Managing the First Month of School
Now that the first week of school is over, the jitters have worn off. New school clothes have been worn, and new backpacks broke in. Homework has been assigned and grumbled about at home.
Now that all the various back-to-school milestones have been met, the real school year begins.
With a few weeks under students’ belts, work begins again in earnest. Tests. Homework. Studying. But also, procrastinating. Daydreaming in class. Forgetting schoolwork.
Prevent last year’s school issues from reappearing with this First Month Checklist. It’s a quick & easy way to ensure that last year’s school struggles don’t make an appearance this year.
8 First Month Checklist Back-to-School
Now that school is back in session ensure that students are on track to avoid common pitfalls with this checklist.
1. Communicate with Teachers
Don’t wait until the first report card to find out that things are off track. Take 10 minutes to chat with the teacher about progress and nip any problems in the bud.
2. Complete Homework
Homework is inevitable; the sooner students learn good homework habits, the less of a struggle they’ll face. Do homework at the same time every night, even if none was assigned. Review the day’s lessons, quiz yourself on last week’s work, or read ahead to next week’s lesson.
3. Use Agendas
Agendas are the number-one school organizational tool. Students should write homework, assignments, and to-do lists on their agendas daily. If schools don’t provide agendas, purchase one—they’re that important
4. Talk About School
School is a major part of kids’ lives. If they are unwilling to discuss their day, something may be amiss. Talk to kids about their day and have an open dialogue about school and learning challenges.
5. Watch Frustration & Stress Levels
Between learning new subjects and balancing homework, chores, and social lives, it can be easy for students to become overwhelmed. This can be very de-motivating and can lead to a drop in grades. Get help as soon as it’s needed.
6. Avoid Procrastination
Leaving work to the last minute or not wanting to do work at all is a sign of poor organization skills. Last-minute rushes mean poor preparation, which leads to poor grades. Avoid procrastination by establishing routines, using an agenda, and discussing school expectations on a daily basis.
7. Forgetting Work
Forgetting work, misplacing assignments, or losing textbooks is a sure sign of an off-track student. If students are showing signs of disorganization, get help as soon as possible. Make sure kids have colour-coded binders, and that notes are being filed properly.
8. Limit Screen Time
TVs and computers are some of the biggest homework distractors. Create a media routine with guidelines to help students get into the homework groove.
Master back-to-school here with our handy guide.
Related Back to School Resources
