of some of the other important ways to support students. Educational research makes it clear that you can also help your child achieve academically by:

10/13/2023

Make a place for 'works in progress'
You don't want your child's unfinished projects spread all over the house for weeks. But it's
important not to make the preparation and cleanup so time-consuming that your student puts off
doing the project until the last minute. Find a space (the top of a bookcase, a box in the closet)
where your child can store the unfinished project and supplies. Make it easy for your student to
pull the project out and work on it often.

Whether it's a colored map of Argentina or a science project involving lots of steps, a school project can sometimes take more than one work session to complete. If kids have to get out all the necessary materials before starting work on a project—and then put them all away when they're finished.....

09/29/2023

09/29/2023

Encourage the qualities that help kids achieve
What makes a child an achiever? One study found that high-achieving students tend to be selfreliant, and realistic about their strengths and weaknesses. They set challenging but realistic
goals, plan carefully, and know how to find and use help. They expect obstacles and prepare for
them, and they check progress regularly. Foster these qualities and watch your child achieve
great things.

09/08/2023

Use routines to establish helpful learning habits
You probably have lots of routines that make your life easier. Your child needs your help developing
some, too. Here are three school success routines to help your child establish: 1. Have your child put
everything needed for school the next day in a designated place in the evening to avoid a morning
scramble. 2. Have your child work on assignments at the same time of day. 3. Read together for 20
minutes every day.

As an adult, you probably have lots of routines that make your life a little easier. Maybe you always put your keys in the same place. Or pay your bills on the same day. Or exercise at the same time.

10/14/2022

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Mathnasium of North Lawrenceville
900 Duluth HWY
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Phone: 678.756.1392
Mathnasium.com\northlawrenceville

Looking for a math tutor, Mathnasium provides a customized math learning program where math makes sense to kids. Get an expert tutor now!

10/14/2022

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