Why is it important to arrive to class on time

Make it clear that you aren't there to spy — you're just trying to help out the school community. Check the school or teacher website to find volunteer opportunities that fit your schedule. Even giving a few hours during the school year can make a strong impression on your child.

Sick kids should stay home from school if they have a fever, are nauseated, vomiting, or have diarrhea. Kids who lose their appetite, are clingy or lethargic, complain of pain, or who just don't seem to be acting "themselves" should also might benefit from a sick day. Otherwise, it's important that kids arrive at school on time every day, because having to catch up with class work and homework can be stressful and interfere with learning. If your child is missing a lot of school due to illness , make sure to check with the teacher about any work that needs to be completed.

It's also a good idea to know the school's attendance policy. Sometimes students want to stay home from school because of problems with classmates, assignments or grades, or even teachers. This can result in real symptoms, like headaches or stomachaches. If you think there's a problem at school, talk with your child — and then perhaps with the teacher — to find out more about what's causing the anxiety.

The school counselor or school psychologist also might be able to help. Also try to avoid late bedtimes, which can result in tardy and tired students. A consistent sleep schedule also can help students. It's usually easy to talk with elementary students about what's going on in class and the latest news at school. You probably know what books your child is reading and are familiar with the math being worked on. But parents can get busy and forget to ask the simple questions, which can have an effect on children's success at school.

Make time to talk with your child every day , so he or she knows that what goes on at school is important to you. When kids know parents are interested in their academic lives, they'll take school seriously as well. Because communication is a two-way street, the way you talk and listen to your child can influence how well your child listens and responds.

It's important to listen carefully, make eye contact, and avoid multitasking while you talk. Be sure to ask questions that go beyond "yes" or "no" answers. Besides during family meals, good times to talk include car trips though eye contact isn't needed here, of course , walking the dog, preparing meals, or standing in line at a store.

These early years of schooling are an important time for parents to be informed and supportive about their child's education and to set the stage for children to develop and grow as young learners. Reviewed by: Kathryn Hoffses, PhD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size.

Visit the School and Its Website Knowing the physical layout of the school building and grounds can help you connect with your child when you talk about the school day. On the school website, you can find information about: the school calendar staff contact information upcoming events like class trips testing dates Many teachers maintain their own websites that detail homework assignments, test dates, and classroom events and trips. Support Homework Expectations Homework in grade school reinforces and extends classroom learning and helps kids practice important study skills.

Teach Organizational Skills When kids are organized, they can stay focused instead of spending time hunting things down and getting sidetracked. It can be as simple as: homework soccer put clothes away No one is born with great organizational skills — they need to be learned and practiced.

Teach Study Skills Studying for a test can be scary for young kids, and many educators assume parents will help their kids during the grade-school years. Know the Disciplinary Policies Schools usually cite their disciplinary policies sometimes called the student code of conduct in student handbooks. Get Involved Whether kids are just starting kindergarten or entering their last year of elementary school, there are many good reasons for parents to volunteer at school.

Take Attendance Seriously Sick kids should stay home from school if they have a fever, are nauseated, vomiting, or have diarrhea.

Here, then, are some ideas for college teachers for use in their courses in the new academic year:. The University of Nebraska—Lincoln offers numerous advanced degrees and certification programs in education and teaching. Skip to main content. The rationale for these methods is based on the following needs: to help students make the transition from high school and summer activities to learning in college; to direct students' attention to the immediate situation for learning--the hour in the classroom; to spark intellectual curiosity--to challenge students; to support beginners and neophytes in the process of learning in the discipline; to encourage the students' active involvement in learning; and to build a sense of community in the classroom.

Here, then, are some ideas for college teachers for use in their courses in the new academic year: Helping Students Make Transitions Hit the ground running on the first day of class with substantial content. Take attendance: roll call, clipboard, sign in, seating chart.

Introduce teaching assistants by slide, short presentation, or self-introduction. Hand out an informative, artistic, and user-friendly syllabus. Give an assignment on the first day to be collected at the next meeting.

Start laboratory experiments and other exercises the first time lab meets. Call attention written and oral to what makes good lab practice: completing work to be done, procedures, equipment, clean up, maintenance, safety, conservation of supplies, full use of lab time. Give a learning style inventory to help students find out about themselves. Direct students to the Academic Success Center for help on basic skills.

Tell students how much time they will need to study for this course. Hand out supplemental study aids: library use, study tips, supplemental readings and exercises. Explain how to study for the kind of tests you give. Put in writing a limited number of ground rules regarding absence, late work, testing procedures, grading, and general decorum, and maintain these.

Announce office hours frequently and hold them without fail. Show students how to handle learning in large classes and impersonal situations. Give sample test questions. Give sample test question answers. Explain the difference between legitimate collaboration and academic dishonesty; be clear when collaboration is wanted and when it is forbidden.

Seek out a different student each day and get to know something about him or her. Ask students to write about what important things are currently going on in their lives. Find out about students' jobs; if they are working, how many hours a week, and what kind of jobs they hold. Directing Students' Attention Greet students at the door when they enter the classroom. Start the class on time. Make a grand stage entrance to hush a large class and gain attention. Give a pre-test on the day's topic.

Start the lecture with a puzzle, question, paradox, picture, or cartoon on slide or transparency to focus on the day's topic. Elicit student questions and concerns at the beginning of the class and list these on the chalkboard to be answered during the hour.

Have students write down what they think the important issues or key points of the day's lecture will be. Ask the person who is reading the student newspaper what is in the news today. Challenging Students Have students write out their expectations for the course and their own goals for learning. Use variety in methods of presentation every class meeting. Stage a figurative "coffee break" about twenty minutes into the hour; tell an anecdote, invite students to put down pens and pencils, refer to a current event, shift media.

Incorporate community resources: plays, concerts, the State Fair, government agencies, businesses, the outdoors. Show a film in a novel way: stop it for discussion, show a few frames only, anticipate ending, hand out a viewing or critique sheet, play and replay parts.

Share your philosophy of teaching with your students. Set the alarm for not only yourself but for your children at least 15 minutes earlier than you would wake up. If you find that you need a little more time for your morning routine, add an additional 5 minutes to your alarm. What to wear seems to be one of the most time-consuming tasks in the morning.

Have your child pick out his or her clothes, including socks and shoes, the night before. Each evening after homework is completed and checked, have your child put everything back in the backpack.

Getting a head start on lunches is easy. After dinner, have your child help pack his or her lunchbox.