Child Advocate
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January 2009 Issue 5, Volume 17
Every Child Can Learn
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Contents
Focus Day in Olympia Coming Soon!
February 26, 2009
8:30 am—4:00 pm Columbia Room, Legislative Building Rally on the Capitol steps from 12:00 noon—1:00 pm
A full day of activities is planned including:
s Briefings on WSPTA’s priority issues s Visits with legislators s Networking with other child advocates s Additional learning opportunities Look for more information on the WSPTA website soon! www. wastatepta.org
Test Taking: Tips and Strategies for Helping Students Do Their Best
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How to Help Your Children Succeed at Their Own Pace
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Math & Science: Building Competence and Confidence
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Pressure for Success: What Parents Need to Know...
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Develop Your Child’s Reading and Writing Skills
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The Child Advocate is published online every month from September through June by the Washington State PTA, 2003 65th Avenue West, Tacoma, WA 98466-6215, (253) 565-2153. Contributors are welcome. Call the State PTA office for guidelines. Whenever PTA is used it also refers to PTSA. PTA is a registered trademark of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers.
Child Advocate
The
a Washington State PTA parent involvement publication
Washington State PTA 2003 65th Avenue West Tacoma, WA 98466-6215
WSPTA Vision, Mission and Goals
Laura Bay, Washington State PTA President Bill Williams, Washington State PTA Executive Director Karen Fisker-Andersen, Editor
VISION:
“Making every child’s potential a reality.”
MISSION:
PTA is: ■ A powerful voice for all children, ■ A relevant resource for families and communities, and ■ A strong advocate for the education and well-being of every child. The Washington State PTA accomplishes the mission of PTA by
■ Speaking on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community, and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children; ■ Supporting parents* in developing skills to raise, protect and advocate for their children; and ■ Encouraging parent* and community involvement. * Parent may include adults who play an important role in a child’s family life since other adults (grandparents, aunts, uncles, or guardians) may carry the primary responsibility for a child’s health, welfare, education and safety.
Phone: (253) 565-2153 or 1-800-562-3804 Fax: (253) 565-7753
Website: www.wastatepta.org Email: wapta@wastatepta.org
Test Taking:
Tips and Strategies for Helping Students Do Their Best
A ll students can benefit from learning how to effectively prepare for tests, cope with test anxiety, and acquire some basic test-taking skills. Preparing for Tests
Cramming for tests the night before is not an effective way to learn information. Encourage your students to start studying for tests several days before the test day. Teach kids to break the information up into manageable pieces to learn each evening, saving the final evening before the test to review what they have already learned, and to take a practice test to determine what they still need to study more. Make sure your students know what information will be on the test and what type of test it will be (essay, fill in the blank, multiple choice), so they can make up a practice test. If teachers are not clear with students about what is covered on the test, they can use their text book, class notes and homework assignments,
The Child Advocate, January 2009
and previous tests the students have taken in this class to guide their efforts. Encourage your students to prepare flash cards to help them quiz themselves on new information. Parents can also help by orally quizzing students at the end of each study session. Try to keep it light by helping them think of creative and fun ways to remember information they are struggling with. Test Anxiety
Although we want our children to do their best on tests, we also want our kids to know that one test isn’t going to determine the outcome of their lives. Many children who suffer from test anxiety, are unable to recall information that they know because their extreme fear of tests inhibits their ability to do their best. To help your children with test anxiety, study with them to make sure they know the information. Reassure them that you only expect them to try their best and that you
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will love them no matter what their outcome on the test is. If your child knows the information well and is not able to demonstrate this knowledge on a test, ask your child’s teacher if a verbal test may be given or if there is another way your child can demonstrate his knowledge of the subject to the teacher. Test Taking Tips Before the test—Fix a dinner for your students with lots of carbohydrates the night before the test. Make sure your students go to bed at a decent hour so they get plenty of sleep. On the test day, encourage your children to eat a breakfast (and lunch, if the test is after lunch) that is high in proteins. Also, limit the amount of caffeine your students have on test day as this will dehydrate them. q Starting a test—Your students should remember to breathe and try to stay calm when the tests are handed out. Encourage your children to think positive thoughts, such as reminding themselves that they have studied and they can do this. If your students have memorized any formulas, they can write those down when they receive their test papers. q Taking the test—If your students can’t remember something
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when taking the test, they should skip that problem and come back to it later. q Finishing the test—If your students finish the test early, then encourage them to go back and answer any problems they skipped, check to make sure their answers are neat and legible, review the questions to make sure they followed directions and didn’t only partially answer them; and rework any problems they have had trouble with in the past. Reacting to Test Scores
The way parents react to test scores has a significant impact on how students feel about their ability to take tests. Parents should always remain calm and look for what they can learn from their children’s test scores. Is your child having difficulty following the directions, reading the instructions, doing the test problems, showing her work? Did he misunderstand what was being tested? How could she prepare more effectively next time? Test scores should be used to help students learn what they have missed, not make them feel bad. n
When Their Best Doesn’t Meet the Mark…
How to Help Your Children Succeed At Their Own Pace Kids learn at their own pace. Some will learn things quickly; others
take longer. This can be difficult for kids to understand. From their perspective, they are working just as hard (if not harder) than the next person and it may not seem fair that they are not doing as well. It is natural for them to get discouraged in this situation, possibly sparking self-doubt, anger, or jealousy. It is also easy for parents to put too much emphasis on standardized testing scores and other assessments, and react harshly toward their children to motivate them to try harder or work more carefully when these scores miss the mark. In order for children to build confidence and capabilities in school, they need a positive and non-alarmist attitude from their parents. Of course we want to see our children succeed in school and in life, but through time and practice all kids can succeed—even the ones who have difficulties initially. Following are some tips to help parents react to their children's school experience in a positive and meaningful way: l Don’t let your own attitudes and emotions from past unsuccessful experiences in school or with certain subjects interfere with your child’s abilities and attitudes towards those subjects. l Remember that all kids can learn and their abilities will improve with time and practice. Reassure your kids who seem to need more practice that they are learning how to work hard, which is a very valuable life skill. Oftentimes the students who have the most difficult time learning at a young age are more empathetic to others and make wonderful teachers, counselors, and excel in
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other positions that require excellent people-skills. If homework has become a battle in your home and you fear that your attempts to help are actually damaging your relationship with your child, you should look into another way to be involved. Be involved by finding someone who can help your child who is more neutral in the situation—such as another relative, a neighbor, the teacher or a tutor. l Don’t expect perfection. There is more than one route to your child’s successful life and happiness. Finally, remember that your child’s grades do not reflect who you are as a parent. Look towards the relationship you have with your child and your child’s character, rather than his grades to indicate your success as a parent. n
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a Washington State PTA parent involvement magazine
Math & Science
Building Competence and Confidence
M ath and science are important subjects for all students to become competent in, regardless of their career intentions. For that reason, students should take classes that further their math and science education throughout their school experience. Although some students may find these subjects more difficult, with our technology-driven society, proficiency in these skills are essential. Strategies for Improving Math Skills:
Math may not come easily for all students, but with plenty of practice and a little creativity, all students can learn it. If your student is one of those kids who just finds math especially difficult, try some of these helpful tips: q Avoid information overload. When a problem seems overwhelming to your child, help her break the problem into several smaller problems. For example, if your student is overwhelmed with an algebra problem, have her first combine the like terms. Treat this as a separate problem. Then have your student write the problem with the like terms combined on another line of her paper to solve for the variable. Also, it may be helpful for some students
The Child Advocate, January 2009
to have a blank piece of paper handy to cover the portion of the problem they have already completed to help them stay focused on what they currently need to solve. q Keep it neat. Have your children use graph paper on their math assignments to help them line up the numbers for easier computations. Neatness counts when it comes to math—if you can’t read the numbers, you are more than likely to make a computation mistake. q Draw it. Whenever possible, encourage your child to draw out the problem. This will often help a student get started on a problem when they are stuck. If you have manipulatives you can use at home, this can help struggling students as well. For example, use base 10 blocks, coins, or beans. q Check it. Show your children how to check their work whenever possible. This is an especially good habit for kids who struggle in math. q Let them teach you. Encourage your children to explain the lesson to you when they get home from school. If they are not able to explain it, then together with your child, review the lesson right out of the textbook. Do some sample problems together. Not only
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will this process help you understand their lesson, it will eliminate much of the frustration your child feels from having to re-do an entire assignment because he didn’t fully understand the concepts covered in the lesson when he started the assignment. q Get help. If you are not able to help your student at home, find someone who can—the teacher, a spouse, relative, older sibling, an older neighborhood student who is interested in earning a little extra money, or if your resources allow—a tutor or a tutoring center. Many times, getting some extra help is something that is needed for short periods of time while a student is learning a new concept. q Make it relevant. Show your children how you use math every day—in shopping, balancing your checkbook, planning vacations, managing investments, cooking, and more. q Make it fun. Play games with your children, such as Monopoly and Yahtzee. q Pay attention to key words. Teach kids how to read a story problem and clue into specific words that indicate how they can solve the problem. This could include: “find the sum” to indicate addition is needed; “the difference” to indicate subtraction, “the product” to indicate multiplication, and so on.
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If your child is a slower learner, and needs more practice than her classmates to learn the materials, then reward her for all that extra work with fun incentives, such as a sleepover with friends, a special day with dad, or an unexpected surprise. Tell your child often how much you appreciate her hard work and tenacity.
Provide incentives for extra practice.
Boosting Your Child’s Interest in Science
In Washington state, there is an abundance of geologic landforms to visit and learn about—from volcanoes, faults, rivers, valleys, mountains, oceans, caves, forests and more. Go on family field trips and to museums to discover and spark your children’s unique interests in science. Do an experiment together with your children, using the scientific method (Observing, Predicting, Testing, and Explaining) To get started go to the library. There are plenty of books to choose from that have fun, simple experiments for kids. Choose science television shows for your family entertainment. There are plenty of good ones to choose from, including Mythbusters, Planet Earth, Extreme Engineering and many others. n
Pressure For Success What Parents Need to Know...
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ressure caused by tests, peers, or daily schoolwork can be overwhelming for some children. If you find your children constantly complaining of headaches or stomachaches on school mornings, becoming unusually moody or reclusive, or suddenly exhibiting nervous habits such as nail biting, clinginess, or sucking on a sleeve, or has trouble sleeping at night, your children may be having difficulty coping with stress. Even if you suspect that stress might be the problem, it’s a good idea to have your children checked out by their pediatrician to rule out anything else. Some suggestions to help your child cope with stress: q Put things in perspective. Help your child understand that there are things far worse than failing a test, not making the sports team, or not getting invited to a certain party. q Have high, but realistic expectations. Children shouldn’t be expected to win scholarships, but should be expected to try their best. q Praise your children when they successfully cope with disappointments. Recognize that developing resilience is an important life skill and a significant accomplishment. q Encourage hard work, planning ahead, and learning from mistakes. Take the pressure off the outcome, and focus more on the process of successful learning. q Help your students get organized and teach them how to study more effectively. If your students have difficulties with planning ahead to study for tests, and are constantly cramming and doing projects at the last minute, it is very appropriate for parents to step in and show them how to manage their
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projects and their time better. If your children are feeling pressure because they don’t have enough time to do their homework, or study for tests, then reassess your children’s activities and cut back on the things they don’t really love.
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Cut back on activities if needed.
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Help your children discover their hidden interests and talents. This will build their self-esteem and will help
strengthen them when their peers don’t treat them as they should, or when they experience other setbacks. q Establish healthy stress-busting habits at your home. Eat dinner together as a family, have daily conversations with your children about what’s happening in their lives, go for a walk together and continue to build relationships with your children. q Access help from the school counselor or a health care professional if stress continues to be a problem for your child. n
a Washington State PTA parent involvement magazine
Develop Your Child’s...
Reading and Writing Skills R
eading competency is essential in all academic subjects at school. Although some kids seem to be wired to read, others need more parental involvement to pique their interest. No matter what your children’s skill levels, most kids enjoy having some time when parents read aloud to them. Not only does this time provide a wonderful bonding time between parent and child, it also improves vocabulary, listening skills, and helps a child learn to enjoy a good story. Many parents find bedtime to be a perfect time for reading aloud to children. Other parents are too tired by the end of the day for this. If this is the case for you, find another time that you have the energy to do this on a daily basis—maybe for 10 minutes before the children go to school in the morning, or after you have put the dinner in the oven. Think about your schedule and make it your goal this year to read to your children at a certain time every day. Choose books that are interesting for your children and for you. This will make it easier to keep to your goal. Use expression in your voice and take time to explain new words that your children may not be familiar with. Keep your kids engaged in the book by asking them what
The Child Advocate, January 2009
they think will happen next or why a character did something. Ask them other questions that might help them become more engaged in the story. Helping Struggling Readers
Learning to read is not a race! Just because your child isn’t the first reader or the strongest reader in his class doesn’t mean that he can’t be a very good reader someday. Learning to read sometimes just requires more time and practice for some children. If this is the case for your child, following are some tips to help: q Reread favorite books. It’s okay for kids to read the same books over again. q Let your child read books that are below his grade level as well as at grade level. Even comic books can be helpful for struggling readers. Magazines can also be appealing to students. There is a wide variety of children’s magazines available on special interest topics from sports and science, to nature and animals. q Stories with pictures, short chapters, more space between lines, and shorter sentences are more appealing to struggling readers. q Series books can motivate students to continue reading, or encourage your children to read the novel before seeing it when it is re-
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leased as a movie. Ask your local librarian for suggestions on books that are appropriate for your child’s abilities and interests. q Emerging readers need a lot of time reading aloud. Make sure that time is built into your daily schedule. q Remember there is more than one approach to reading. Students can sound out words, figure out what a word is based on the context, or simply by memorizing words. q Check out some books on tape to play in your car while you are driving around town. Kids can follow along in the book if they are not prone to getting carsick. q Give gifts of books, subscriptions to magazines, gift cards to bookstores and take regular trips to the library with your kids. Another idea is to trade books with friends. q Keep some small books in your car and in your purse so your kids can read while they wait for appointments or in the car, instead of using an electronic game. q Communicate with your child’s teacher about her reading skills. Ask what you can be doing at home to help her improve her reading skills and ask if any tutoring or a reading specialist is needed. q Establish special days to stay in your pajamas and ‘read the day away’ with your kids. Let them stay up late during a vacation from school so they can read in bed as long as they want into the night. This might be especially fun for older kids who may not be required to read as much for school.
Learning to Write
A natural talent is not required to learn to write well. Although children who read more tend to be better writers, with practice all kids can learn to write well. There are three basic skills that children learn when they learn to write. These skills include: organizing ideas, converting ideas to written sentences, and editing. The more kids practice these three skills, the more proficient they become as writers. The best way to learn these skills is to encourage kids to practice them in ways that are fun for them, such as writing letters to their friends, keeping daily journals, or writing short stories. n
WSPTA Convention 2009 Convention Highlights... Dynamic guest speakers...
From both the National PTA and the community!
Convention classes...The biggest selection ever to
be offered at a Washington State PTA Convention!
Displays...View award-winning PTA programs, unique fund-
raisers, and the Reflections display!
Mark your calendars! Plan to attend on May 1-3, 2009 at the Seattle Airport DoubleTree Hotel. Registration materials will be coming in February.
Convention Volunteers Needed…
Be Inspired...Be inspired and renewed in your journey as a child advocate, a volunteer leader, and a parent! Have Fun...Have fun with friends and meet other PTA leaders from around the state!
Learn...With new, innovative classes set in strands including leadership, parent involvement, and advocacy, you will have endless learning opportunities!
Get Involved… Vote on candidates and bylaw amendments to determine the future of the Washington State PTA! Get New Ideas...Learn more about the programs
other PTAs are doing and discover some new fundraising opportunities for your PTA!
Many volunteers are needed at the WSPTA Convention! Volunteers are needed in these areas: Exhibitor Security, Recognitions, Pre-registration, General Sessions, Information Booth, Worker Room, Hospitality and more. Please be sure to contact me soon if you are interested in volunteering for complimentary attendance as the number of volunteer positions available is being reduced this year and will fill up fast. Convention Volunteer workers must contribute a minimum of three hours to receive free attendance for that day. Volunteer workers may attend classes, General Sessions, and visit all exhibits and vendors. To sign up to volunteer or to obtain information about volunteering at convention, please email Sharon Pfeiffer at conv2008volunteers@gmail.com or call 206-244-3389.