Thursday, December 16, 2010

Helping Others

It’s great to want to help others, but do they really need or want it? One time when I was in about third grade or so, I was eating lunch with my friends in the “cafetorium” (a cafeteria that transformed into an auditorium and gymnasium as well!) I noticed a classmate with a carton of milk—one of those half-pints that you open up and drink with a straw. She seemed to be having trouble with the carton because she was fiddling with it. I wanted to be helpful so I took it and opened it for her. I expected to be the “hero” of the day but instead got a scolding from the lunchroom monitor. Turns out, my classmate was returning the milk because she didn’t want it. I paid for and drank two cartons of milk that day.


So, the lesson here is: it’s great to help others. Just make sure they really need and/or want it. The best thing to do when you someone you think needs help is to use your words. ASK if you can help. Respect the other person’s wishes if they say, “No thank you.”


Have you ever tried to help someone, but it didn’t work out the way you expected? I’d love to hear about your experience. Leave me a comment below.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Distracting Classmates

What do you do when someone in the classroom is distracting you? You could write a friendly letter to your teacher! E-mail it or hand deliver it! If you need help, ask your grownup at home, and it could look something like this:


Dear Teacher, (be sure to get the proper spelling of his name)


I’m having trouble doing my best work because I’m distracted by (insert classmate’s name here). I need your help. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you for your time.


Sincerely,


(Your name)

Also, try to work with your teacher to develop strategies for success such as:

• Ignore the distracting person. Quite often they are looking for attention.

• Move away—politely ask the teacher if you could work at another table or move your desk.

• Put up a barrier of some sort. Some classrooms have portable cardboard that students put on their desks for privacy during a test as well as to help them focus.

It’s not easy to concentrate and get your work done when people around you are off task. Asking for help and being personally responsible for your behavior is a first step.

What if the teacher doesn’t respond to your call for help? Then you can ask your grownup for more help.

Your education is important. Getting along with others is important, too, including your boss, the teacher.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Responsibility of Pet Ownership

Have you always wanted a pet of your own? Pets are fun! Pets are a big responsibility!

Pets are fun because they give you lots of love. Even fish can be “trained” to come to the top of the water for feeding! I like to tap gently on the front of the tank with the container of fish food. After a while the fish learn the meaning of this signal: food!

Guinea pigs are my favorite pet because they are warm and cuddly. They are calmer than hamsters and gerbils and don’t usually bite. Guinea pigs are also great “talkers!” They make lots of noise especially when they learn what the sound of the refrigerator door or the rustling of a plastic produce bag means: food!

Pets are a big responsibility. They depend on you for all their needs: food, water, entertainment, and a safe place to live. If you neglect to take care of your pet, they could get sick, and even worse…

Have you ever asked your gown-ups if you could have a pet? If they said no, perhaps you could convince them you are old enough and responsible enough to handle it.

Here are some suggestions:
• Research the care of the pet you wish to have. Knowledge is power!
• Ask if you can keep a goldfish first. Take good care of it—keep the tank clean and remember to feed it. (Don’t overfeed it or the tank will get really dirty and your fish could get sick.)
• Be responsible in other areas of your life. For example: do your homework and chores without being asked.
• When you have proven yourself with the goldfish, perhaps you could ask again.

If they still say no:
• Ask why nicely.
• Make a schedule showing your potential pet’s daily needs—feeding, grooming, exercise, and playtime.
• Show your grownups the schedule and explain how you will take care of your pet. Let them know you’re serious about this. Perhaps they will let you get a pet!

If they still say no let it go. Don’t nag or beg. Be mature, wait a few months, and ask again. Perhaps if you have been well behaved, done well in school, and have been helpful at home, your grownups just might change their minds!

Leave me a comment and let me know if this works--Good luck!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Staying Focused in Class

What do you do when someone in the classroom distracts you? Write a friendly letter to your teacher! E-mail or hand deliver it! If you need help, ask your grownup at home. The letter could look something like this:


Dear Teacher, (be sure to get the proper name spelling)

I’m having trouble doing my best work because I’m distracted by (insert classmate’s name here). I need your help. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

(Your name)

Try to work with your teacher to develop strategies for success such as:

• Ignore the distracting person. Quite often they are looking for attention.

• Move away—politely ask the teacher if you could work at another table or move your desk.

• Put up a barrier of some sort. Some classrooms have portable cardboard that students put on their desks for privacy during a test and to help them focus.

It’s not easy to concentrate and get your work done when your classmates are off task. Asking for help and learning responsibility for your behavior is a first step.

What if the teacher doesn’t respond to your call for help? Then you can ask your grownup at home for more help.

Your education is important. Getting along with others is important, too, including your boss, the teacher.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Evening Routine

This before bed routine will help you:

• Spend less time in the morning getting ready for school!

• Have less stress in your life!



Here’s all you do:

1. Before you go to bed:

a. Make your lunch (and snack, if appropriate) and put it in your lunchbox, in the fridge.

b. Check your agenda to see what you need for the next day.

c. Pack your backpack with your “Take Home” folder, library book, sneakers for P.E. or anything else you need.

d. Check the weather and choose an appropriate outfit to wear. Lay out the clothing—including everything you will need to wear for the day.

e. Shower/bathe if you won’t have time in the morning.

f. Read for 20 minutes. (put your book in your backpack if you need it for school the next day)

This is your job—don’t let your grownup do it for you!



Do you have a before bed routine? Do you find it helps you?

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Readers Are Leaders!

Kids Who Read Succeed!


Hey kids, do you want to do better in school? Do you want to visit outer space, solve crimes, travel the world? You can do all that and more when you read!!!

Reading, like anything else, takes practice. Here’s all you do:

1. Grab your book, a pencil, and some sticky notes (like Post-It Notes ®)

2. Find a comfy, well-lit seat in a quiet area

3. Set a timer for at least 20 minutes


As you read, be sure to:

1. Think about what’s going on in the story as you read each chapter or section:

o Who is the most important character?

o What are some other characters?

o What is the problem?

o How are they trying to solve it?

o Are they successful? Why/not?

o Is this book like other books you’ve read? How is it different?

o Have you had similar experiences as the characters?

o Where does the story take place?

o What is the author trying to tell you?

2. Picture the action in your head (visualize)

3. Take notes if you are going to take a quiz/write a book report/discuss in class

4. Most importantly, enjoy the story!

Have you read a really good book lately? Write a comment below.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Math Facts: Be Wise, Memorize!

Peppermint Patti’s Pointers—Just for Kids


Why Practice Basic Math Facts:

Having a quick recall of basic facts comes in handy when you’re doing long division or multi-digit multiplication (not to mention algebra and more!). Knowing your basic facts lets your brain think about other important math stuff.

How to Memorize Basic Facts:

• Get Flashcards – write basic math facts (one operation at a time, please—addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division!). You can make them or buy them; they’re not expensive.

• Have a grownup flash the cards to you at a fairly fast pace—you don’t want to have too much time to think or use your fingers!

• Your grownup will put the cards you answered quickly and correctly in one pile.

• Your grownup will put the cards you hesitated on or got wrong in another pile.

• Now focus on the pile you didn’t know.

• On a separate piece of paper, write down the entire fact (4 + 7 = 11). Write fairly big.

• Next trace the entire fact with one color crayon as you say the fact aloud.

• Repeat the above step with a different color crayon. (This memorization technique is called “Rainbow Writing” and is useful for memorizing spelling words, too.)

• Now have a grownup flash the hesitation cards, again making two piles.

Did you increase the number of automatically answered facts?

Only work for more than 10-15 minutes.
The brain likes to work in short bursts!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Beat the Timer Game

Timers are a great way to get chores/homework done! Playing “Beat the Timer” is really fun and you can earn free time!
 
Here’s how you play:
  1. Choose a task (chore or homework assignment)
  2. Decide how long it should take you to do if you’re focused and on task (no fooling aroun
  3. Decide what you want to earn for every minute you beat the timer (how many minutes are left) when you’re done with the task
  4. Get all the materials together to finish your task
  5. Set the timer; push the start button and go!
  6. Make sure you’re not rushing so much that your work is a sloppy mess! This will make you redo your work and lose time.
  7. When you’re done, stop the timer.  Write down how many minutes are left on the timer.  Suppose the timer says 7 minutes.  That's how much free time you have earned!
For homework tasks: Check over your work and put it in your “Take Home” folder.

Keep playing “Beat the Timer” until all of your tasks are done. Add up your extra minutes and enjoy your free time—you earned it!
 

What’s your best “Beat the Timer” score?  Leave a comment below.

 

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Agenda Books

• Agendas are a great tool to help you succeed in school and beyond.
• Agendas are like the appointment calendars that grownups use.
• At school, when the teacher gives you an assignment:
     1.Write your name on the paper and when it’s due!
     2.Write the assignment in your agenda book for that day.
     3.Write when the assignment is due in your agenda if it is not due the very next day.
     4. Put your assignment in your “Take Home” folder.
• When you get home, show your agenda book to your grownup during the “After School Routine”
• Be sure to point out any notes to your parents.
• If your parents write a note to your teacher in your agenda, be sure to show your teacher the next day!

Have you ever used an agenda book?  Has it helped you?  Leave me a comment below.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

The Take Home Folder

The Take Home Folder helps:
  • Keep you organized!
  • You know where everything is!
  • You do your homework without worry!
  • You remember to give your grownups any imnportant paperwork for them to fill out!
  • You hand things in on time!

 Here's all you do:
  1. Get a sturdy two pocket folder.
  2. Write "Take Home Folder" on the outside along with your name, grade, and classroom number.
  3. Open the folder to the inside.  Write "Bring Back" on the left pocket and "Keep Home" on the right pocket.
At school:
  1. Put your name on all your papers as soon as you get them!
  2. Write the day/date the assignnent is due--right on the paper!
  3. Place homework and any other "returnables" on the "Bring Back" side of your Take Home Folder.
  4. Place any papers that are not "returnables" (notices, corrected papers, etc.) on the "Keep Home" side of your Take Home Folder.
At home:
  1. As soon as you walk in the door enjoy a healthy snack while you go through your Take Home Folder with your grownup.
  2. Take a break:  get outside and play.  The fresh air will really help your brain.
  3. Time for homework--tackle your least favorite/most difficult assignment first.  Set a timer and go for it!  Be sure to check over your work when you're done!
  4. As soon as you have finished and checked over your work, put the homework in that "Bring Back" pocket of your Take Home Folder!
  5. Put your Take Home Folder right into your backpack!
Remember:  Get that homework done!  It's easier to keep up than to catch up!