Teachers teaching parents.?

Question

Would any teachers out there be willing to give up an evening a month or every two months to "brush up" parents on their children's school and homework. This would be in the form of a "class" taught by one teacher for each grade level for all parents interested in knowing how to answer the homework questions and look it over properly and not just check if it's all filled in. Arranged by the school and either free or a small fee for each parent in attendance. Same for the parents out there...Would you like, or even go to, a refresher class that would help you and your child(ren) once a month, once every two months, three, four...? I'm talking all ages here K-12.

MORE RESPONSES PLEASE! And thank you to those that have already! I love the online help suggestions. I also realize that once a month is a bit extreme. I was thinking more along the lines of quarterly classes, just enough to keep up so you know what is being taught in what time frame and what to expect. For those that remember all the stuff kids need to know now, that's great. However, do you remember the process to arrive at the correct answer or know what is the current method being taught. I have a sister in 6th grade that was taught a different way than I was for certain math equations, science experiements, etc. That is mainly what I figure the class/seminar could cover. Nothing too in depth or mind boggling but also completely rounded for all subjects.

Answer 1

I think that there may be parents interested in being more helpful to their kids, but going to meeting once a month will not work. They need timely help when their child needs it.

If you live in a district with enough affluence that most of your kids have computers/internet at home, why not make a VoiceThread for topics that are likely to give trouble. You can make them free and just include a short written link to them in the student assignment sheet or on a website for your class if you have one. Best of all, you can keep reusing your VoiceTHread over and over again year after year that you teach that material. VoiceThread is at http://voicethread.com/. The kids and parents can even post a question or response to it right there on the VoiceThread by typing, recording audio, or writing on the slide.

Another option is to get a free vRoom from Elluminate and let parents drop in during office hours that teachers can share monitoring. You can get a free 3-seater vRoom at http://www.elluminate.com/vroom/. In these vRooms you will have audio (if parents have a mic), text chat, a whiteboard, and even webcam capabilities. All the parents will need is a link to the online classroom. You can also use the online classroom to tutor the kids, meet for a game time, and hold parent teacher conferences all from the comforts of the teacher's and parent's own homes.

Answer 2

Erm - the bankers and other professionals this scheme is aimed at will already have a degree, often in sought after subjects such as maths and economics. Do you honestly think you can just walk into a high paid city job without a degree? Nobody has said that people who don't already have an undergraduate degree can take part in this scheme. For all of you who are outraged at the idea of four years of education being squeezed into 6 months, this simply isn't the case. A PGCE is a one year course which any graduate with a degree relating to the subject they wish to study can undertake. All that is happening is that this one year course is being compressed into six months. Plus - so far as I am aware - the PGCE has the usual holidays at Christmas and Easter, as well as the long break in summer. The full amount of time actually spent studying or on placements, therefore, is around 36 weeks, not an actual full year. Presuming this course will have shortened holidays (as most intensive courses do), the total time spent will probably be around 24 weeks. So that's a third less, not half. I don't actually have a very strong opinion on whether this is enough or not, I just wanted to point out to those of you who are going on about the unfairness of it all that you seem to have the wrong end of the stick.

Answer 3

It sounds like a broad topic that could be addressed with one meeting - what sort of involvement is helpful, and what it not helpful in the student/parent/homework equation.

I worked at an urban school, where the administration and counseling staff would host a Parent Academy evening once a month - ranging from the topic of homework involvement, to other parenting issues (drugs, sex, internet safety, etc), college apps and financial aid help, etc. It was open to every parent, I think participation was around 25% - not bad.

And no, as a teacher I would not participate. I am busy enough with the responsibilities of teaching and my own family!

Answer 4

that sounds very interesting you should draft l letter and send it to your local school board. Or at a PTA meeting. I do believe parents should be more involved in the future success of these young minds. We do need to do something. In some areas this could be privately funded. I Have six school age children the eldest in college now. The youngest in 2nd grade. Now the only problem I can see is not enough parents involving themselves. Or the parents that really need it feeling too embarrassed to show up. In many cases the teacher spends more time with these children than the parent.

I think it is a great idea take it as far as u can

Answer 5

It's a wonderful idea... but reality is a little different. Imagine being a mother (working outside the home or not) and having three kids. You are running all over the place dropping them of at soccer practice, music lessons, running errands... The LAST thing you want to do it go to a class and try to learn something. By the end of the day, you already feel like your brain is going to fall out of your head. If all parents had that kind of time, they would just home-school their kids. I dunno, maybe it's because I DO still remember how to do long division,maybe it's because I went to college for ten years. I don't really need a refresher course. Anything I do need refreshing on can be found on the internet anyway. I teach my kids how to look up their questions in the dictionary or internet before they come ask me. There is no. "Mom! How do you spell amoeba?!?" in my house. There is a big, fat dictionary sitting on each desk and even the six year old knows how to use it. Any questions that do make it to me are usually questions about which source is best to use or which form of the word to use. I make my children at least try to figure it out on their own before they come and tax my brain. I'm already overextended with work, bills, cooking, laundry, and all that other lovely stuff adults get to deal with. Plus, in the end, looking it up for themselves will make them more mentally independent.

You may wish to change your ideas to a seminar for parents to learn techniques to use at home to help support their education. Flashcards around the house for little ones learning to read (print LAMP and tape it to the lamp, etc). Those kinds of easy tricks people can do at home.

God luck!

Answer 6

Work in the inner city and it is not safe to be there after dark. Don't think it would work, and I don't think parents would attend. Out of 30 students, I only get about 6 parents who attend Parent Teacher Conference.

Answer 7

We have that at our Back to School Night and at the PTG meetings. Next Tuesday we have Back to School Night and after the teacher speaks, one of our teachers will give a short presentation on our math curriculum. I also have an online group for my class. Parents can ask questions and I answer them. The cool thing is that everyone sees the questions and answers.

Answer 8

No, I would say most people would not attend. I gotta say, I can't remember my parents EVER looking over my homework. They got a call from the teacher if there were problems.

Answer 9

That sounds like a great idea! I never thought about that. I'm a teacher for grade 3 and i see in math kids just rights down randum answers and there parents sign it off because they don't know anything about what there doing. Thanks for that suggestion, I'm going to try that!

Thank you!

Answer 10

I would do it. But I think others are right. The ones who show up are probably the ones that already help their children with their homework anyway. You would have to have a large incentive...like a catered dinner or something.