Engaging in a well-functioning set of routines and best practices enhances your student’s learning experience. Take time to plan ahead with your student, and discuss expectations to establish your roles as an Observer and student.
Student tasks
Your student will complete these tasks. Take notes to add other, more personalized tasks.
- Assist with completing the weekly schedule.
- Help organize the learning space and supplies.
- Complete lessons and assessments with the highest level of effort.
- Ask questions of the Observer or teacher if confused.
- Prepare for tests and quizzes.
- Review assessment results alongside the Learning Coach.
- Attend LiveLesson sessions and other scheduled activities.
- Communicate with teachers and other school staff (by phone and WebMail).
Agreed upon rules
Work with your student to discuss your expectations and rules. Providing opportunities for your student to have a say will give them more buy-in. Here is a list to get you started. You can add or remove expectations as agreed upon by you and your child.
- Follow the Honor Code.
- Work using best effort during lesson times.
- Reserve play for break times.
- Cell phones (or other distracting devices) are put away during lesson time.
- Any overdue lessons at the end of the week are completed on the weekend.
Encouragement
People respond positively to encouragement that speaks to them. Some people respond to encouraging words, while others prefer a pat on the back or special time together. Think about ways your student receives encouragement and discuss them together. Get creative and write out your ideas here, and refer to the list often. A little encouragement at the right time goes a long way towards making the school day enjoyable and effective!
Celebrations
There are circumstances that call for a celebration! Earning a good grade on an assessment or completing a challenging set of lessons are good examples. Discuss ways to celebrate with your student and list the possibilities here. Let your student choose an activity when it’s time and celebrate together.
Rewards
Sometimes special privileges can be earned based on a personal academic goal. For example, your student may struggle with specific subjects or completing certain tasks. In those cases, consider a plan that includes goals and rewards to encourage them to complete assignments. Remember to break the task down into manageable parts, and be sure that your student believes they can accomplish the task. Then, write out the goal and reward to avoid any misunderstanding.
Example:
- Goal: I will write one paragraph daily for three days to complete my portfolio.
- Reward: Extra time to participate in a favorite activity.
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If-then plan
Prepare for rough times by creating an if-then plan. If your student gets easily distracted or avoids challenging subjects or tasks, decide ahead of time what your student should do instead of getting off-track.
For example, your student and you can create a plan like this one: “If I can’t concentrate, then I will stand up to do my work.” Identify behaviors that prevent academic success and decide what to do to overcome challenges.
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