Tips from Teaching & Learning for parents

This week marks the halfway point of Term 2. We are three-quarters of the way through Semester 1 and reports are just around the corner. For the last few years Dominic College has not only included a statement about your child’s achievements but we have also highlighted particular areas where your child needs to continue to focus to ensure their ongoing development. These are called Strategies for Improvement.

As the coordinator I read the report of every child in Years 3 – 6 and I see recurring themes in this section. As an educator I understand exactly what the class teacher is suggesting the child needs to work on to see continued growth but I sometimes wonder if it is as clear to parents and students. Are you as parents able to support your child in providing the help the teacher is suggesting?

In this article I hope to give you some tools to tap into, once you have had time to digest the report and discuss progress with your child’s teacher(s). I trust these tips will help you and your child make the most of the strategies for improvement that will be suggested by teachers:

Maths: https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/Maths/

This site has some excellent, hands on tips and activities that specially target the areas that often appear in the Strategies for Improvement section – times tables, measurement, money, telling the time and the four operations – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It is sorted by age and provides ideas, downloadable materials and videos.

Reading and Speaking: http://www.wordsforlife.org.uk/

This site is also arranged by age. It contains tips on how to read with your child, book recommendations for things that are popular with a particular age group and suggestions of how to develop speaking skills.

Homework Help: https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/education-jar...

The ‘Jargon Buster’ is a great tool for a number of subject areas. Perfect for when you can’t remember the difference between active and passive voice or when you can’t think of an example of an adverbial phrase right off the top of your head.

Organised in alphabetical order with common educational terms each entry includes a definition, examples and video support.

The Teacher: Finally, make a note of any questions you have or anything that is unclear and check with the teacher. We only want the best for your child and are always happy to explain or provide extra support where needed.

Mrs Sue Cunningham - Coordinator of Teaching & Learning 3-6