Thursday, October 9, 2014

Behavior Interventions

Some problems parents have voiced to me many times when they switch to doing school at home are their child acting out, misbehaving, or not being very motivated to do school with them. This can take away a LOT of time from learning because there is a lot of time spent disciplining instead. Here is a lengthy list of many ideas to help in that situation- it can definitely make or break your school-at-home experience! 


 
Motivation tips for online learners

·      Be explicit in your plan and goals for the day
·      Clearly communicate work/learning expectations
·      Be as consistent as possible so students know what to expect each day
·      Let them help you determine their daily schedule. If they feel empowered and that their opinion is valued, they will be more likely to care about the work they are doing
·      Provide choices (“You can do this or this, but not doing it isn’t an option.”)
·      Figure out the best time of day for them to work on the subject they’re not motivated to do, do it then
·      Break up challenging subjects into “chunks” so students don’t feel overwhelmed with what they feel is the most difficult (do quick “brain breaks”)
·      “Real world learning”
One of the greatest things about online learning is that you as the parent or learning coach is there every step of the way- you know what they are learning- so use it! Many times also if they are struggling with or don’t like a subject, if you show them the real world application of that subject they will start to respond.
Math: use what you’re learning to add up costs at the grocery store, measurements and fractions in baking, money practice with allowance, etc.
Reading/Language Arts: have your child read billboards and signs while you’re driving, the names of candy bars while you’re checking out at the grocery store, watch videos or clips from books they are reading about (works really well with nonfiction), etc.
Social studies: eat foods from the places you are learning about (you can Google recipes from anywhere), go on virtual field trips and show pictures/videos for the places you’re learning about, learn songs from another country, etc.
Science: experiment, experiment, experiment. Yes it takes some prep work, but it PAYS OFF! Science is SUPPOSED to be hands on
·      Let them become the “expert” in something and teach you about it
·      Reward them and make a big deal of it! (When they finish a unit, project, assessment, etc.) This could be as simple as extra game or TV time, extra privileges, a special meal, outing for a treat, stickers to add to a sticker chart, pie in the face for mom or dad, etc.
·      Get the teacher in on it! If your child is struggling to get through something, let your teacher know so they can provide extra support and encouragement
·      Praise, praise, praise! Students LIVE for your positive feedback (even if they think they are way too cool for it).
·      As the teacher, show enthusiasm for what you’re teaching
·      Make sure they have their own “nook” in the house to work uninterrupted
·      ATTEND CLASS CONNECT LESSONS where they can interact with other students
·      Mix it up! If they always practice writing or math the same way, try a new way!
·      Relate their lessons to their LIVES (Whether it is budgeting for family Christmas gifts, choosing short stories about your town, tying in the war of 1812 with Iraq, rapping about ions, or using Pop Culture Printables, students will care more if they identify themselves or their everyday lives in what they’re learning. 


BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS
(from k12 Inc.) 



 

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Fun videos to get movin'!

Our PE challenge started this month! If student's spend at least 15 hours a month (roughly 30 minutes a day) they will be entered in to win a monthly prize! We have some really cool prizes and gift cards from Sports Authority, Dick's Sporting Goods, Hang Time trampoline gym, etc.

Check out these fun little videos for your student to watch and do!