School Work

Here are some more information for School Work:

1. The first grade is the doorway to the child's entire education. It must be a positive experience because it will affect the rest of his life. If he learns to love school in the first grade, he will enjoy in the rest of his school years.

2. Your decision to homeschool you first grader is a great responsibility. Don't panic. Don't stress out. Yes, this is an important time in the life of your child, and you may not feel prepared or capable. Relax. Have fun. Your child will learn every thing he needs if YOU enjoy school.

3. Make your first grader the 1 most important member of the family. Let him feel that first grade is very important. You can show it in small, simple ways. For example, let him sit beside you when you read, even if he is not the youngest child. Let him have special school crayons or pencil for use only when doing school work.

4. Don't let the preschoolers do the first grade workbooks. They see older children doing it and it looks so fun. Make it a special part of first grade, that only those special first graders get to do. Then when your preschooler gets to first grade, it will be new and exciting.

5. Play learning games like word games and letter games. Include lots of pre-school activities. But at the same time, don't let play distract form studies. Keep a good balance between work and play. Think of it as a balance. Work is on one side, play on the other. If the work side gets too heavy, the child may end up disliking school, get grumpy about doing his work, make your job of teaching harder, and learn almost nothing. On the other hand if the play side of the balance gets too heavy, the child learns no study skills which will be a disadvantage when he gets in higher grades.

6. It is important to teach the child to finish his school work in a timely manner.You need to expect work from him, and he needs to know that it is expected of him. Work is in fact a frame of mind. So using this balance of play and work, make his work pleasant so that it seems more like play.

7. Focus on reading. Reading is the base that the child will build his entire education on. If he learns only this one skill in first grade, he will be prepared for the rest of his school years. Center your first grade curriculum around your reading program. Of course the other subjects are important, but phonics, writing, spelling, and language can all be incorporated into the reading program. History can be taught during story time which is important to any reading program.

8. Math is also very important. Choose a good math course that will continue on and build through each grade.

9. Don't forget art. Drawing, coloring, and cutting all improve eye-hand coordination which in turn will help delve lope reading and writing skills.

10. Keep a fast pace. First graders don't have a real long attention span. Alternate between math and reading throughout the day so that the child doesn't get tired of doing one subject.

The first year of school will take more of your time than any other year. If the proper foundation is laid in the first grade, the child can almost take himself through his lessons the rest of his school years.

Lily Ann is a mother of six who enjoys great success in homeschooling. To read more about homeschooling ideas visit http://twentynine-homeschool-fun.blogspot.com

Oklahoma Schools Working for Recognition

All schools across America strive for excellence, which is reflected through various regional, state, or national awards. Being recognized as an excellent place of learning can help schools in numerous ways. Some awards give the recipients a cash bonus, while others give an endorsement of excellence. Oklahoma City Public Schools are no exception. Recognized for numerous, innovative programs, and admirable improvement, Oklahoma Schools enjoy a high status within the 50 states. Improved in reading and math, advances in technology, and being named a Blue Ribbon School are all examples of these recognitions.

One of the highest national honors an Oklahoma School (or any other school in the nation, for that matter), can receive is being named a Blue Ribbon School. The Blue Ribbon honors schools that have closed achievement gaps and where students are excelling at high levels. For the 2006 – 2007 school year, several Oklahoma Schools have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. More than 50 schools in the state

have been honored since this program began in 1982. Six Oklahoma Schools were honored for the school year. Four elementary schools and two middle schools received the honor.

The number of K-12 schools, public or private, that each state can nominate depends on that state’s population. 60 percent of schools nominated each year for the Blue Ribbon status are recognized by the federal government. All six of the nominated Oklahoma Schools won the recognition. These Oklahoma Schools are recognized because they have met criteria in two areas. These requirements are: improvements made by low-income students, and schools that have scored in the top 10% on the state’s standardized tests.

Advances in technology have been made in Oklahoma Schools. More than 200,000 computers are available for students’ use, at a rate of one computer for every three students. Ninety-nine percent of Oklahoma Schools classrooms have internet access. A majority of this progress in technology comes from the federal E-Rate program, local bond issues and grants, and upgrades for schools and libraries in high poverty areas.

Oklahoma Schools not only added technology to the classrooms, but have also integrated standards defining basic skills of technology into its core curriculum for Pre-K through 12th grade, known as the Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS). Students must learn the operation of a computer, application of software as a tool, problem-solving skills, telecommunications skills and ethical and legal issues in using technology.

Oklahoma Schools have shown improved performance in reading and math at all levels between 2002 and 2006. Achievement gaps between different ethnic groups have

narrowed between 2002 and 2006 in reading at all grade levels tested. The biggest improvements were seen in elementary math, but reading scores have also increased.

In the Technology Counts 2007 report released March 29, Oklahoma Schools earned an overall B- compared to the national average of a C+. The state’s schools scored an A- in the use of technology for student standards, establishing a virtual school and offering computer-based testing. Oklahoma Schools, as well as the other schools throughout the nation were surveyed to measure the status of K-12 educational technology; developments over the past ten years are also considered.

About the Author

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit Oklahoma City Public Schools

How can I keep up with school work when I'm at home sick?

I left school early yesterday because I had a cough and some trouble breathing. Now I'm at home sick with bronchitis and I plan to be out for about 2/3 days (I have to be at school on Thursday because I've already been out for 15 days in total.) I feel like absolute shit and I'm in no condition to do any school work or study. What are some ways I can keep up with school work while I'm sick?

Get friends to bring you home homework, or have it e-mailed, teachers usually have e-mail access these days.
Best you can do is be prepared for when you'll return.

WEST WINDSOR: School board seeks bids on custodial work
The West Windsor-Plainsboro school board voted unanimously Tuesday to solicit bids for custodial, maintenance, grounds and management services.

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