Family Connections: Note to Parents about their Role

Milk and Cookies

When I think of Gerard, I imagine a tall, bony kid with sandy long hair swept over his forehead.  His copper colored freckles were already fading away at ten years old.  During my first three years of teaching, Gerard was one of 28 reasons I loved coming to work every day.

Fast forward to an athletic looking tall, bald man with a thin gold ear ring and the same intelligent, enthusiastic smile he wore as a child.  When he thanked me for coming to his wedding, a clear picture of what teaching was like 25 years ago sprung to my mind.

Gerard had a book for every subject.  He knew that after page 36, we would do page 37.  Math was pure computation – which included learning how many pecks in a bushel.  Writing instruction consisted mainly of how to answer the questions at the end of a chapter.  Gerard’s desk would have been part of a straight row that made it easy to tell if students were cheating or talking.  I could tell his family was involved in his education because his mother made sure he had a snack and a quiet place to work.

If Gerard were again in my class, he would notice some huge changes.  He would see that fifth graders have almost no text books.  His math book would consist of notes he made after investigations and that his mathematical thinking and explanations would be valued more than merely having the right answer.  Students who discussed the skills and ideas with each other would be considered obedient, not “talkers”.

Gerard would also notice that his parents were far more involved in his academic training than merely providing milk and cookies and a quiet place to work.  These parents still provide a quiet place to read and study, but also buy books or make regular library visits.  Students these days need parents who model a love of reading and find out what’s happening in their child’s education.  These parents stimulate their child’s mind by listening to their children and answering questions.  Modern parents enrich their children with art, music, sports, and parental time.