As school resumes in the New Year I am once again struck by how much of my child's life a teacher sees and has control over. Also how much power his/her words have long after school is over. If you are a teacher or know a teacher would you post one thing you wish parents knew or did. You don't have to be a parent to do this and it will be helpful. Memories of teachers who made an impression are helpful also.
Thanks,
Linda

By Feona on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 08:33 am:

I remember the nice teachers in my sons lifes.
Ones that don't cause me stress!

I remember I music teacher that I liked. I really like playing the flute ( sadly badly)

Johns current teacher says he wants the kids to know there parents enjoy reading so he has a monthly book report that the kids does and the parent does a seperate one!

So I or dear husband have to read books on pluto or venus which my son loves! And then we have to do a book report too. Can you believe this? It is too funny.

Then the child reads both reports the next day. Stressful though.

By Feona on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 08:35 am:

Funny also is a spelling test with a 98 on it.

The teacher wrote "Good effort" on it! I think I will just bang my head against the wall.

By Northcountrymom on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 05:06 pm:

Feona,
Thank you for giving me a good laugh on a challenging day. When you said that you guys have to read books on Venus and Pluto and do a book report I laughed out loud. When my oldest was learning to read he loved wrestling, wrestlers and all that at the time had to do with WWF. I would create controversey if I shared my views on those things but he l-o-v-e-d books, stories, magazines about them. So we would read for hours about Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior etc. He became an excellent reader but you reminded me how. At least the planets is science and has future value.

The comment about the 98 is absurd. I'd be banging my head along with you.

Linda

By Paulas on Sunday, January 18, 2009 - 08:57 pm:

As a teacher, the one thing I wish parents did (and many do) is turn off the tv and talk to your child. It also wouldn't hurt to cuddle and enjoy a good book with your child.

By Northcountrymom on Monday, January 19, 2009 - 01:09 am:

Paula, Thank you for sharing a teacher's wisdom.
What grade do you teach?

You are so right that my little guy will stop almost anything to cuddle and read a book. He loves being read to. As he gets older the books get longer and the stories more complex and he loves them even more. His school and our church both encourage him to read to younger children. He knows how because we have been doing it for so long.

At school he has a kindergarten reading buddy - he loves reading to him. The school actually lets them have special lunches together and other privilege/fun opportunities to help them bond.

My husband also does a story reading from the Bible or a devotional book every morning and than they discuss the topic. My son automatically turns off everything and waits for them to do this. If my husband forgets my son actually reminds him.

Thanks for the reminder of how important it is to continue these reading/love moments. Its easy to slack off as they get older.

Have any suggestions for a math counterpart!!!!!