Keep tabs on your students’ school work, while still maintaining their independence.
If you have junior high or high school aged kids, here are a few statements that just might sound familiar: “Those aren’t my real grades.” “My teacher hasn’t graded my homework yet.” “My assignment isn’t really due until the end of term.” We’re helping you navigate all things school minus the nagging.
Educational consultant Michelle Love-Day shared a few things every parent can do to understand teachers and classwork better.
The Importance of Parent-Teacher Communication
It’s important for parents to stay engaged with their child’s education, especially after parent-teacher conferences. “Call the teacher up and schedule an appointment to hear how your child’s doing and what’s been missing,” advised Michelle. This proactive approach helps parents understand the expectations and empowers students to take control of their grades.
Canvas for Parents
Older students often rely on platforms like Canvas to manage their assignments. Michelle recommended that parents also get involved. “There is a parent portal that you can sync your canvas to.” This lets parents monitor assignments and grades, ensuring that statements like “my teacher hasn’t graded it yet” can be verified. By pairing their code with their child’s Canvas code, parents can see if assignments were graded and understand the reasons behind any missing points.
Balancing Independence and Support
While some parents believe in leaving academic responsibilities entirely to their children to teach them responsibility, Michelle suggested a balanced approach. “Teach them how to ask for help, to get that extension, to get that extra time, the tutoring, to advocate for themselves,” she said. This helps kids learn independence and also ensures that they learn to communicate effectively with their teachers.
Setting Expectations and Rewards
Setting clear expectations and rewarding academic achievements can motivate students. Michelle shared her personal approach. “I do reward and pay my children because I say school is your job,” she explained. Negotiating rewards for grades can help students understand the value of their efforts. For instance, Michelle’s daughter negotiated a flat rate for the quarter, which she used to build a PC.
The Role of Communication
Effective communication is the cornerstone of supporting a child’s education. Michelle emphasized the importance of staying involved. Everything comes down to communication, between parent to teacher, parent to child. This ongoing dialogue helps parents provide the necessary support while allowing students to develop their independence.
Navigating junior high and high school education requires parents, teachers, and students to collaborate. By staying engaged, parents can help their children succeed academically.
Find Michelle on Instagram, @m.love_dayconsulting or visit her website, love-dayconsulting.com.
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