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Goal Setting
Goal Setting
Many distractions and challenges in our lives threaten to throw us off our path, or keep us from knowing what our path is. Setting explicit goals for success and tracking our progress toward them is a way to increase our chances of finding the success we hope for.
The main point of setting goals is to help you take realistic steps to achieve them. Goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely in order to keep you on track for success.
Tips on goal setting:
Set “positive” goals
Be specific as possible
Break big goals into small steps
Make sure your goals are realistic
Write down your goals
Track your progress
Celebrate when your goals are achieved
Get Organized
Get Organized
Keep a calendar, whether digital or on paper. Calendars have a way of reminding you of the tasks you once thought were important, and you can even color-code them to reveal where you are spending most of your time--whether on studying, social time, extracurriculars, etc.
Schedule study time for classes in advance. Studying over time is a much better plan for success on tests than cramming the week or night before. Give your brain time to digest information, and you’ll be surprised how much better you know the material–not just for the test, but for a lifetime of knowledge.
Prioritize the most important tasks. Determine which tasks every day are most important to you, and add them first on your list. For example, if you know you have a major project due in a week, you might want to prioritize brainstorming for that project and save the easier homework for later.
Create good habits, like reviewing notes each night before bed. Looking over information before bed can help the content absorb in your mind, so make it a habit to review notes for your hardest classes before you go to sleep.
Resources for Goal Setting
SC Discus App
The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) and the South Carolina State Library (SCSL) are partnering to offer free online tutoring services, provided by Tutor.com, to any student in South Carolina. In addition to tutoring in content areas, students may also drop off papers for review, seek help in test preparation, or ask specific questions about their work. The around-the-clock service is available seven days per week. Students can access Tutor.com through Discus (students must access it this way – if they just go to tutor.com if may not work). Every student has a link for Discus on their ClassLink LaunchPad.
Homework Struggles?
Homework Struggles?
Here are some tips to guide the way:
Know the teachers - and what they're looking for. Attend school events, such as parent-teacher conferences, to meet your child's teachers. Ask about their homework policies and how you should be involved.
Set up a homework-friendly area. Make sure kids have a well-lit place to complete homework. Keep supplies - paper, pencils, glue, scissors - within reach.
Schedule a regular study time. Some kids work best in the afternoon, following a snack and play period; others may prefer to wait until after dinner.
Help them make a plan. On heavy homework nights or when there's an especially hefty assignment to tackle, encourage your child break up the work into manageable chunks. Create a work schedule for the night if necessary - and take time for a 15-minute break every hour, if possible.
Keep distractions to a minimum. This means no TV, loud music, or phone calls.
Make sure kids do their own work. They won't learn if they don't think for themselves and make their own mistakes. Parents can make suggestions and help with directions. But it's a kid's job to do the learning.
Be a motivator and monitor. Ask about assignments, quizzes, and tests. Give encouragement, check completed homework, and make yourself available for questions and concerns.
Set a good example. Do your kids ever see you diligently balancing your budget or reading a book? Kids are more likely to follow their parents' examples than their advice.
Praise their work and efforts. Post an aced test or art project on the refrigerator. Mention academic achievements to relatives.
If there are continuing problems with homework, get help. Talk about it with your child's teacher. Some kids have trouble seeing the board and may need glasses; others might need an evaluation for a learning problem or attention disorder.
(Source: kidshealth.org)
Just for Parents!
Just for Parents!
How to become an active participant in your child's education
How to become an active participant in your child's education
Why you should be involved:
Parental involvement at home is associated with higher student achievement.
A home environment that encourages learning is more important to student achievement than income, education level, or cultural background.
Involvement includes: actively organizing and monitoring a child's time, helping with homework and discussing school matters.
What is Parental Involvement, Exactly?
Reading to your child- yes, even in middle school
Checking homework every night
Discussing your child's progress with teachers
Voting in school board elections
Limiting TV viewing and social media on school nights
Meet with Your Child's Teachers and Discuss the Following:
Suggestions for how a busy parent can become involved in the classroom
What your child is expected to know or understand by the end of each marking period and by the end of the school year
The major tests your child will take during the school year and what the tests measure.
Suggestions on what to do at home to reinforce the skills that are being taught in class.
If an interpreter is necessary, the school can request one to assist the parents and teacher in communicating.
Periodically check your child's backpack for the following:
Old report cards
Graded assignments
Homework assignments
Notes from teacher
Parental consent forms
Your child's agenda- they should be filling it out regularly!
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