Recently, I have posted a few articles about the value of homework and I received some great feedback that parents value homework as it allows them to see what is happening in the classroom. They questioned that if no homework is being sent home how do they know what's happening?
In an effort to help with this, I have set a small goal for myself to post something that's happening in our classrooms once a day to this blog. If you have a request for me to post something from a particular classroom please email me at your convenience at amead@sjsd.net.
Others ways to know what's happening in your child's classroom include when there is no homework include:
a) asking your child to bring home their iPad or binder to show you the work they did that day. Simple reviewing what happened that day is a great way for children to learn more about what they did. If they don't show you, get digging!
b) if your child is in grade 7 or 8 check the parent portal as it shows up to date marks and progress.
c) read your child's teacher's blog or website on a regular basis. These pages include information about what's happening daily in the class. Please go to http://georgewaters.sjsd.net for more info.
d) call or email your child's teacher for updates. Please go to http://georgewaters.sjsd.net for more info.
e) check this blog daily as it shares all sorts of school wide and classroom based information.
f) sign up for my Remond 101 text messaging service. On a regular basis Mr. Mead sends text messages home and to every child's iPad with important information about school events. To be added text 'gwmsa' to 204-800-2782 and then follow the prompts.
A number of teachers have also set up Remind 101 Accounts for their classes too. Contact individual teachers for information to sign up for those classes too.
g) sign up for my Showbie account. In this account Mr. Mead sends challenging questions to every child at GWMS so they can have a voice or share their thoughts. This is a great way for me to see what each child is thinking about current and important issues. To sign up go to http://www.showbie.com and create an account (use the student option). The enroll code is MDUL4. These are great questions to answer with your child. The best part is there are never any wrong answers and it's a great chance to be creative!
You can also sign up for individual teachers accounts that your child uses daily by asking their teachers for the enroll code or their classes.
h) use out social media sites to see what's happening. You can follow me on twitter (@andrewmead73) or our school on Instagram account (@GWMSwpg).
i) check out documents from Manitoba Education at http://edu.gov.mb/k12/cur/parents/ or browse the Manitoba Education website at http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/
These are just some of the ways to know what's happening at GWMS everyday when there is a day with no homework.
If you would like to learn more information about any of the above tools please let me know.
Hope to hear from you!
Sincerely,
Mr. Mead
Principal
Principal
amead@sjsd.net
I love this idea. Even when the post isn't about my child or even their grade, these posts give insight into what goes on where they spend the majority of their time. It gives me more ideas of what to ask to get information from them.
ReplyDeleteNow, if we could only get a few more teachers to work with blogs or even weekly updates.
Great Job, Mr Mead!