Special section: technology in the classroom
Book bags, pencils, pens, lunch boxes, school clothes: Check! Your kids are ready for the school year with their shiny new school supplies. But are they ready? Often we equate preparing for school with shopping and making sure our kids have enough school supplies. When the purchasing frenzy is over, what is left to do? Quite a bit, actually.
Those weeks before the start of school are a perfect time to mentally prepare your children for the school year and to create your own game plan for a smooth year. Here are some tips to keep in mind during your last weeks of summer vacation.
Get Prepared for Technology
PowerPoint presentations in 4th grade? The 3 R’ s now have a T … Technology, our newest form of literacy. The accessibility of technology increases daily and with it comes the expectation that students are also technologically savvy. Many school districts expect children to know how to use the basics of the Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Pencil and paper are no longer the preferred means of communication. Writing assignments must be typed, presentations are designed using PowerPoint, and homework is often accessed through iPads. Even kindergartners are tapping away at computers equipped with skillbuilding software. Investing wisely in technology prevents much of the lag that comes from not having basic keyboarding skills or computer knowledge.
Technology is rapidly changing and the availability of products is always increasing, so parents can find inexpensive tablets, iPads, and laptops for half the price from even five years ago. Printers and scanners are remarkably affordable these days, allowing students to print, scan or email assignments to teachers.
Don’ t be surprised if teachers ask your fifth grader to make a PowerPoint presentation about Abraham Lincoln to present in front of the class.
Get‘ Em Up and Reading
With cloudless blue skies and gorgeous temperatures, many parents find it virtually impossible to anchor their children down to read books; however, that’ s exactly what parents must do. Some children are naturally drawn to books while others need to be coaxed. Nonetheless, even if your children have avoided reading all summer, they can get their reading muscles moving and ready to start the school year when provided engaging and fun books.
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