9 Things Teachers Wish Parents Knew

Parents, do you wonder what it takes to help your kids do their very best at school? Good Housekeepingwent into classrooms at schools around the country and talked to the teachers who spend their days with your children. Here's what they said about how you can help them help your kids:

1. Don't be a stranger!
Talk to your child's teacher early and often. Back-to-school night shouldn't be the only time you connect, but it's a great time to introduce yourself and find out the best way to contact her in the future. Then stay in touch with updates on how things are going at home, questions about your child and his work, or to schedule conferences to head off trouble (should you worry about that string of C's?). Most teachers have e-mail at school, which is a great way to check in.
Related: 5 Tips for Talking with Your Child's Teacher

2. Learning doesn't stop at 3:15.
You can help the teacher do a better job by encouraging your child to show you something he's working on at school, suggests Ron Martucci, who teaches fourth grade in Pelham, New York. It doesn't have to be a big deal: "Ask him to demonstrate how he does long division or to read his book report out loud," says Martucci. "Every time your child gets a chance to show off what he knows, it builds confidence."
Related: Prepare Your Child for School with These Print-and-Go Shopping Lists

3. Stay involved — even when you don't know the material.
You can provide moral support and be your child's cheerleader no matter how well (or poorly) you did in a certain subject. "Parents tell me they didn't take trigonometry or flunked chemistry, so how can they check the homework?" says Tim Devine, a high school social science teacher in Chicago. "But we don't expect you to be an expert on every subject." Just knowing a parent is paying attention can be very motivating for a student.
Related: Check Out These Free Online Tutoring Resources

4. Keep your child organized.
That means helping teachers with the paper chase. "I spend way too much time tracking down tests or forms I've sent home for a parent's signature," says Judy Powell, a fifth-grade teacher from Richmond, Virginia. Usually, the missing items are crumpled up in the bottom of the kid's backpack, along with lunch leftovers and other clutter. Powell's solution: Have your child empty his backpack every day as part of a regular after-school routine. Set up a special place, such as a box in the kitchen, where he can put the day's papers, and provide another spot, such as a desk drawer, for old assignments that you want to save. A bright-colored folder is a good idea, too, for toting homework — and signed papers — to and from school. And about those supplies: Keep plenty on hand. "Kids run out of pencils and paper, and it'll be three weeks before they'll remember to tell you," says Powell.
Related: The Best Kids' Backpacks

5. Let your child make mistakes.
Don't forget, he's learning. Teachers don't want perfect students, they want students who try hard. "Sometimes parents get caught up in thinking every assignment has to be done exactly right, and they put too much pressure on their child," says Brian Freeman, a second-grade teacher from Red Spring, North Carolina. "But it's OK for kids to get some problems wrong. It's important for us to see what students don't know, so we can go over the material again."

Is your child struggling with an assignment? Help him brainstorm possible solutions. If he's still stuck, resist the temptation to write a note. Instead, encourage your child to take charge by asking the teacher for help the next day.

Hands off bigger assignments, too, says Marty Kaminsky, a fourth-grade teacher in Ithaca, New York. "I assigned a project on inventors, and several kids brought in amazingly detailed reports with slide-shows. They looked great, but they clearly weren't the work of a nine-year-old," he says. "I was much happier with the posters with the pictures glued on crooked, because I knew those children did the work themselves. What matters isn't the final result; it's letting a child have ownership of the project."
Related: Is Your Child Cheating? How to Deal with It

6. Raise a good reader.
Even if your child isn’t a natural-born bookworm, you can encourage him to love literature. Keep reading together, even if your kid can breeze through a book on his own. Reading aloud can expand his vocabulary, and your chats about the book will help him understand and enjoy more. But you might want to shelve books that seem way over his head. It’s tempting to push literary limits, but the goal is understanding and enjoyment.

Use audiobooks as a tool to inspire love of reading. They aren’t “cheating;” they’re a terrific way to engage kids in a good yarn. Check out bookadventure.com for more with books kids will enjoy.
Related: Top 13 Books for Middle and High Schoolers

7. If the teacher deserves a good grade, give her one.
Teaching isn't easy, and there are days when a kid has a tantrum, or a teacher feels like crying because a parent speaks to her harshly. So why not e-mail or call when your child enjoys a class event or says something nice about the instructor? And if you feel the teacher is doing a good job, let the principal know. Volunteering is another way to demonstrate your enthusiasm and support, even if you only have time to help out once a year. It shows your child — and his teacher — that you really care about his education.
Related: What to Do When Your Child and Teacher Don't Get Along

8. The teacher's on your side — give her the benefit of the doubt.
Rachel James, a third-grade teacher in Reson, Florida, was having a terrible time with one of her students. For days, the boy had been disruptive, rolling his eyes and sighing dramatically whenever anyone spoke to him. Naturally, she had to reprimand him. "His mom called and accused me of picking on her son," says James. "When I told her what was going on, she was shocked." After the mom had calmed down, they worked out some ways to change the boy's behavior. "A lot of parents go into attack mode when their child complains about a teacher," says James. "Or they take the problem to the principal, so the teacher feels blindsided. But parents need to get all the facts before they react."
Related: Etiquette Tips for Dealing with Teachers and Other Parents

9. There is a secret to better grades.
Set up a brief get-together with your child's teacher(s) early in the school year. A one-on-one conversation is the perfect time to bring up important issues, like the fact that your child struggled in math last year or tended to hand in homework late. Also check in with the school district’s or teachers’ website in order to stay on top of your child’s assignments, grades, test dates and scores — and more. Find out what resources there are for you, and use them. If your child is having a tough time in a particular class, don’t just swoop in and try to make things right. Encourage your child to meet with his teacher to resolve a problem on his own.

If there’s issue between your child and a teacher, don’t automatically run to the principal behind the teacher’s back. Certain situations that involve your child’s safety do merit a meeting with the head of school, but otherwise, going over the teacher’s head signals a lack of respect. When you can’t agree on a solution, set up a meeting with the teacher and a school administrator, who can help work things out

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/backtoschool/9-things-teachers-wish-parents-knew-2342257/

Memo From Your Child

Dear Mum and Dad,

Please help me to love myself.

Don’t spoil me; I know that I don’t need everything I ask for. If you give me too much, nothing is special.

I’m testing you so please help me gain the self-discipline I need by teaching me through discipline that is fair and appropriate.

I need my sense of dignity, so please don’t belittle me, especially in front of others. Like you, I respond better when spoken to with respect.

Don’t ridicule me, or imply that my behavior makes me a bad person. This only erodes my sense of self worth.

When I say ‘I hate you’ I don’t mean it and don’t mean to upset you. What I hate is my feeling of powerlessness.

Please be patient with me and I may surprise you in the long term.

When you have a bad day, please don’t take it out on me. Please don’t shout or nag, when you do my ears close down. I hear much better when you speak, not yell.

Help me to feel good about myself by focusing on my positive traits, rather than the negative.

Help me develop a sense of trust. Don’t try to bribe me or make promises you can’t keep, I feel that I can’t trust you or the world when my hopes are raised and then dashed.

Please be consistent, I become confused when you say something one day and then the rules change. I need boundaries and rules that are clear and work across the board.

The safer I feel the more of my sensitive inner self and emotions I will trust you with.

Please don’t ridicule my fears, no matter how silly they may seem to you. To me they are very real and to conquer them I need your understanding and reassurance.

Remember I learn from your actions as much as your words. When you apologize to me it helps me to admit my mistakes and try to correct them.

I need to be loved and recognized for who I am and not my actions or achievements. This helps to strengthen my sense of self.

Show me that you think I am worthwhile and capable, thereby teaching me to love and accept myself.

Remember, to thrive, I need only your love and understanding.

Finally remember that I love you and I don’t expect you to be perfect either.

Tears Crawling My Cheeks

Last night, I went to the house of my dearest at Valenzuela. When we arrived, her mom was reacting about the scenario happening at the Quirino Grandstand. I didn't know it was happening because I was at the office the whole day and we don't have access to news. There was a hostage drama happening and there were other nationals involved in the scene. An ex-cop, Senior Inspector Rolando del Rosario Mendoza, armed with an automatic rifle, held a Hong Thai tourist bus with 25 passengers hostage, August 23, near the Quirino Grandstand.

As I wrote this blog entry, my heart is beating fast while the whole world had gone wild because of this case here in the Philippines. I dont like to make this too long, I just want to tell the world that I am hurt by how these other pathetic nations, even some of our fellow Filipino, judged the whole country because someone made a very heart-troubling crime.

First and for most, I would like to apologize on behalf of all the wrong doers in the world. CNN had declared that Philippines is the worst place to go to. I wondered why? Because some Hong Kong nationals has been hostage? What if the hostages were Filipinos, would they react that way? What about other crimes being done in other country? My point here is not to say that Philippines is better than the other country, what I'm trying to say is that we need not say such words because for me, they are unnecessary. Filipinos are no less than the Americans, Europeans or whatever nationality there is. We Filipinos have the same quality as any other nation can provide. This message also goes out for those people who comment bad things about the Philippines even without the real experience of being here. We, especially me, are proud to become a Filipino.

Tears are slowly rolling down my cheeks as I think about what had happened to the victims and to the hostage taker. It is of no sense to point fingers and blame whosoever there is to blame. The hostage taker is a victim also, a victim of the system, a victim of the mind corrupting media. I just cant help myself but to wonder where things went wrong in the hostage taker's heart. He was once awarded as the most outstanding policeman if I'm not mistaken, he is kind at heart. Things happen because things happen... though sometimes we wish that we can change the wrong deeds of the world.

Philippines is now banned in China and Hong Kong... one word that I could say: Thank You. It has been a very mind bugling situation to me how these "chinese" treats Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong... demoralizing Filipinos and treating them as slaves. I can't blame our countrymen for enduring such act because they are motivated to earn money for their family left here in the Philippines. I don't know the extent of this "ban" thing but if ever this includes the banning of domestic helper there... it will be high time for us to make and build our own way... in our own country!!!

Still, I am proud to be a FILIPINO!

A letter from a teenage Filipino to the WHOLE WORLD

August 23, 2010

"A letter from a teenage Filipino to the WHOLE WORLD”

As you are reading this letter, I bet that you have seen/heard about what happened earlier in our country.

Tourists were hostages of a policeman here, Rolando Mendoza.

After a few hours of the horrible crime, some of the victims were dead including the hostage-taker.

I wrote this letter not just to apologize but also to let everyone know that we Filipinos are not all like Mendoza. We are loving and good-hearted people.

For so many years, our country has been standing tall and surpassing every dilemma; be it small or big. Years ago (back when I wasn’t born yet), you have watched us fight for what we think is right. We fought for the democracy of our nation.. The EDSA revolution. But that’s just one out of many.

Second. We Filipinos have been serving other countries for our families and we treat you as our own as well. With all due respect, I thank you all for giving us the trust through the years. For helping us to become what we are now.

The Philippines is more than just a group of islands. We are a nation of strong and remarkable people. A country of beauty and love known to be hospitable and well-valued. I humbly apologize for what happened tonight. No one in this world would want something like that to happen for life should be valued.

I politely ask the attention of the world. Please do not judge and mistreat us just because of what happened tonight. I have been searching the net and found terrible things. Hong Kong advices to avoid travels here, China and HK bans Filipinos and that Philippines is the worst place to go.

I can’t blame you for what you have decided but I hope that you could understand. Our country is now in a sea of problems. And I know for sure that we helped you in a way or another. Let peace and understanding reign this time.

I know that this letter will just be trash but I wish that you would understand. On behalf of the Philippine population.. WE ARE SORRY.

As a song puts it…

And I believe that in my life I will see an end to hopelessness, giving-up and suffering. And we all stand together this one time then no one will get left behind. Stand up for life. STAND UP FOR LOVE

Sincerely yours,

Reigno Jose Dilao

Catbalogan City, Samar

(End of Letter)

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6581538-a-letter-of-apology-from-a-filipino-teenager-after-the-hostage-drama/content/62080039-philippine-policemen-walk-near-a-tourist-bus-taken-hostage-by-a-former-police-officer-in-manila

Teaching at the Same Time Learning

“It is impossible to claim that all good teachers use similar techniques: some lecture nonstop and others speak very little; some stay close to their material and others loose the imagination; some teach with the carrot and others with the stick. But in every instance, good teachers share one trait: a strong sense of personal identity infuses their work. ‘Dr. A is really there when he teaches.’ ‘Mr. B has such enthusiasm for his subject.’ ‘You can tell that this is really Prof. C’s life.’ ” --Parker Palmer, The Courage to Teach

Learning and teaching is the concern of a student teacher. But these two are complex process. It can however be defined as a change in disposition; a relatively permanent change in behaviour overtime and this is brought about by experience. Learning can occur as a result of newly acquired skill, knowledge, perception, facts, principles, new information at hand etc.

My interaction with my new environment brought me great changes in my behaviour. These changes are also the acquisition of new and more knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enables me as a learner to make better and more adequate reactions, responses and adjustments to new situations and conditions. Learning in the real sense can be measured by how many ideas and experiences have been left in the individual after the teaching or experiencing process has been done.

The first time I stepped on the grounds of Makati High School, stream of thoughts was playing in my mind about growing so much as a future teacher. I was very excited to meet the person, my CT, who will be a big part of my learning and my growth. Now all I can say is that, she didn’t fail me. My growth was beyond compare, I am a better and more determined student soon to be teacher. The learning I had will be forever in my heart.

Faces of the students that I encountered are engraved in my heart. I think I have learned more compared to the things I’ve thought them. It is I who eventually become the teacher in front. It is heart warming to see that they, the students, follow you not because they are afraid but they do respect you a lot. Respect can’t be gain instantly even if you are a teacher; you need to work hard for it to gain it. You need to let the students realize that you are there not to boss around but because you care for them as if they are part of your life. Let them feel you love them for them to be able to love themselves.

The four walls of the faculty served as my home. The whole vicinity of Makati High School served as my sanctuary!!!

Thank YOU!!!

Mark Christopher D. Mellor

Student Teacher, 1^st quarter 2010-2011

Smile

Smiles is one of the greatest gift that God have ever deposited into the emotional reservoir of mankind, but it is shocking and alarming that we allow such a valuable endowment to waste away every blessed day.

Lots of individual would have change their situation and atmosphere if they can wear a little bit of smile everyday. Smiles are one of the greatest means of communication, yet the amazing and incredible thing about it is that it can be gotten and used at no cost!

What is smile?

Before we begin to analyze some of the powerful effects of smiles, I think it will be helpful for us to understand the meaning of this power means of communication known as smile.

Smile is said to be a facial expression in which the corners of the mouth are raised, usually expressing amusement, pleasure, or approval.

We are going to be looking at some of the amazing things that we can easily accomplish with our free and simple but yet a dynamic smile. You will be startle at what you can do with your smile or rather what your smile would do for you.

Effects of Smile.

The following are the effects of smiles:

1. Make an individual approachable.

The first you will be able to achieve without stress with your smile is the ability to be approachable. Have you noticed that when you give a little smile, especially to a person you are meeting for the first time, it prompts such a fellow to open up and want to relate with you?

The reason for this is quite simple, it is because your smiles is telling the other person that you are an interesting person to be around with, and tell me who doesn’t want to be around a happy fellow?

I personally discovered this to be true. Human are emotional being, and we most times talk through our emotions than gestures, verbal or any other means of communication that we might have available or would rather want to use.

And there is something interesting about this, it gives you the opportunity to connect emotionally to the person you are communicating with, the emotional bonding found in this kind of act is very influential and commanding.

So, giving away some smiles will boost your image and personality, which would want everyone to be around you. Why don’t you give it a trial and see the effect.

2. It improves your physiognomy.

There is a saying that goes like this "I have never seen a smiling face that is not beautiful".

This is exceptionally true and factual. I also personally discovered that smiling make me look more handsome that I would ordinarily look.

This explains the reason why actors, model and influential people do express some bit of smile; this is quite powerful and effective. One powerful effect that smiles will have on you is to improve or uplift that facial expression or yours.

Check this out, try to remember those people that you consider ugly and unattractive, you will notice they look more eye-catching and striking when they wear just a simple smile. The reason is not far fetched, this is the same principle we have discovered and it is simple. A smile improves your physiognomy!

3. Changes your Atmosphere.

This is very effective and powerful. Do you know you can drastically change your atmosphere through a simple smile? This is might sound easy and cheap, but I tell you, it’s quite incredible as this aspect have been utilized without much notice and awareness.

Do you remember finding yourself in an unpleasant, obnoxious and horrible situation? And possibly by chance you stumble on something that stimulates that unused effective communicative tool in you, how do you feel thereafter when you released that idyllic smile, you feel relaxed and fulfilled.

That is exactly what a simple smile can do for you. It gives you an opportunity to re-create your atmosphere at will. This is quite interesting, this implies that you can easily place yourself right there in your own world of pleasure and bliss, and guess what you can achieve this without any formal training and it’s absolutely free of charge!

4. Make somebody’s day.

Another powerful thing you can achieve with you smiles is making somebody’s day, and I bet it you will never be forgotten for simple that act.

Looking around your neighborhood, office or even your home you will discover that there are lots of people that are desperately stressed and need some sort of encouragement to move on, those individuals awaits your smile to make their day. You never can tell the power and effects of your smile on such individual until you extend your smile to them.

I have lots of people tell me that they would have made more imparts on their society if only they have sufficient funds. Some even conclude that they would have loved to give but they do not have money to do just that.

But I bet to that there is something you have that can be given at will, and that is your smiles. You can make much impart by just smiling towards an individual today. And as you would realize that this cost you nothing except you willingness and your interest.

By sending out that smile, what you are doing is that, you are telling the person that he is worth your attention and time even though it is petite and short. Merely giving an attention to smile or return a smile is a great thing that could ever happen to an individual. So by doing that you are already making an impart that is more than having a fund. Because at times you might run out of funds, but never can run out of smiles!

So, why don’t you make somebody’s day through your smile? They are waiting just for that smile of yours to motivate them to the next level. You will everly be grateful you did.

Here are simple steps yet powerful enough to cause a change in somebody’s life. I believe you will experience transformation as you involve yourself in this exercise.

Just like fellow said "Dale Carnegie, in his book How to Win Friends and Influence People, best summed up the lasting impacts of a smile: "It costs nothing, but creates much. It enriches those who receive, without impoverishing those who give. It happens in a flash and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever".

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/self-help-articles/the-effects-of-smiles-784395.html#ixzz0wudt2wvt