Strategies For Success -

Students:

1. Get to know your teacher personally as soon as possible, either by introducing yourself to him or her before school, staying after class for a minute or two to say hello, or finding some other time to say hi. Teachers pay more attention to those students who act like they want to learn, so let your teacher know that you're out there!

2. Try to ask at least one question in class each day. If there is something that you don't understand, ask about it. If you feel like you have understood everything that day, ask one question that clarifies something. Again, you're letting the teacher know that learning is important to you. Also, knowing that you'll be asking one question everyday will help you stay more focused on what's going on in class.

3. Keep up with your homework and classwork. I know this sounds obvious, but it really does make learning math easier.

Parents:

1. Get to know your child's teacher as early in the year as possible. Attend Back-to-School Night, send a note to school or just call early in the year. Teachers are very responsive to students that come from interested and supportive families.

2. Sit down with your child when they do their homework each evening. Or, if this is not feasible, ask to see his or her work after he or she has finished it, so that you'll know what is going on in school and your child will know that you care about his or her studies.

3. Let your child know that how he or she does in school is important to you. Parents are the number one factor in students' motivation, outside of their own intrinsic desire to learn. Expect your child to do his or her best, and accept his or her best as just that - his or her very best.