DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR CHILD IS LEARNING? Are you in the know with what your child knows? You can’t help your child learn unless you’re familiar with her lesson plans. Take this quiz to see if you’re up to the challenge! 1. The Science Fair is coming up. How involved are you with your child’s project? a. We went to the library and pulled books about volcanoes, read them together before bed and we’re constructing a real working model this weekend. b. I proofread her report and helped her find the supplies she needed at the art store to make a great poster. c. Is that why she was asking for baking soda and vinegar last week? d. None of the above. 2. You don’t have time to attend your child’s parent-teacher open house, you: a. Schedule a phone conference with the teacher. b. E-mail the teacher saying you cannot attend, but are interested in learning more about your child’s progress. c. Make sure that the next conference is on your calendar. d. None of the above. 3. How frequently do you go to your child’s school? a. Once or twice per week. b. Once or twice per month. c. Once or twice per quarter. d. None of the above. 4. When was the last time you volunteered at your child’s school? a. I volunteer once per week. b. I chaperone occasional field trips. c. I rarely help out at school. d. None of the above. 5. How much time do you talk one-on-one with your child each day? a. At least an hour over dinner. b. Half an hour while I drive him to soccer practice or a friend’s house. c. He’s so busy with extra-curricular activities and homework that I’m lucky to get in 15 minutes per day. d. None of the above. 6. How often is the TV on in your home? a. We try to limit it to two hours per night. b. Most of the time, but it’s always turned off during dinnertime. c. Constantly. d. None of the above. 7. What activity do you and your child do regularly on the weekend? a. Go to the library or make arts and crafts. b. Go out to breakfast. c. Clean her room together. d. None of the above. 8. How do you stay informed about what’s going on at your child’s school? a. By talking to teachers and other parents at parent’s nights, football games and other school events. b. By reading the monthly bulletin sent home by the school. c. What he tells me. d. None of the above. 9. What was the last thing your child brought home from school that you hung on your refrigerator? a. The Language Arts paper she wrote last week. b. Her report card. c. Her school photo. d. None of the above. 10. What’s your opinion about parental participation at school? a. Parental involvement benefits children, teachers, schools and communities. I try to volunteer regularly. b. Even though I’m very busy, I try to stay up to date with what my child is learning and keep open lines of communication with her teacher. c. I’m there to help whenever my child’s teacher asks. d. None of the above. Results Mostly As Congratulations! You’re active, you’re aware and you’re a great asset to your child’s educational experience. A study by the Los Angeles Annenberg Metropolitan Project found that when parents are involved at school and at home, children do better in school. It also found that when a critical mass of parents is involved at school, the school improves as a whole. So next time you volunteer at your child’s school, take a friend with you. Mostly Bs Even though you’re sometimes busy with work or other obligations, you are attentive and dedicated to seeing your child succeed in school. You regularly take time to talk with your child and her teacher and you always have time to help with homework and regularly attend school functions and activities. Try taking a day off to chaperone a field trip or pitch in by making costumes for the school play. By regularly making your presence felt and your interest known, your child will continue to benefit from your support and enthusiasm. Mostly Cs Though you care about your child’s education, you sometimes fall out of touch with what’s happening on a daily basis. Even if you’re strapped for time or your child tells you it’s un-cool for parents to volunteer at school, there are still simple ways that you can stay in contact with your child’s teacher. Add her teacher’s e-mail address to your address book at the beginning of the year and drop him or her a note each quarter. Take a few minutes each morning to say hello to the teacher and walk through the halls looking at the projects hanging on the walls. Ask about school whenever you’re in the car together. Being involved doesn’t take much time, and it can build your child’s self esteem and greatly contribute to your child’s education! Mostly Ds You may be strapped for time between work and home, finding it even more difficult to engage in your child’s education. Consult your child’s teacher for a few simple ways you can pick up on what’s happening in the classroom. Just opening a line of communication—even if it’s virtual—with your child’s teacher can make a big difference.