81 Questions for Parents: Helping Your Kids Succeed in School

by Kristen J. Amundson

Overview

As a former teacher, school board chair, and state legislator, Kristen J. Amundson has spent decades answering parents’ questions about school. 81 Questions for Parents: Helping Your Kids Succeed in School highlights the most important of these questions, covering a child’s school journey from preschool to postsecondary education. It includes some of the school secrets parents need to know—the often unwritten rules that can make a child’s K-12 experience the best it can be. Should you “redshirt” your kindergartener (and hold them out for a year)? How much parent help on homework is too much? And why could playing in the band be a secret to getting your child into a good college? And for parents who are struggling to teach their child at home, there are tips on how to do that while still keeping your sanity (and your own job). 81 Questions for Parents combines common sense, research, and a little humor to help parents support their child to get the best possible education.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781475859355
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	05/17/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	218
File size:	584 KB

About the Author

Kristen J. Amundson is a former teacher, school board chair, state legislator, and CEO of a national education organization. She has spent decades answering parents’ questions about school. She’s a nationally recognized expert on parenting, education, and how parents can become advocates for their own child and for every child in the school system. Amundson is the author of Unfinished Learning: Parents, Schools, and the COVID School Closures.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction xv

1 Six Big Questions All Parents Should Ask 1

1 How can I raise a kid who loves learning? 1

2 How can I help my child learn from failure? 4

3 How much TV and screen time is too much? 8

4 What's the best way to develop a strong partnership with the school? 10

5 How much parent involvement is too much? 13

6 Does attendance really matter? 16

2 When the Kitchen Table Becomes Your School Desk 19

7 So much of online learning seems to rely on parents. How can I get myself in the home-learning mindset? 21

8 How do I set up a schedule for at-home learning? 23

9 What other logistics are involved in doing school at home? 25

10 How can parents help fill the time productively when students are not in formal, teacher-directed learning activities? 26

11 What if we don't have the technology to do online learning? 27

12 We have been schooling at home, and my child is clearly struggling. What do I do? 29

13 Now that I have taught my child at home, I'm wondering about continuing to homeschool. What should I think about before I make that decision? 30

14 Some parents are putting together a "learning pod." Are these a good idea? 32

15 My child attends school remotely. I don't want them to fall too far behind. How do parents know what skills are most important in each grade level? 32

3 Questions Parent Should Ask About Kindergarten 49

16 How do I know if my child is ready for kindergarten? 50

17 My child is off to kindergarten in the fall. How can I help my child learn to do things like tying their shoes before kindergarten? 52

18 Should I "redshirt" my child (keep them out of kindergarten for another year)? 54

19 How do I choose the right kindergarten for my child? 57

20 How can I encourage my child to love reading? 58

21 My child often has a hard time adjusting to new situations. What can I do to make the first few weeks of school easier? 62

4 Questions Parents Should Ask About Elementary School 65

22 What's the most important thing I can do to help my child be successful in elementary school? 66

23 How do I choose the right elementary school for my child? 67

24 My child is starting first grade and doesn't know how to read. Should I worry? 69

25 My third grader is not reading at a third-grade level. Should I worry? 70

26 My child never picks up a book. How can I help a reader who avoids reading at almost all costs? 71

27 What do I need to know about the math program at my child's elementary school? 74

28 It seems like my child is spending a lot of time memorizing things like math facts and sight words. Is memorization really necessary? 75

29 My child forgets the things they need to take to and from school. How do I help my child take responsibility for school assignments and materials? 76

30 My daughter's fifth-grade class has divided into cliques. It's painful for me to watch as her former friends now exclude her. What can I do? 79

31 Do I need to go to parent-teacher conferences? 80

32 My fourth grader is struggling in school. I think they may have a learning disability. Should I ask for a meeting with the teacher? 81

5 Questions Parents Should Ask About Middle School 85

33 My son has never had to do much for himself. I know that has to change in middle school. What should I do to get him to take on more responsibility? 86

34 My son was never Mr. Popularity, but he did have some good friends in elementary school. Now they're at other schools or hanging out with other kids. How can I help him make new friends? 88

35 My middle schooler never seems to get their homework done on time, so they don't get enough sleep and start the next day in a big rush. How can I help? 89

36 My middle schooler has the option of taking algebra in eighth grade or in ninth. Which is best? 91

37 My middle schooler struggles when reading textbooks in subjects like history or science. Why is it so hard for teens to read and remember? 93

38 My middle schooler went from having one teacher to having six. How do I stay on top of what's required for so many classes? 95

39 How can I help my middle schooler handle peer pressure? 97

40 My middle schooler wants a cell phone. What are some reasonable rules for cell phone use in middle school? 98

41 I'm pretty sure my daughter is being cyberbullied. She won't talk about it, but she's withdrawn and sad. What can parents do? 100

42 My middle schooler is having trouble in several classes. Should I talk to the counselor? 101

6 Questions Parents Should Ask About High School 105

43 Can playing in the band really get my kid into college? 106

44 My teen as about to enter high school, Is that too early to start thinking about what courses they will need to take to get into a good college? 109

45 Do Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes matter? 111

46 I've heard students can take actual college classes while they're in high school. How do they do that? 114

47 My teen is really struggling in classes. What's the best way to help? 116

48 Does my teen need a tutor? 117

49 How can a counselor help my high schooler apply to colleges? 118

50 My young athlete hopes to play NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division I athletics. What should we be doing to make sure they are eligible? 119

51 My daughter wants to go to a party where I am afraid there will be alcohol (and maybe drugs). She says that if she stays home, she'll lose all her friends. What do I do? 120

52 I've just discovered my teen is sending and receiving sexually explicit photos? What do I do? 121

53 My teen wants an after-school job. Should I say yes? 122

54 No one in our family has ever gone to college. But we think my teen could be the first. What are some things our family should know? 124

7 Questions Parents Should Ask About Next Steps After High School 129

55 Is it better for my teen to take the ACT or the SAT? 130

56 Are there colleges that do not require either the SAT or the ACT? 131

57 Is skipping the college admission test altogether a good idea for my teen? 133

58 My teen has very good grades and is a varsity athlete. Should they think about applying to the Ivy League? 135

59 What factors are most important when teens are deciding where to apply? 136

60 What's the best role for parents to play during the college application process? 142

61 I know the college essay is really important. And I know I could help my teen. What's the best way to do that? 143

62 Our high school senior didn't get accepted by any of the colleges they applied to. What do we do now? 144

8 Questions Parents Should Ask About Study Skills, Homework, and What We Know About Brain Science 147

63 Some people think homework is important; others hate it. What should parents know about the pros and cons of homework? 148

64 What does brain science say about homework? 150

65 How much homework should students expect in each grade? 151

66 What are general rules for helping children with homework? 152

67 Do other kids do their big projects at the last minute? And how can I get my child to plan ahead? 154

68 What if my child says they don't have any homework? 156

69 How does a parent's role in homework change during middle and high school? 157

70 My teen wants to listen to music and text with friends when they study. They say it's "multitasking" and that adults do it all the time. What does the research say? 158

71 My teen is struggling to complete a homework assignment. How can I help? 160

72 There was a time when every teacher talked about learning styles (auditory, visual, kinesthetic). But now teachers don't seem to talk about it as much. As a parent, what do I need to know about my child's learning style? 161

73 Can kids learn to be smart? 162

74 What's the best way to study for a test? 164

9 What Parents Should Ask About Becoming Advocates for Change 167

75 My child is having a problem with a teacher. What should I do? 168

76 I don't think the school has the same expectations for my Black son as they have for white students. What do I do? 171

77 I met with the teacher. Nothing has changed. What do I do next? 172

78 Can I ask for my child to be assigned to a specific teacher? 174

79 The principal says they can't change the policy. How can parents change district policies? 177

80 It's not the district-it's the state law. How can parents get a state law changed? 179

81 Should I sue the district? 181

Conclusion 185

Notes 187

About the Author 199

Editorial Reviews

Amundson taught in the classroom and spent nearly a decade on her local school board, but the time devoted to raising her daughter, Amundson writes, was “even more important than those professional qualifications.” This book shares Amundson's years of experience, as well as advice gathered from parents of children of all ages attending public, private, and charter schools. Amundson also draws from teachers, school administrators, and education research to get the answers parents need to know, but which schools don’t always disclose. She begins with the six “big questions all parents should ask,” and addresses the current pandemic, during which the kitchen table became the classroom for many. She moves on to the elementary years, when parents decide when and where to send their children to kindergarten; the tumultuous middle school years, when children navigate new schools, new friendships, and the influence of technology; and the high school years and beyond. Amundson's questions and valuable collection of “unwritten rules” will help parents make a child’s school experience as positive and successful as possible.

Booklist

For a parent looking for guidance this book is your assistant to helping your child succeed in school. [It's] loaded with important inquiries that were asked by other parents seeking advice. From elementary through high school, she writes about the pandemic and home schooling your children.

City Parent

Kris Amundson writes an enlightening and worthwhile guide for parents that aids them in navigating the educational questions we all face in making decisions for our children. She combines impressive research with her practical experience as a parent, lifelong educator, and policy maker.

Eleanor B. Saslaw

While we all recognize parents as a child’s first and best teacher, but they are also a child’s most important advocate. Kris Amundson’s new book arms parents all the right information to be an effective and powerful for their child’s education. A must-read book for parents of school-aged children of all ages – from preschool through high school! Powerful tools to help navigate the waters of public education.

Robert Hull

Kris Amundson has done—and seen— it all. From her time as a teacher, a Mom, a school volunteer, local school board member, legislator and a national education leader, Kris knows how schools work in ways that are a mystery to most of us. And now, in 81 Questions for Parents, she shares that knowledge, helping families understand school so they can make the best school decisions for their kids and family. And while the book is chock full of research and resources, it reads like you are having coffee with your very smart, knowledgeable and sassy friend; giving you all the wisdom you need to figure out if your kid is ready for Kindergarten, or how to help your 3rd grader with fractions during remote learning, and more. This is a must-have parent manual for navigating through the school years!

Sandy Boyd

Amundson taught in the classroom and spent nearly a decade on her local school board, but the time devoted to raising her daughter, Amundson writes, was "even more important than those professional qualifications." This book shares Amundson's years of experience, as well as advice gathered from parents of children of all ages attending public, private, and charter schools. Amundson also draws from teachers, school administrators, and education research to get the answers parents need to know, but which schools don't always disclose. She begins with the six "big questions all parents should ask," and addresses the current pandemic, during which the kitchen table became the classroom for many. She moves on to the elementary years, when parents decide when and where to send their children to kindergarten; the tumultuous middle school years, when children navigate new schools, new friendships, and the influence of technology; and the high school years and beyond. Amundson's questions and valuable collection of "unwritten rules" will help parents make a child's school experience as positive and successful as possible.

For a parent looking for guidance this book is your assistant to helping your child succeed in school. [It's] loaded with important inquiries that were asked by other parents seeking advice. From elementary through high school, she writes about the pandemic and home schooling your children.

Kris Amundson has done--and seen-- it all. From her time as a teacher, a Mom, a school volunteer, local school board member, legislator and a national education leader, Kris knows how schools work in ways that are a mystery to most of us. And now, in 81 Questions for Parents, she shares that knowledge, helping families understand school so they can make the best school decisions for their kids and family. And while the book is chock full of research and resources, it reads like you are having coffee with your very smart, knowledgeable and sassy friend; giving you all the wisdom you need to figure out if your kid is ready for Kindergarten, or how to help your 3^rd grader with fractions during remote learning, and more. This is a must-have parent manual for navigating through the school years!

Kris Amundson writes an enlightening and worthwhile guide for parents that aids them in navigating the educational questions we all face in making decisions for our children. She combines impressive research with her practical experience as a parent, lifelong educator, and policy maker.

While we all recognize parents as a child's first and best teacher, but they are also a child's most important advocate. Kris Amundson's new book arms parents all the right information to be an effective and powerful for their child's education. A must-read book for parents of school-aged children of all ages - from preschool through high school! Powerful tools to help navigate the waters of public education.

From the Publisher