Getting Ready For Kindergarten

Practice getting ready every day for a few weeks before school starts. Get her up with an alarm, have her get dressed and eat breakfast, and be ready to go for the bus or for her ride.

What immunizations do states require?

You must have proof that your child has had the following in most states:
- Three doses (3) of Tetanus and Diphtheria, usually received as DPT, DT or Td vaccine
- Three doses (3) of Polio vaccine
- One dose (1) each of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella after one year of age (two doses starting in 1998)

Building Self-Esteem

1.Have child make a "book" about themselves, with their own illustrations and wording. "A Book About Me" is a great way to help your child see herself as "somebody."
2.Help your child discover their roots by talking with family members during holiday and other visits.
3.Constantly look for ways to tell your children what you like about them, that you love them. There is no age limit on this. "When I do something well, no one ever remembers. When I do something wrong, no one ever forgets." Those words were written by a high school dropout.
4.Let kids overhear you praising them to others.
5.Try "King/Queen for a Day" for good report cards.
6.Help kids learn from problems, not be devastated by them. Many parents don´t ever use the word "failure." They may talk about a "glitch," a "problem," or a "snag." But even when something doesn´t work out as they´d planned, successful people try to learn something from the experience.

Providing Safe Playgrounds

1- Wear shoes, such as sneakers, that do not slide on wet surfaces. However, check for footwear rules at indoor play areas.
2- Do not play on slippery or wet equipment or force body parts through small spaces.
3- Do not play on hot metal surfaces, such as slides, that may cause third-degree burns.

Reading With Preschoolers

Start with short reading sessions and slowly build up to longer sessions.

Saying No

Children don´t like to hear the word "No". Instead of saying "No", tell the child under what circumstances he can get a "Yes" answer. For example, your child wants to watch TV. The dishes and homework are still not done. Rather than say "No", you tell the child that he can watch TV after the dishes and his homework are done. It is now the child´s choice and not your decision.

Pringle´s Time Capsules

Create a time capsule for each of your students!
•First each student decorates a piece of construction paper and then they tape this around an empty Pringles can.
•Inside include a sample of the child´s writing, an illustration, a string to show their height, a page showing how high they can count and any other item that relates to the current theme.
•The time capsules are then stored until the last week of school. At that time students redo all the above activities.
•Put all this together as a book, then and now. They and their parents enjoy seeing the growth that has taken place over the year.

Homeschool - Traditional Tradesman Crafts

Investigate or even try your hand at some of the traditional crafts and trades that might enhance a related history unit. Try candle-making, spinning, textile-dyeing, weaving, broom-making, rug-hooking, carving, etc. A good resource (though out-of-print) is Edward Tunis´ Colonial Craftsmen. Visit local artisans and tradesmen such as weavers, blacksmiths or potters. If possible, visit a historical village such as Williamsburg or Sturbridge.

Homeschool - Grading Periods

When we want to take extra time off, it isn´t very difficult since we aren´t required to take off federal holidays or the entire summer. In fact, we try to work most of the summer while all the nice vacation spots are crowded and then, when the weather is nicest and all the kids have gone back to school, then we take off an extra week and go on a nice, uncrowded vacation!

Reading With Preschoolers

Find a comfortable and quiet place away from the television and the phone.

Solving School Problems

1.Try looking over children´s study materials and making up a sample quiz as they study for upcoming tests.
2.Talk with school "In time of peace" before major problems develop.
3.How to make report cards a positive experience: Preparation. Ask, "What do you think your report card will tell us?" Getting ready is helpful. Perspective. Understand that a report card is just one small measure of your child. A child with poor grades still has plenty of strengths. Positive action. Find something to praise. Focus on how to improve.
4.Be aware that your attitudes about school affect your child. If you hated math, be careful not to prejudice your child.

Get Organized!

Get a cheap planner from your local teaching supply store. Before you begin you first grading period, sit down and write out your lesson plans.

Is she ready?

- The child is in good physical health, the child can see and hear well
- The child is independent in self-care skills like dressing, toileting, eating and hand-washing
- The child can follow directions and has begun to develop an attention span- he or she is able to share and take turns

Teaching Listening Skills

The best way to teach listening skills is to have young children repeat what you have just said. As they get older, having children write what you said teaches the skill as well. As a parent, be careful to state instructions to your children in language that they understand, then immediately ask them to repeat the instruction - in their own words. This is a key since it shows that not only did they hear the instruction, but they are synthesizing the material as well.

Reading With Preschoolers

Make comparisons such as, "That tree is not as tall as our big tree, is it?"

Homework Time

-From kindergarten to third grade, no more than 20 minutes per day.
-From fourth to sixth grade, 20 to 40 minutes per day.
-From seventh to twelfth grade, the recommended amount of time varies according to the type and number of subjects a student is taking. In general, college-bound students receive lengthier and more involved homework than students preparing to enter the workforce immediately after graduation.

Pringle´s Notes

Pringles cans with lids are great for getting important notes home to parents. Clean them out well. Have the child color a picture then glue or tape the picture on to the can, making sure the child´s name is visible. Cover with clear contact paper. Voila, a good sturdy device for getting those papers to the parents.

Television Time

Have TV rules - Set limits. Know how many hours of television your children watch. Limit your children´s viewing to 1 to 2 hours a day. Watching television is often more habit than choice. Establish good viewing habits for your children. Suggest and participate with your children in alternative activities such as reading, sports, conversation, games, and hobbies.

Ten Commandments for Homeschoolers

1 - Develop your own philosophy of education.
2 - Don´t compare your philosophy, system, goals to other homeschoolers.
3 - Borrow from your friends´ that which complements your philosophy.
4 - Give yourself a break. Evaluate yourself, but be nice about it. Learn from your mistakes, but don´t pound yourself on the head with them.
5 - Don´t be greedy. You probably don´t need half of what seems good for your homeschoolers. Put it back on the shelf!
6 - Wait your turn. Before you know it, your children will be able to work on most subjects with almost no supervision, but now they still need your guidance. Be patient.
7 - Avoid Homeschool Contentions. You don´t have to be like everyone else. Don´t try to keep up with the Joneses.
8 - Don´t begrudge. Some people have a gift for creativity in art. Others in music. Improve on what you are really good in!
9 - Have your temper tantrum. Go ahead. Have it and then get over it and drop it!
10- Encourage one another. Lift up fellow homeschoolers and encourage them in their efforts.