Posted by: Sara Carbone on: April 10, 2012
Ever wish your kid actually cared about what she was studying? Not the grade, but the actual topic? In the book Unconditional Parenting – Moving From Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason education expert Alfie Kohn writes: In place of excessive focus on school achievement, we should take a lively interest in what the child is learning. [...]
Posted by: Sara Carbone on: March 19, 2012
“A little less conversation, a little more action” sang The King. Very true when it comes to helping the kid who avoids and procrastinates. A kid avoids homework for many reasons – it’s hard, boring, overwhelming or just plain inconvenient. Lecturing and nagging doesn’t tend to work. So try some action instead. Sit down and [...]
Posted by: Sara Carbone on: March 10, 2012
With arms crossed, Rebecca stares stonily at the bedroom wall. Anna peers down anxiously at her. “Your work habits are going to keep you from ever being able to hold down a job. If -” says Anna. “Stop talking.” Rebecca’s hand coming up could halt an oncoming train. “Just leave.” “Look, we know you can [...]
Posted by: Sara Carbone on: March 6, 2012
There are certain words and phrases that come with baggage. Our culture uses them over and over again in ways that mean they’re loaded with negative connotations. I tend to avoid them when working with children. This may seem like silly semantics, but I like using language that aims to keep academic work clear of [...]
Posted by: Sara Carbone on: February 22, 2012
More tips on how to advise the child whose book report has so many negative comments it looks like it was dipped in red paint. Do start with something positive. Any time a student and I are going over work, I start off with the strengths. Examples: “Excellent structure and very clear topic sentences. Now [...]
Posted by: Sara Carbone on: February 20, 2012
Joyce Meiklejohn of NY reflects on helping her two teenagers, Grace and Erick, with school. Sara Carbone: What do you think teenagers typically struggle with in school? Joyce Meiklejohn: A kid who is not doing well in school or making poor choices is very unhappy with his circumstances. Much like the adults around him, he has [...]
Posted by: Sara Carbone on: February 7, 2012
Erica is an experienced educator currently teaching 7th grade science at a Westchester, NY public school. Sara Carbone: When are parents too involved? Erica: Some parents are overly involved, requesting homework directly from the teacher. At the middle school level, this does not prepare your child to take responsibility for her schoolwork. She becomes dependent [...]
Posted by: Sara Carbone on: January 31, 2012
Perhaps when you and your daughter discuss why she cut three math classes the conversation flows like water, buoyed along by mutual respect and understanding. If so, then you’re blessed and congrats on a job well done. But for many parents, giving advice gets stopped by a wall of misunderstanding, resentment or just plain goofy [...]
Posted by: Sara Carbone on: January 22, 2012
1. When your kid gets a poor grade on a test you: a) Lecture him about what he did wrong until his eyes glaze over or he walks away b) Get into a fight about it and take his cell phone away for a week c) Sit down with him and start with several gentle, [...]
Teacher Comments – A Road To Higher Grades
Posted by: Sara Carbone on: January 22, 2012
Teacher comments on a test or paper are a straight road to a higher grade. The teacher is writing down what she wants, but most kids don’t look past the final grade. So sit down with your kid and decipher teacher comments in the margins or at the end of the paper or test (particularly [...]