Learning quote of the month: DECEMBER 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVERY

MISTAKE

YOU MAKE

IS PROGRESS.

 



Learning quote of the month NOVEMBER 2014

FAIL

FIRST

ATTEMPT

IN

LEARNING

Internet Safety - is your child safe online?

INTERNET SAFETY - is your child safe online?

The range of devices thatgive us easy access to the internet in our homes has increased hugely and has many positive uses. However, the internet has to be used safely and with respect; when it is used to defraud, abuse or bully the consequences can be devastating. 

To keep your child safe whilst using their mobile phones, PC or tablet you should involve yourself with what they are doing.  If they like to play games ask them aboutwhy they like the game and discuss strategies that they use.  Set the parental controls on the devices and discuss with your child why you are doing this, appropriate behaviour and what they should do if they should access anything on the internet that they find upsetting in anyway.  If they play online reinforce the need for them to invite only friends that are known to them. Explain to them the need for caution when posting photos online.  Remind them they might have set their device to share with their "friends" only but their friends may not have.

At school, children are taught to be safe on the internet using the acronym “SMART.”

            SAFE-explain it is not safe to share passwords, personal details, or photos on the Internet.  Explain that photos and videos on chat lines can be shared and be seen by others.  Have a No Strangers rule so that they are only communicating with their friends. Encourage your child to tell you if someone is trying to "chat" with or meet them.

MEETING –Repeat that they should never arrange over the internet to meet anyone even with one of their friends present.

ACCEPTING - do not accept 'friend' invites from strangers or open emails from unknown senders.  Discuss the dangers of viruses and hacking.

            RELIABLE - there is a huge amount of information on the net and anyone can put it on there.  So, check more than one site when looking for information on line.

            TELL - If you see something that is upsetting or offensive on the Internet, or feel threatened then tell someone. 

LEARNING QUOTE OF THE MONTH - OCTOBER 2014

A good teacher does more than teach; they  

Encourage,

Instruct,

Mentor,

Praise,

Influence,

Guide, 

Inspire.

They care more about the people their students become

rather than the levels scored on the tests they take.

LEARNING QUOTE OF THE MONTH: SEPTEMBER 2104

Too often we give children

ANSWERS TO REMEMBER

rather than

PROBLEMS TO SOLVE.

Roger Lewin

SIX WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD BE READY TO LEARN

SIX WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD BE READY TO LEARN

Whether your child is starting a new school or moving onto to a new class and a new teacher, they are facing new experiences, new opportunities and new challenges.  The following tips are some of the things that you can do to encourage and nurture their learning and help them have a happy and successful year.

    1.   Have a routine and stick to it.  Family diaries or timetables on notice boards can help you and your child remember when to take in PE kits, instruments, etc.  Older students could use their phones to make notes on assignments and use alerts to remind them to hand in homework.  Have a specific time for reading and homework and an area in which your child can complete their home learning activities.  Have paper, pencils and crayons easily accessible so that your child can focus on completing the activity.  Having a routine can make the day less stressful for all.

2.    Get a good night's sleep.  Research recommends that school children have 10 hours sleep. Tired students find it more difficult to focus in class and this has an impact on their learning.

3.    Eat a good breakfast and provide your child with a healthy snack and lunch.  Your child will be more alert and focused at school if they are not hungry and don’t have too much sugar in their system.

4.    Be on time for school.  Arriving late, can be stressful for your child, it disrupts the class and may mean that your child has missed key information and work; this will have a negative impact on their learning.

5.    Provide your child with opportunities to experience new things and to ask questions; take an interest in their school projects, e.g. visiting library and museums together.  There are a range of extra curricular activities and local clubs that your child can participate in.

6.    Fresh air and exercise are important to your child's learning.  Give your child time to play, to be creative and to be curious.

"Play is the answer to how anything new comes about." (Jean Piaget)

LEARNING QUOTE OF THE MONTH - AUGUST

The way we talk to our children 

becomes their inner voice.

Peggy O'Mara

LEARNING QUOTE OF THE MONTH - JULY 2014

The true strength in our classrooms lies in the collaboration of learners not in the knowledge of one expert.

Krissy Venosdale

LEARNING QUOTE OF THE MONTH - JUNE

Play is the answer to how 
everything comes about.

Jean Piaget

Learning quote of the month May 2014

Every child is gifted.

They just unwrap their packages 

at different times.

Anon 

LEARNING QUOTE OF THE MONTH - APRIL 2014

If a child can't 

LEARN

the way WE teach,

maybe we should

TEACH

the way THEY 

LEARN.

Ignacio Estrada

LEARNING QUOTE OF THE MONTH - MARCH 2014

Learning 

is not a 

spectator sport 

so -

let's play!

HELP YOUR CHILD BECOME A BETTER READER

HELP YOUR CHILD BECOME A BETTER READER

Reading with confidence and accuracy is an essential skill for all humans.  The practical applications are numerous and extend our knowledge, but reading can also bring an individual pleasure. 

A positive way to support your child with their reading is to have a regular time and place to read where the distractions are limited.  Whether your child prefers to read silently or aloud it is beneficial to discuss the text with them to ensure that they are reading with understanding and accuracy. Ask them questions about the setting or characters as well as their opinions.  When discussing the text with your child encourage them to PEE. In other words, give their POINT of view and EXPLAIN their answers with EXAMPLES from the text. Encourage them to ask their own questions too.  Reading aloud has advantages for all children; encouraging expression and fluency and developing confidence.

When listening to a child read encourage them to ask themselves "Does it make sense?"  You and your child may find it fun to take turns in reading and sharing the text, or reading in unison together or echoing each other.  If your child is struggling with a word try giving them the beginning or ending; covering up part of the word can also help.  Some children also find it useful to read following your finger/pointer to help them keep their place.  Other strategies to use are skipping the word and reading on to the end of the sentence, encouraging the child to reflect on what the word could be or to use the pictures clues in the same way. A useful to way to know if a text is appropriate is to open a book on any page and ask your child to read.  If they make 1 or 2 errors then the book should be a good choice.

Above all, do not over correct errors and stop ifyour child is feeling frustrated with the text - remember reading should be fun. "Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body."  Sir Richard Steele.

Jennifer Orgill

This blog is a copy of my article in Southwater Life magazine - March 2014 edition

LEARNING QUOTE OF THE MONTH - FEBRUARY

When we judge a child on their ability to perform well in a traditional "pen and paper" test are we narrowing our understanding and appreciation of all that child has to offer?  Are we in danger of taking away a child's self esteem and confidence?  This month's quote is from Albert Einstein who was considered a failure at school.  

"Everybody is a genius.  But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."

LEARNING QUOTE OF THE MONTH (January 2014)

Keep this quote in mind next time you are planning a lesson or simply learning a new skill for yourself:


"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

Albert Einstein 



Go ahead - try something different and remember it is ok to find things difficult or even to get things wrong.