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What You Need To Know About Elementary School
When we think of the word “school,” our minds automatically jump to thoughts of high school, college, and maybe even grad school. But there’s a type of education that precedes those: Elementary School.
The old adage: “The early bird catches the worm” is quite true in this case. It’s never too soon to introduce your child to the world of education!
When you begin looking at elementary schools, it may seem like a daunting task. How do you choose? And how much does it cost? These are just a few questions that surface when you’re trying to find the right fit for your little one.
We’ve put together some helpful tips on what you need to know about elementary school, so take a look and get started!
First Things First…How Does School Start?
There are certain requirements that have to be met before enrolling your child in school. You’ll need proof of residency (if applicable), your child’s birth certificate, a social security card, and proof of your current address.
Schools begin at different times of the year based on where you live. Approximately 20 percent of elementary schools begin after Labor Day to allow kids to adjust to their new classrooms without added stress from back-to-school preparations. The majority of school districts that follow this rule are in the Midwestern and Southern regions of the U.S., including Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Georgia.
Many schools around the country provide a calendar well ahead of time so parents can plan accordingly when registering their children for classes. Your local school administration office should also be able to give you an idea of when school begins each year.
What Is The Purpose Of Elementary School?
One of the most important aspects of elementary school is for students to develop their basic skills in reading, writing and arithmetic. But there’s more to it than just that!
Many parents register their children in elementary schools with no clue as to the type of education they’ll receive. It’s best to do your homework before you begin your search for the right school!
No matter what program or curriculum is available at any given educational institution, every school has one goal: To ensure that each student receives an excellent education on par with state guidelines established by legislators. The whole point? To give kids a strong foundation so they’re ready when it comes time for middle school and beyond, where they can continue developing into competent members of society.
Students will learn about a multitude of subjects like science, social studies, art and music. They’ll also spend time on more advanced topics such as biology and algebra.
What You Can Expect in Elementary School Grades
Most people think of kindergarten as the first grade, but it’s actually the first year a student attends school. The second grade is when students are officially placed into their proper grades/classes; in other words, they’re off and running!
For most elementary school kids, there are two main activities to look forward to every day: homework and recess. On some occasions, teachers will have extra assignments that must be completed (i.e., field trips), but for the most part the days will consist of taking turns reading aloud from textbooks during literacy periods, working on math problems during Math Centers time (this consists of several stations where children can review various arithmetic concepts with each other and their teacher) or writing stories for Language Arts lessons.
What to Expect in 1st Grade
Social Skills: During their first year of school, students are still learning the basic social skills that will help them make and maintain friendships throughout adulthood. If your child is having trouble making friends, it might be due to shyness or a lack of self-confidence; however, with practice, they’ll get better at it! Just remember not to force them too much in this area; gentle guidance is usually all they need.
Reading and Writing: 1st graders learn how to read and write alphabetical letters, their names, the days of the week and numbers up to 20. They also begin to recognize upper-case and lower-case letters, sight words (i.e., “the,” “of” etc.) and phonetic sounds (music notes).
Math: First grade math centers around understanding basic addition/subtraction using number lines; memorizing counting skills for ½, ¼, ⅛ and small fractions such as ⅙; learning basic estimation techniques; developing an understanding of groups of 10; learning time clock reading concepts; practicing spatial reasoning problems on coordinate grids; beginning algebraic strategies such as “find the addend”; and understanding metric systems for length, capacity and mass.
Science, Social Studies, and Technology: Students learn about how our planet’s solar system works and the laws that govern space; how weather forms, travels and affects different places on Earth; what a habitat is; what conservation means; how to read maps and use them efficiently; the definition of money, consumerism and black markets (and why they’re bad); and how to think critically.
What to Expect in 2nd Grade
Social Skills: At this age, children start getting more involved in group activities (i.e., playing softball on a P.E. team) and interacting with their peers outside of school as well (i.e., attending birthday parties or hanging out after school).
Reading and Writing: 2nd grade students learn how to write in cursive and master the basic rules of spelling. They also learn to identify various shapes (i.e., rectangle, square) as well as recognize various prefixes/suffixes.
Math: 2nd graders learn how to graph points on coordinate grids; use fractions such as ⅓, ¼, ½ and decimals like .33 or 5.78; add/subtract multiples of 10; multiply by multipliers such as 3×10=30; count 50 objects without using their fingers; use mental math strategies; estimate if measurements are too long/short for our “house”; find volume of cubes and other geometric solids; and solve word problems that involve distance, speed, time, volume and mass.
Science, Social Studies, and Technology: 2nd graders continue studying the countries around the world; learn about pollution in our lakes/rivers/oceans; how to tell if water is clean or unclean (i.e., use litmus paper); how to sort things into categories depending on their attributes; study dinosaurs; learn what a fossil is and why it’s important to keep them from being destroyed. Kids also discover how various parts of our body work individually as well as together (i.e., muscles help us move).
What to Expect in 3rd Grade
Social Skills: Third grade represents the end of elementary school’s social development phase; kids will be more comfortable interacting with their peers and figuring out how best to maintain friendships throughout their teenage years. This is also often a time when children will start working on leadership roles by becoming team captains for field trips or other activities, taking part in class discussions that may involve leading, taking responsibility for younger students (i.e., helping them assemble their backpacks after lunch) and overall acting as positive role models within the classroom community.
Reading and Writing: Students in 3rd grade learn strategies for understanding figurative language, critical reading and essay writing. They also progress beyond the basic sentence structure from elementary school by learning how to punctuate dialogue, write effective paragraphs that incorporate transition words (i.e., “in addition,” “on the other hand,” “however”) and analyzing text-to-self connections/text-to-world connections .
Math: 3rd graders study multiplication patterns such as x2 (x3, x4 etc.), fraction values including ⅓, ¼ and ½; decimal values like ½ or 1/8; fractions such as ⅙ or 1/32; metric conversions of length and weight (i.e., 356.5 cm = 3 m or 893 g); writing conversions from feet/inches to centimeters; perimeter and area of composite figures (i.e., rectangles, squares) as well as triangles, trapezoids, circles and cylinders; ratios within everyday life (i.e., comparing 1 hour to 6 hours); finding volume of pyramids/prisms etc.; adding decimals, fractions, percentages; graphing points on coordinate axes; measuring time (i.e., time it takes to cross the finish line in a race).
Science, Social Studies and Technology: In addition to continuing their study of the countries of the world, third graders are introduced to maps created using different map projections (i.e., polar, equirectangular or azimuthal), as well as the concept of longitude and latitude lines. They also continue learning about dinosaurs as well as what a fossil is and why it’s important to keep them from being destroyed; discover how earthworms are able to enrich our soil by breaking down organic wastes; and learn how animals use their body parts for survival (i.e., nest building, hunting strategies etc.).
What to Expect in 4th Grade
Social Skills: As fourth graders become more confident with their social skills, they’ll want to spend even more time with their friends; this is often a time when children start joining clubs (i.e., soccer, video game design) at school or forming long-lasting bonds with other students they’ve known since kindergarten.
Reading and Writing: Students in 4th grade learn the strategies for analyzing figurative language as well as how to connect literary texts to literacy across genres and time periods.
They also continue learning how to write effective paragraphs; understand the concept of theme and identify various aspects of text that contribute to its development including: character, setting, plot etc.; use original examples when writing persuasive essays; compare/contrast objects based on their attributes (i.e., shape, color, texture); discover how authors craft stories with a narrative point of view (i.e., 1st person) ; read more advanced texts including longer chapter books and informational books with complex sentences .
Math: 4th graders continue studying multiplication patterns such as x4 (x5, x6 etc.), fraction values including ⅓, ¼ and ½; decimal values like ½ or 1/8; fractions such as ⅙ or 1/32; metric conversions of length and weight (i.e., 356.5 cm = 3 m or 893 g); writing conversions from feet/inches to centimeters; perimeter and area of composite figures (i.e., rectangles, squares) as well as triangles, trapezoids, circles and cylinders ; ratios within everyday life (i.e., comparing 1 hour to 6 hours); finding volume of pyramids/prisms etc.; adding decimals , fractions , percents; graphing points on coordinate axes; measuring time using a variety of time pieces (i.e., analog watch, digital watch, calendar); counting money in euros/dollars; adding money using quarters and dimes ; understanding the logic behind the order of operations .
Science, Social Studies and Technology: In addition to continuing their study of the countries of the world, fourth graders are introduced to maps created using different map projections (i.e., polar, equirectangular or azimuthal), as well as the concept of longitude and latitude lines. They also continue learning about dinosaurs as well as what a fossil is and why it’s important to keep them from being destroyed; discover how earthworms are able to enrich our soil by breaking down organic wastes; learn how the human body parts are structured and how they work together for survival; discover the complexity of ecosystems (i.e., predator/prey, food chain relationships) within their local environments; discover how to create a liquid dye using different colored re-usable ink pens as well as vinegar, salt, soap and water; learn about static electricity including friction between objects; as well as what a circuit is and why it’s important to avoid short circuiting devices).
What to Expect in 5th Grade
Social Skills: The fifth grade represents the end of elementary school and all of the social development/friendship learning that comes along with it! During this final year in elementary school, kids will work on maintaining good relationships with their peers and continue building on leadership skills for the future (i.e., becoming student council officers, cheerleaders, class presidents). This is also typically an age where students become interested in things such as dating and parties; therefore, parents must make sure they have proper guidance in place to avoid putting them into compromising positions.
Reading and Writing: Students will continue working on the four comprehension strategies for analyzing literature, including prediction, questioning, and inference making and connecting. They also increase their knowledge of poetry as a genre by learning how to analyze more complex poets (i.e., Robert Frost), as well as reading modern texts that are representative of today’s society (i.e., Cereal Box book reports). They must also be able to apply what they learn in literary terms across time periods (i.e., methods of characterization, plot development etc.).
Math: 5th grade students take geometry; which includes basic shapes such as squares, rectangles and triangles, plane figures like hexagons and octagons; coordinate points based on their x-axis/y axis location; and relative sizes of those coordinate points (i.e., comparing the length of two hexagon sides). They also learn about, as well as differentiate between fractions as numbers (#5/8) or quantities (#⅕); ratios including a comparison of the unknown with another quantity /a ratio; decimal values such as .35, .3 or 0.05; estimating possible answers based on previous problems they’ve encountered in math using number sense; distance conversions from miles to kilometers ; time conversions from minutes past the hour to hours past the hour etc.; multiplying decimals and percents , dividing fractions , adding decimals , fractions, percents and integers etc.; solving multi-step equations with up to 3 variables; solve and graph all sorts of inequalities ; and solve problems with complex number notations (i.e., a + bi, a – bi).
Science, Social Studies and Technology: Fifth graders continue their studies of how life in the ocean has changed relative to time periods such as before and after the dinosaurs; discover what fossils are made of including plants, bones and shells from prehistoric times; study ecosystems within rivers as well as wetlands that include specific examples related to creatures found there (i.e., isopods); examine how microorganisms are important for life on earth including bacteria that can’t be seen by the human eye; learn about how animals travel in groups called herds or flocks etc.; as well as how shelter helps them survive; and examine how soil travels through water, air and wind into other ecosystems such as oceans.
When Is The Best Time To Apply For Elementary School?
The general rule of thumb when it comes to enrolling your child in a local elementary school is that you should start applying in October or November—some schools even begin taking applications at this time! If you’re still unsure about applying so early, don’t worry! You can always refer back to the calendar we mentioned earlier for an estimate based on your specific area.
How Much Does Elementary School Cost?
Of course, cost may play an important role when deciding which school is best for your child. The average annual cost of elementary education in the U.S. ranges from $3,900 to $6,505 per year, depending on where you live and which school district you go with.
There are many variables that can affect the price tag when enrolling your child in a local elementary school, including:
Local tax rates
School district budgets allocated toward improving facilities and technology
The number of students enrolled at any given time (more students mean more teachers will be required)
Keep in mind: Sometimes it’s not so much about the price as it is about what an institution has to offer. For instance, some schools may charge less than others but give an excellent education! Be sure to read “The Most Affordable Places to Live” and other related articles for more information on this topic.
What If I Can’t Afford School?
Affording elementary education isn’t an issue only parents face—it’s also a concern of K-12 educators who are in charge of making sure the education is available to all students, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why each state has its own guidelines when it comes to giving out scholarship money or vouchers. In addition, some local schools offer scholarships to help families with lower incomes pay for tuition costs. Your best bet is to call your local school district office and find out what type of assistance they have on hand!
How Do I Get Child Care For My Child?
About 40% percent of 3-year old U.S. children attend preschool. It’s a good idea to find out if your local elementary school offers part-time child care services so you can help ease the transition into school life!
How Many Students Are In An Average Elementary Class?
The student/teacher ratio in this grade is 18:1. This means that teachers should have little difficulty managing their classrooms and helping kids reach maximum potential despite the number of students enrolled (as long as there aren’t any major behavioral issues or learning disabilities). As we’ve mentioned throughout this guide, each state has its own set of guidelines when it comes to class sizes. You’ll want to find out what your state’s average class size is before signing on the dotted line.
Are There Programs For Students With Special Needs?
Special education schools, also known as separate schools, exist throughout the United States and are geared toward kids aged 3-21 who have physical, mental or emotional disabilities that interfere with their ability to learn.
In some cases, students will be assigned a team of teachers and specialists who work together to give them a quality education despite their limitations. An individualized program (IEP) must be used for each student enrolled in a separate school; it outlines all the extra support he or she requires from faculty members and outlines the goals they want to accomplish during any given school year.
What Is The School District Like?
School districts each have their own set of policies and procedures that govern all schools within their jurisdiction. These rules help them to decide which students should be accepted into a particular elementary school, whether or not certain teachers can be fired (and why) and what disciplinary measures are best for dealing with behavioral issues such as disruptive behavior.
In addition, they outline how money will be allocated toward improving facilities, buying textbooks, hiring new personnel (i.e., teachers), etc. You’ll want to look into the reputation of your local school district before signing on the dotted line just in case there’s anything you might find objectionable!
Schools that are governed by a committee usually have more room for manipulation than those that are governed by a single authoritative figure; you’ll want to do some research into how your local school district is run before sending your child off every day.
How Strict Are The Teachers?
While classroom rules and procedures will vary from one elementary school to another, there are certain aspects about them that remain relatively universal. For instance, most schools have policies about student behavior (including use of cell phones, bathroom breaks, lunchtime and other non-classroom activities), attendance and dress code. Elementary schools with great reputations usually enforce these standards among their students in order to help students focus on learning and give teachers less to worry about when it comes time for report cards!
Are The Classrooms Nice?
You won’t have to be too picky when it comes to elementary school classrooms. Most students will learn in a fairly standard classroom setting, which consists of individual desks placed on two sides of the room (one side for boys and one side for girls), a teacher’s desk smack dab in the middle and an overhead projector or whiteboard at the front of the room.
However, there are some schools that take individualism to extremes and use different furniture sets, wall colors, decorations or learning tools around their campuses! If you’re looking for something more unique than what you’d find at your local public/elementary school (and if they aren’t already filled up by other families), you might consider homeschooling or shopping around until you find a program that fits the needs of you and your child.
What are some of the best extracurricular for students?
As far as extracurricular activities go, most elementary students enjoy academic clubs and athletic teams. The following are some other things they might enjoy doing outside of school:
- Arts and crafts programs/classes
- Field trips to museums, aquariums or amusement parks
- Family outings to concerts, restaurants or the movies
- Attending local sporting events such as high school football games
- Taking music lessons at home (beginning around fourth grade, many students are interested in learning instruments and joining a band or chorus)
- Joining the local YMCA after school
- Becoming a Boy Scout/Girl Scout (many kids are eligible for junior membership when they enter first or second grade, but older children and adults might also be able to join depending on age requirements)
Does the school offer an online presence?
Many of today’s elementary schools have created their own websites that parents can visit at any time! This is particularly advantageous because it gives you the opportunity to find out about your child’s teachers ahead of time, review classroom syllabi, read student handbooks, learn more about upcoming projects/activities and even see what your child has been up to during the day! It’s a wonderful tool that you should definitely take advantage of, especially if your child is in a new school or one you’re unfamiliar with.
As you can see from the list above, elementary schools offer students and their families an ideal environment to learn and grow! Of course, there may be certain things parents wish were different about their children’s schools (i.e., no homework on weekends!), but they’re usually minor issues that won’t make or break anyone’s lives! If you have any questions about how elementary education works in general or specific questions regarding your child’s school, feel free to speak with teachers/administrators at open house nights or send them e-mails; they’ll be more than happy to fill you in on the details.
How Does One Prepare for Elementary School?
In terms of getting ready to send your child off to elementary school, there are a few things you can do that might help when the first day of class rolls around. Not only will these tips be great for helping to create a positive learning experience; but they will also help eliminate any anxiety associated with going into a new environment where children and teachers alike are strangers!
5th Grade Reading Skills
Read Aloud: It’s been said many times before (and it will be said again); but this is perhaps one of the most important tips I could offer if you want your child succeed in reading at grade level or above! This is simply because reading aloud while having someone listen has innumerable benefits including decreased frustration; increased language development; comprehension skills that are crucial to reading success and so much more (for a whole list of benefits, click here ).
Book Recommendations: Although there is no limit as to how much reading your child can do on their own , I recommend the following book series since they can be read aloud – which is always fun – and because they cover various genres including realistic fiction, historical fiction, adventure etc. For younger readers check out the Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne while for older ones try the Boxcar Children Mysteries written by Gertrude Chandler Warner.
5th Grade Math Skills
As math students continue with an understanding of basic shapes such as rect, squares, triangles, circles and polygons as well as basic number relationships (i.e., adding one number to another); they will also learn about fractions such as halves, thirds, fourths and eighths; decimals 0.5 or 0.05; “place value” numbers up to 1 million ; vertical and horizontal measurement conversions from inches to centimeters , feet to meters etc.; order of operations (PEMDAS) including exponents such as 2x3y4z; coordinate points based on their x-axis/y axis location; different geometric shapes like rhombus and trapezoid ; plotting points in a coordinate plane or graph , solving multi step equations using number sense strategies which includes guessing possible answers etc.; and equations such as 2x = 8 –> x = 4.
5th Grade Science Skills
Life Science: Students continue their study of the human body including a review of how cells work to support life (e.g., water, food, etc.) while also reviewing what types of foods are good for your health; taking measurements of specific organs starting with the brain as well as examining how humans balance on two feet in relation to other animal forms (i.e., can they walk on all fours?) and comparing them to various characteristics found in marine life like fish twins or even sharks that have layers of cartilage; studying and learning about different vertebrates like reptiles, amphibians etc.; the role birds play ecosystems like the roles of pollinators or scavengers; how mammals are warm blooded and give birth to live young while many cold-blooded animals lay eggs (e.g., fish, turtles, snakes etc); observing how plants get the water that they need for survival; learning about photosynthesis ; examining where oxygen comes from etc.;
Physical Science: Doing more with an understanding of electricity including why it travels in a specific direction and its relationship with circuits , students will also learn about magnetism which explains where magnets come from as well as their various uses for things like kitchen utensils and electronics ; light waves including what makes them work in different ways like color televisions and computer monitors; devices such as pulley s and levers as well as their different uses such as in playgrounds or mechanical advantage; how air pressure causes objects like a parachute to float , and how space can become invisible through what is called black holes ; the differences between matter, energy (i.e., heat) and motion;
5th Grade Social Studies Skills
Geography: With an understanding of our world’s continents like North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa etc.; locating countries from around the globe using thematic maps or globes; learning about various world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism , Judaism etc.; discussing where the four seasons occur (i.e., north pole during winter and south pole during summer); studying issues related to global warming ; understanding the term “retail” with an example being a store inside an enclosed mall ; and studying our own community or town such as identifying important buildings, parks etc.
The Importance of Reading to Your Child
Reading on a daily basis cannot be overstated. It also can’t be taken lightly if the parent does not value reading or is illiterate.
Reading should include more than simply learning your child’s name and some simple words (e.g., ball, dog, mommy, etc). It should also include telling stories about things that have happened during that day or week (i.e., doing errands at the store or picking up someone from school).
When you tell stories to your children you are effectively teaching them another language in which they must constantly learn how to anticipate what comes next by listening carefully to what you’re saying while inferring new information based on previous statements. This becomes more important we move on to more complicated concepts such as letters, numbers and words.
When you tell stories about your day or work, they inevitably become interested in knowing about other people that are important in your life (e.g., mommy’s friend Deidra, daddy’s co-worker etc.). Many times they will then want to draw pictures of these people based upon the descriptions that have been given to them.
This teaches them something new every time no matter how well you think you might have described someone else a child is much better at inferring the finer details of what someone looks like based upon things that may seem insignificant or even abstract (e.g., color of their hair; eye color). This can also include people in their lives that are not a part of your day-to-day activities (e.g., a relative, favorite teacher etc.). This includes telling stories of historical people and events too like the first Thanksgiving or how Christmas should be celebrated during the holiday season.
The more you make an effort to tell stories about what has happened recently; the better potential they have for understanding that being associated with another person can have a profound effect on our lives including relationships at work, friendships and even terms such as ethics where we learn to do our very best no matter what task has been assigned to us – oral storytelling is the beginning of teaching ethical behavior!
These types of stories are also important because it helps them understand how life works beyond just their immediate world. The more they understand that the more it leads to a deeper sense of comfort in knowing that despite things not always being fair or easy, people can still do their very best and ultimately become happy if they’re able to effectively make good choices; which also includes being brave because bravery requires taking risks.
When you share stories with your child, you’re teaching them about everything there is to care for including other family members (e.g., grandma; grandpa etc), neighbors, pets (i.e., the dog next door) as well as strangers too who may sometimes need help from one another like those in high school helping out the local community by collecting food for holidays and sharing it with those less fortunate.
Teaching about strangers begins by teaching them who is kind and who isn’t. You can do this by telling them that if someone on the street asks for money, to just say no because they’re not your mother or father. It’s also important to help them understand how holding out their hand to show a closed fist means “stop” too!
This helps develop a sense of confidence in understanding that despite being nervous when encountering strangers they are much less likely to be harmed if they know how to appropriately express themselves and what actions should cause concern in others (e.g., inappropriate touching).
More importantly, it teaches children not only how to resolve these types of situations but effective ways of dealing with conflict which at times, requires others to step up and confront difficulties head-on which is not easy. Nonetheless, it’s very important to teach young children that they should never feel ashamed of doing the right thing because when they do, the good feeling from being brave can help them face any number of challenges as they get older knowing that even if things aren’t going their way sometimes, there is still immense satisfaction in knowing you did everything within your power to make the best choices possible for yourself.
This ability to distinguish between those who are kind versus those who are mean begins when we begin teaching our children about specific people including fictional characters (e.g., shows on TV like Sesame Street and Mr Rogers Neighborhood) as well as real life individuals (e.g., astronauts and professional coaches). It also builds self-esteem when we promote the idea that people who do good things (e.g., the ones who help others) are recognized as special and as a result, they get to enjoy doing things like visiting Disney World or helping out their neighbors too. Conversely, kids begin being more aware of those who aren’t kind because it’s easier for them to identify with these individuals by explaining how mean people normally feel bad about themselves for what they did in the past which is why you need to treat everyone nicely even if you may not know them well.
Starting at around 8 years old, children can start learning about individual rights and responsibilities in which you’re able to explain that all people have a right to be treated fairly whether they’re in their home, another person’s home or even outside since it’s important for them to know that no matter where they are, people need to learn how to respect others. It also helps them identify with children who may not necessarily have the same advantages as them (i.e., not being able to afford something nice because their family is very poor) and therefore, there should never be any shame in asking for help from someone else if you’re genuinely unable to meet your own needs; but only ask from those who you know will share what they can without causing any harm.
This idea of helping anyone you can so long as there is no harm caused is an important concept which is why it’s very important to show the importance of lending a hand when you can by helping your local police department or being a good neighbor and not just for those closest to you because it’s in your best interest.
If we expect others to help us out, especially during difficult times (e.g., our house is on fire), then we should be willing to do the same even if that means helping people who aren’t necessarily as close to us as our family members or neighbors because all people matter equally regardless of their social standing within society. If we want anyone from the mailman, to a random person on the street like an entrepreneur asking for money for his community project, what they’re doing for themselves and others is up to them to decide but if we can give back in some way without necessarily losing anything of value, then it’s always worth the time and effort.
As kids get older (e.g., 10+), they begin learning about life skills such as how to wash their hands properly or getting a haircut from the barber so you don’t have to worry about little cuts all over your head anymore. They also start understanding how difficult life can be when you have special needs which is why it’s important for people with special needs to receive extra help whenever possible because there are people who care whether they’re friends or family members. It doesn’t mean that someone will love them more just because they may talk differently, walk funny or have a hard time seeing/hearing, but it means that you will show others how to be supportive by being kind and respectful in their presence.
As for bullying, once kids start learning about the basic tenants of how to live a life of kindness and respect, they begin understanding the importance of accepting people regardless of what they look like or even if they have special needs. Kids see everyone as equals because no one is perfect nor do we expect them to be so long as there are things that make each individual unique which isn’t necessarily a bad thing; so long as these individuals aren’t hurting anyone else intentionally then it’s okay for them to express themselves through art or writing just like how authors write stories from their imagination.
What Should You Look Out For In An Elementary School?
Elementary school is the first stepping stone on your child’s journey towards a brighter future. If you are thinking about which elementary schools in Louisville to look into, there are some factors that you should consider: classroom environment (size of classes, amount of aid teachers); availability and accessibility to resources (library, supplies); quality of education (from curriculum to overall teacher effectiveness); and last but not least – safety and discipline guidelines.
- What types of programs does this school have?
- Does it have a gifted program?
- Does your child need special needs assistance?
- Is there a school psychologist or counselor on staff?
Are the classrooms in this school conducive for learning? If you are looking into private schools, this is an important factor to consider as they tend to have smaller class sizes and more one on one attention than larger public schools. This can be both a positive and negative in that smaller classes mean more opportunities for individuals to get the help they need, yet at the same time, younger children may be overwhelmed with too much individual attention.
What academic standards does this school meet? Most states have adopted Common Core Standards which outlines “what” students should know by each grade level. Due to this, in recent times, states have been revamping their education systems to attend to Common Core Standards. Although the standards are there for a reason, it doesn’t mean every school is teaching what they should be taught at each grade level; it’s your job as a parent to ask questions and do research into what teachers are supposed to teach at each grade level.
How much discipline does this school enforce? Every school enforces disciplinary policies on students for various reasons whether it be keeping order or safety of the students themselves. Discipline can include suspension from extracurricular activities such as field trips or even being suspended long term from class if need be, but in some schools, children who receive extreme amounts of discipline will get kicked out of the school system and will have to find another school to attend.
How to Find the Right Fit for Your Child’s Personality and Learning Style
A lot of children are struggling in school due to the fact that the classroom environment isn’t conducive for their learning style. If your child is an introvert or an extrovert, this may be perfectly normal behavior but you should still pay attention to how they react to certain situations and try to figure out why they behave how they do. What makes them tick?
Are they easily distracted? Are they a daydreamer or even work too hard at times? Do they get frustrated when things don’t go as planned? It’s not necessarily bad critiquing yourself on these questions; it shows that you care about your child’s growth – mentally, physically and emotionally. If you know what makes your child tick and how they react to certain situations, you can help them plan for the future and teach them how to be a productive member of society.
If you notice something off about your child’s behavior in school then seek out advice from your child’s teacher or even the school principle; some kids just need that little nudge in the right direction. If possible, engage their class schedule and find out what times they have lunch and recess so you can try going to those spots during those times.
You may not be able to talk to all of your kid’s teachers but picking two – three who are especially understanding towards your child is important. You want someone on board with you when it comes time for conferences with your child’s progress. If your child is struggling with a learning disability and you know it, then make it known to the special education adviser at the school or counselor.
If some of your kids are having difficulties in school, you can contact their teachers for more information about what’s going on. Kindergarten teachers will often have questionnaire forms sent home with students asking basic questions about how well they feel the student did in class.
Join 5th Grade School Online
High School of America offers you to join and learn in a virtual classroom, but everything is real and actual. We offer the exact same classes as traditional schools do, with one major difference: you can study at home or anywhere else that you prefer. You need not be limited by time-zones, geographic areas or physical location. Study where and when it suits your needs best!
At Home Education For 5th Grade
Our interactive lessons are designed to make the process of learning easy and interesting. You will never feel overwhelmed with too much material since we have broken it down into simple steps based on real world experience rather than theory. With us, you can receive relevant information related to your goals within just a few days! Even if you are completely new to this subject.
If you are ready to unlock the door to your success, take the first step towards making your dreams come true today!
Try our latest courses: Mathematics, English literature, Grammar & spelling and more. It works beautifully for homeschooling or anyone interested in enhancing their skills in modern education.
Taking 5th Grade Online School? Read This Guide to 5th Grade Curriculum
