COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER PART 2 – DO’S AND DON’TS

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 Here are a few practical pointers for getting teachers to listen and respond to your requests:

DO's

· Always use emotionally neutral language. Avoid words like “should,” “must,” and anything threatening.

· Let the words speak for themselves.

· Ask specific questions which may be answered in a few words.

· E-mail is faster, easier and more readily accessible than paper notes.

· Specify your preferred method of verbal communication. If you need a phone call, ask the teacher to call you at a time when you know you will be able to take the call without having the teacher leave a message Be sure to include your telephone number in the message.

DONT's

·  Avoid leaving telephone messages at a school. School offices are often manned by student monitors and messages may not reach the teacher's mailbox.

·  Don't use confrontational language or threats. That approach may not only be counterproductive but it may also be illegal.

·  Remember that your communication skills reflect on and ultimately influence your child's method of communication.

·  If you’ve tried to contact a teacher and received no response after the second attempt, try calling a guidance counselor and explaining why you need to speak with the teacher. Counselors are more accustomed to working with parents and may be able to pass your message along.

COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER PART 1 – MAKING CONTACT

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Parents often find it alarmingly difficult to make contact with teachers. Many are amazed to
discover that telephone messages they leave at the school go unanswered, and often assume (not unreasonably!) that the teacher is simply ignoring their requests. Not surprisingly, parental anger at this state of affairs tends to grow by the day.

It’s Not All About Numbers: Why Children Do Poorly in Math

Parents often ask us why their children are doing poorly in math, particularly in grades 2-6. For young children, abstract quantities can be daunting, especially when taught in the context of skill drills. Many children do not find immediate meaning in numbers as symbols, although that is what we hope to convey to them.

Student Now Getting 98 Average in Math! Satisfied Mother Writes In

Parents are constantly writing in to let us know about the improvements their children have made since using the Math Made Easy math software DVDs and online tutoring. Here is an email we received from a very happy mother just last week:

Hi Anne,

I just wanted to let you know how well our daughter is doing in math and all her subjects.

She ranges from 85 to 95 in all her classes, but her math average is now a 98! Can you believe that? This is the same girl who could not do division when we first started with MathMadeEasy.com!

She is doing wonderful in high school and I just wanted to share the wonderful news with you. We are very proud of her!

Thank You,

M.S.

Enrichment

Even though you may secretly fear that you lack the proficiency to involve your children in math-based activities, your role in enrichment is key – and you can do it! Aside for buying them math software or other learning gadgets, you should involve them in real life math activities.