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AEP Online |
A+ Advice for ParentsEnd of school year a time to reflectQ: My two boys, fourth- and fifth-graders, worked hard in school this year and can't wait for summer vacation. The last few weeks have been full of tests, projects and pressures. They've lost their enthusiasm for school. Why don't schools lay off a little at year's end? When I was in fifth grade, there were field days, trips and events to help us wind down. Now it's a grueling race to the finish that my kids can't wait to be over. Is there anything I can do to help them wrap up the year on a high note? A: A packed curriculum and testing pressures have changed year-end traditions in many schools. Kids need a chance to look back before they head home for the summer to see how far they've come. You're smart to want to help yours put the year's accomplishments in perspective. "It's good to help children bring a sense of closure to the school year," says Marlynn K. Clayton, a consulting teacher and co-founder of Northeast Foundation for Children. "It offers them an opportunity to trace their growth, both academic and social, that has taken place in a year." In the Foundation's April 2007 Responsive Classroom Newsletter (responsiveclassroom.org), Clayton advises teachers to devote time before summer break to help students pause and take stock. "It gives children a sense of accomplishment and pride in themselves, their class and their school," says Clayton. "And it even gets them to think about next year's work and set goals as a reflective learner." Even if your children's teachers do class activities that help students reflect on their school year, Clayton says it's still a good idea for parents to set aside time with their children to celebrate the excitement and satisfaction in this year's work and to help them recognize that hard work can be a positive experience. "You don't need to belabor the process or approach it as an assignment. Make it fun and with a positive slant. Include discussion and some engaging activities, topped off by something they'd consider a treat, such as trip to their favorite restaurant or a movie." Here are a few ideas that Clayton suggests you can do as a family. -- Year-End Reflections: Ask your children to think about their school year. What was their proudest moment? Their hardest challenge? The most fun? What was something that was hard to learn that they've now mastered? What did they get better at this year? What do they want to get better at next school year? Who are new friends they made? What activities do they like to do with them? Since most children are used to keeping journals in school, they could each start one to record these end-of-year observations and include their report card and any class work they are especially proud of. If they don't want to write in a paper journal, think about adding their thoughts to a family Web site or encouraging them to record their comments for future listening. -- Fourth-Grade Favorites: Start a year-end tradition of choosing categories of things your children want to remember. Some examples include: My favorite reading books this year, my favorite project, my favorite subject, my favorite after-school activity and so on. "The idea is to get them to think about what really inspired them and motivated them to learn more," says Clayton. "Looking back at these lists over time is not only fun, it can be helpful in reminding children how they approached a topic or got better in a subject. Do this every year and you'll have fun things to share at your children's graduation parties!" -- How-to Guide to a Grade: A good way to recap a year is to pass on what a child learned to someone who is about to embark on it. A fifth-grader could 'download' advice to his fourth-grade brother on what to expect in the fall. A fourth-grader could pass on Tips For Doing Well in Fourth Grade to a third-grade friend. Advice might include what books students are expected to read, what science projects are required, what field trips to plan for. "This activity requires reflection, has a purpose meaningful to the older student and can be of genuine service to a younger student," says Clayton. -- Scrapbook of the Year: Using photos and other illustrations, have kids create a paper or online scrapbook of the year's highlights. Pack captions with details of friends made, lessons learned and problems solved. When back-to-school time arrives, look at the scrapbooks again. Talk about the year ahead and make predictions about entries they might make in next year's edition. -- Proud Work Gallery: Good beginnings deserve good endings, says Clayton. "Celebrate the passing of another year of classroom learning by posting work your children are proud of on the refrigerator -- or wherever the family posts its messages and mementoes -- to remind them of their year's accomplishments. By the time the new school year rolls around, they'll be ready." Copyright 2007, United Feature Syndicate, Inc. A-PLUS ADVICE FOR PARENTS 5-14-07
Submission inquiries? Contact Dave Gladney at 856-241-7772 or dgladney@AEPweb.org.
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