Ever wonder what your child’s teacher is thinking? This is it (from a former teacher).
After a parent, a teacher is more than likely the second most influential adult in your child’s life. Think about it, they actually spend more hours in the day with your child than what you do. So a good relationship with your child’s teacher is important, here are 10 things to remember.
1. A set morning routine is important.
Children work best when they work to a strong routine and know what to expect. A good structure in the morning helps to set them up for the rest of the school day. Children need adequate time to prepare themselves for the day ahead and should always have something to eat for breakfast, even if it’s just something small on the commute to school.
2. Being on time makes a big difference.
Sometimes being late to school can’t be avoided. But it is very disruptive to that child, as well as the rest of the class. Missing the beginning of a lesson can mean that the student doesn’t completely grasp the concept being explored and may not be caught up until a later time.
3. Find appropriate times to talk.
Bell times (9:00am and 3:00pm) are not the best times to have an extended chat with a teacher. 9:00am onwards is learning time and talking to a parent during this time generally isn’t fair to the class. 3:00pm can be difficult too, as most teachers are making sure students are being picked up by the appropriate person and not wondering off alone. If you need to talk to your child’s teacher about something that requires more than a few mintues, the best thing to do is arrange a time to meet that’s suitable for both of you, like after pick-ups or during lunch.
4. We wear lots of hats and can’t be responsible for everything.
Teachers have lots of commitments. Besides having their own class, they generally take on extra roles within the school throughout the school year. Taking medication if required, keeping track of of personal belongings and eating all of their food are things that students need to take responsibility for. These responsibilities need to be supported by the parent, not just the teacher. It’s also important to remember that the primary role of a teacher is to provide students with an education. Teachers are not qualified doctors, speech therapists or nutritionists, so if they suggest further referrals as a result of an issue, you shouldn’t be offended.
5. Know your child’s timetable.
Between choir, dance, gardening club, SRC meeting and the zillion other things any one student may be doing, it can be hard for a teacher to remind all students of their individual upcoming events or commitments. Know your child’s routine and what is coming up by following school communication (like notes hiding at the bottom of the school bag), particularly when it comes to carnivals, excursions and other school events. Keeping a calendar can help to make sure you and your child are on top of their commitments.
6. We don’t give out homework to annoy you.
Good homework consolidates what your child has learnt. There is nothing in a students homework that they shouldn’t be able to do, as it should only be revision of what they have already learnt. If you’re doing your child’s homework, not only is it painful for you, but your child isn’t learning anything. If homework isn’t suitable, let your child’s teacher know so that it can be modified.
7. Try not to get defensive.
It might be hard not to get defensive if a teacher is telling you your child is falling behind, or has done something wrong. But it’s important to hear them out. They’re doing this in the best interest of your child. Working with your child’s teacher will always provide a better outcome for you, as well as, your child.
8. Have an open mind.
Children can find it hard to take a perspective on an event and explain themselves adequately. This means sometimes when they tell you about something that happened at school, it can sound worse than it actually is. Voice concerns with your child’s teacher and give them the chance to talk to other students if an incident has occurred that has made your child angry or upset. More often than not, it is easily resolved.
9. Keep in touch, even when there’s nothing wrong.
Sometimes teachers don’t see a parent until they have a problem with something. A good relationship with your child’s teacher goes a long way. It’s good to check in every now and again to see how your child is going.
10. We’re on your side.
We both have the same interests at heart. The happiness and well-being of your child. So work with us. For a teacher, there is nothing more satisfying that seeing a child thrive and that is what we above all aim for. Having your support is a huge help.
What is your relationship with your child’s teacher like?
SCROLL THROUGH the gallery for easy teacher’s gifts to make…
Everyone can use a tote for homework or groceries, so you can be sure shell use it. Block off the chevron pattern using painters tape. Then paint the bottom stripe with the fabric paint shade of your choosing. Then add white paint to make it a shade lighter before paining the second stripe. Pull off the tape and let dry.
Succulents are low-maintenance houseplants, so your kids teacher will love it even if shes green thumb challenged. Tape off the bottom section of your clay pot. Prime the bottom section with a layer of white paint, which will help the neon pop more. Once thats dry, let kids help painting a few coats of your neon shade of choice. Let dry, peel off tape, and then pop your plant in. Finish it off with a cute thank-you flag.
Purchase a plastic to-go straw cup (available almost anywhere, especially coffee houses and bookstores) and some single serve powdered drink mixes, such as lemonade. Print the template for the straw flag and slide it over top of the straw after putting the cap on the cup filled with the drink mixes. It's a sweet treat that will stand out from the ho-hum boxes of chocolates and cookies your child's teacher will most likely receive from a lot of students.
Find an empty egg carton and some scrapbook paper you want to cover it with. Cut two rectangles, approximately 11"x4" to cover the outside and inside of the carton. Clip the edges to make them rounded. With the leftover paper, you can make a recipe book for the muffins you will be putting inside them. For the recipe book, take a brown paper bag and add some decorative paper, but feel free to write in your own handwriting. It adds a personal touch. Check out Fiskars.com for a great muffin recipe too.
Recycle a tin can and attach your pencils or crayons with tacky glue. Wrap the whole container with one strip of tape all the way around to hold it in place as the container is drying. Remove the tape and voila! You have a heartfelt gift that was no stress and hardly any mess.
Print off the sign and frame it with either a store-bought frame, or get crafty and creative by decorating your own to look like school-themed like this one. This gift may take only minutes to assemble, but we're sure this sign will be hanging up in that teacher's classroom for years to come.
Cut an apple in half and dip it into fabric paint. Press the apple half onto a blank canvas bag. Be sure not too pile on too much paint so the bag doesn't drip or get too saturated. Make a pretty pattern with the stamps and you'll be giving a gift that will have her carrying your child with her always. Tip: in case your kiddo's stamp isn't quite perfect, use a brush to smooth out the lines.
Buy a set of fun note cards at stores like TJ Maxx or Target. You can typically get lucky and find a nice set for under $4. Then print out the template, and you'll have a cute tag that says, "'Take NOTE' you are one of my very favorite teachers! Thanks for a great school year!" It's cute, clever and a very practical gift any teacher would enjoy.
Combine Epsom salt, baking soda, table salt and essential oils to make the bath salts. Let them dry for 24 hours. Then pour into decorative jars, and pretty them up with labels (free printable labels on The Idea Room) and ribbon or string.
Put a small glass cup or jar inside of a larger mason jar. Fill the space between the two jars with plastic refrigerator magnet letters and numbers. Fill the smaller, inner jar with water to put your beautiful bouquet in. Get your child to pick some wildflowers for that extra, special touch.
Spray chalkboard paint on a small flower pot. Pick scrapbook paper to make seed packets and download the PDF template on the website. Place a couple of seeds in the homemade paper packet and attach a note that says something cute like "Thank you for helping plant the seeds of knowledge." Finish it off by writing the teacher's name in chalk on the pot and even attach the chalk to the gift so the recipient can later write what plant they are growing on the pot for years to come.
Take a tin can and wrap a rubber band around it. Stick different colors of colored pencils around the can, under the rubber band to hold them in place. Mark up a ribbon to make it look like a ruler and wrap it around the can, covering the rubber band. fill with water and flowers and you're finished with one of the quickest and classiest classroom gifts, ever.
Find a cute box (or even recycle an old First-Aid kit) and fill with some pick-me-ups the teacher will find useful. If you know coffee is her thing, throw in some instant Starbucks coffee pouches. If not, tea or even Crystal Light pouches do the trick. Throw in some mints, power bars, a few pens, maybe a stress ball and, of course, something sweet.
Find a small wooden box at a craft store and decorate it with your child (or find an already nicely-decorated box). Fill it with one or two stamps accompanied with an inkpad. Create a tag that says, "Thanks for being such a great teacher. You've earned our STAMP of approval" and ta-da: you've created a memorable gift.
Fill an oven mitt with goodies, from classroom supplies like pencils and scissors, to treats you know she loves -- your kid will know what she likes. It's all a set-up for the cute tag, which says "I have to ad-'MITT' you're a great teacher!" Tie it all up with a pretty ribbon to add the finishing touch.
Grab some chalkboard paint at your local craft store and paint a wide stripe on the bottom of the mug. With some chalk, write the teachers name or a special message. Then fill it with little gifts for her to enjoy later like tea, coffee or biscotti. Don't forget to throw in a box of chalk in there too! Teachers can always use some.
You're going to need a computer, card stock, basic wall clock, and some school supplies. Design your clock face on Microsoft Word (or use this template) and print it out on an 8 " by 11" cardstock, cutting an 8 inch circle around the center of your design. Use a small screwdriver to remove the screws on the back of the clock, and trim the hour and minute hands with wire cutters to make them 1.5" long and 2.5" long. Set clock hands aside. Place the cardstock circle on top of the clock face, careful to poke a hole for the center. This is so you can reattach the clock hands. Place small school supplies you've gathered such as broken crayons, pencil sharpeners and erasers around the clock where numbers would be. Reassemble the clock, clean the glass and this fancy gift is done in no time!
Mix some caramel dip (you can find it at your local grocery store in the produce section) with 230 grams of cream cheese. Then, layer the mix with plain caramel dipping sauce and some Heath Bar bits in a 1/2 pint mason jar. Seal the jar and place it in a cellophane bag. Before tying up your bag with a pretty ribbon, place a fresh apple on top of the jar.
All you need to do is gather the supplies you want to stack and make a sturdy base out of composition books. To make that base, you'll need approximately 21 boxes of 24 count crayons, 14 carded large glue sticks, 12 notebooks, 4 composition books, 10 packs of index cards, notebook paper, 1 package of markers and assorted ribbon, and rubber bands. Stack everything and secure with a ribbon. You may need to lightly glue some supplies to help them stay secure.
Print off the template from iHeartNaptime.com and attach small chocolates to the front. If you have some extra time, you can even print out matching labels to tape over the chocolates.
Find a flat circle wreath, cut one out of cardboard or make a circle out of some bendable tubing. Glue the crayons on at two points (at the middle and the base for extra stability). Attach a bow with a loop and you have yourself a crayon wreath.
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Until two weeks ago I was a teacher and I did this all the time.