"Seeking Advice of Moms in Florida-Jacksonville Area

I have the same concern myself with my youngest. When my daughter was in fifth grade she had a wonderful teacher that was very hard but she taught her how to study and she has excelled ever since. I didn't realize at the time how important this habit is to be successful in school. My son is in fifth grade now and he is not being taught how to study. I am trying to remember how my daughter learned but it is difficult when the teachers are so different. I would interested in any tips also.
One thing I do remember is to read the chapter and be able to talk about it rather than just memorize. Also, my daughters best organizer is a five pocket file folder. She is in 9th grade and carries it to all classes and keeps all homeworks and important papers in this one place.
M. W.

We are an Early Childhood program,ages 2.5 to 5. In the Montessori method the student are exposed to a cultural and creative environment,the students learn by doing and the teacher allows the child to learn on his/her own pace.

Well, D. Let me tell ya, I am a preschool teacher but at the end of the day the school agers come in and they have a folder with their homework in it, but they have no concept of how to study and take notes. At least that is what I have learned from the students themselves. Very rarely do the children get a good teacher that teaches that. I don't think they learn that until highschool.
N.

D.,
As one who has taught in public and private schools and homeschooled my children, I think I can speak from a well rounded point of view. I am sorry to say that if your children are in public school, they are likely not being taught to think - to analyze and synthasize, to look past the obvious, to seek for answers, or to do many other things that add up to real learning. I would not rely on your child's teacher either to help you as many are dupped by the system which is one of indoctrination rather than learning. As the parent, it is up to you to find someone who can help you, one on one, to be able to assist your child to become an inquisitive and creative learner. Then the world of truth will be open to him for his entire life. If I lived anywhere near you, I would volunteer. However, do not give up your search in your own area. Someone is there to help you and your child/children. :)

Children are not being taught how to study, be organized, or take notes...they are just expected to do it. It is very RARE that any teacher give them tips on how to do these things but they do not have a lesson plan where they educate the students on the various ways.

I guess it's up to us moms! One thing that is good about tutors/after school programs that are geared to assist students with their homework is that THIS is typically were the students learn the techniques.

Best advice...Try to start a study group in your area with your child. All you are doing is getting a group of students together, maybe Saturday morning from 10-12, and start the subject...let them take over. You will be amazed what they will learn from each other.

Hi D.,

I have a son who is in the 4th grade, and his teacher has given several "guidelines" on how to study throughout the year. The potential problem is that many of the children don't recognize the tools that they are given. My son has been given excellent outlines and study guides that might be made up specifically for one assignment, but the tools can be applied in the future for other assignments. It is up to the parent to help the child realize what they have been given and how to use the information in the future. For example, you can get the child to think using techniques they have already learned by saying, "Remember the chart your teacher gave you to help you organize your notes for the report you did in Science? Well, that same chart can help you organize the information you have gathered for your book report.
When it comes to learning, it depends on the teacher and the parent coming together on either end to make sure that student is getting what they need in the middle. It also depends on how the teacher is prepared and what tools they provide to the student.

I complained about this recently as well. It is so frustrating. I'm thinking that the best bet would be to enroll your child in some sort of extra curricular course (perhaps with Kaplan, etc.) that will teach him to to study, organize, outline, etc. I sincerely think that I'll be doing that soon. I'm aggravated too!

As a kid I grew up in OP, I remember it being my mother and sylvan who taught me how to study, outline and pick out key points. I don't know if it has gotten any better, but heads up, probably not. But something I planed on doing as parent was supplimenting anything and everything my kids are not learning. Seriously, we have the tools now. I think its also up to us as parents to make sure our children are learning properly. Good luck! Jen