September 21st, 2009 by El Ed Mom

When you need to have a substitute teacher take over your classroom duties, it’s important to do your best to make the guest teacher feel comfortable and confident with your students and the curriculum. By following this checklist, you can maximize the chances of your substitute teacher being able to handle your duties with ease and fluidity.

Checklist for Preparing to Host a Substitute Teacher

Create a designated section on your desk so that the substitute can easily find your notes, lessons, and materials.
Print out your daily schedule with any special notes applicable to the days in question.

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September 11th, 2009 by El Ed Mom

What is School Readiness?

You should allow your child to have the kinds of experiences that will help them do well in school at an early age. “School readiness” means making sure your child has the academic, social, independence, and communication skills require to successful start school. Reading, talking, and playing with others will help your child prepare for their school career.

Academic Readiness

Before starting kindergarten, children need to know about themselves, their families, and the world. Children can come to school with many skills that teachers can build upon, if they have already had good learning experiences at home and with their Parents.

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August 21st, 2009 by El Ed Mom

Empowering your child to find and follow their passion will create healthy and happy children:

• Help your child develop a list of things they would like to try in their lifetime! Make a game of crossing off each activity as it gets completed – hike a local trail from start to finish; climb a viewing tower; visit states; tourist attractions; gaze at stars; watch a sun rise and set; etc.
• Add plenty of activities that they can try once without any commitments!
• Read the local paper with them to find fun activities to try:
  • Libraries offer learning chess classes; author visits by topic; art and craft projects, etc.
  • Zoos offer all kinds of special activities such as camping at the zoo, special exhibits and activities
  • Local communities offer special events, such as history re-enactments, cultural events and art exhibits
  • Museums offer special events and exhibits as well
• Go on-line to research fun activities and create more learning by subjects of interest!
• Have a family policy that a child may try anything with parental approval once and if they elect to enroll, must stay in for a certain period of time before quitting.  Set the ground rules – if your child hates 4-H or Girl Scouts and it becomes a chore – there needs to be an exit strategy in place, first before a child enrolls and the child needs to buy into the rules of engagement! 

Hope these help!

Smiles – Stacey

Stacey Kannenberg
“Get Ready To Learn Mom”