How to Use Your Child's Class Newsletter

Now that we have been in school for a few weeks, most of you have probably already gotten a newsletter from your child's teacher.  I LOVE getting my child's newsletter.  I think it's probably the teacher in me, however, I really enjoy seeing what they will be learning for the month.  It helps me to prepare extension activities for them on an individual level.  It also provides a baseline assessment for me as a parent.  If my child is supposed to learn the letters A and B by the end of the month and they haven't, then I know they need more one on one time at home and school.

So, here's what to look for in your child's classroom newsletter.

1.  Month {You may think I'm crazy, however, around January you will be wondering what month this newsletter is for, that is if they all look the same.}

2.  Class {If you have more than one child going to school, you will be receiving more than one class newsletter.  It's important to know which child the newsletter belongs to.}

3.  Important News {Many teachers use the newsletter to communicate with parents as a collective group about upcoming events and happenings in the classroom.}

4.  Birthdays {Are you wondering when your child's friends birthday is?  Well, okay, maybe we don't have time to worry about that.  However, when it's your child's birthday month, they will be searching for their name on the newsletter.}

5.  What We're Learning {So this is by far the most important part of the newsletter for me as a parent.  I use the information from this section to help my child with enriching activities and to see if they are on schedule for learning those things listed.}

6.  Calendar {I look at my child's newsletter calendar and make sure to transfer important dates and information into our family calendar.  Then you can use the calendar to tape up to your child's wall.  They can use it to count down the month, see when assignments will be due, when pictures will be taken, and when they have P.E. for the month.}

 Here is another example of a newsletter.  Most teachers will have one, but rarely do you get two teachers who do their newsletter in the exact same way.  If you ever have a question about the newsletter, calendar, or anything else, make sure you email or call your child's teacher to get clarification.

You notice in this newsletter that the teacher is providing parents with the same usage of words for teaching writing that they will be using in class.  This way, when the kids are at school and home they are being taught with the same words 'up and around, and stop'.  This limits confusion in a child's learning.

So, don't just throw out the newsletter without using it first.  You'll see that your child's homework will coincide right along with the What We're Learning section of the newsletter.  Then if you search online for activities pertaining to those things, you will be able to enrich and extend your child's learning at home.

When the month is over, recycle that newsletter and everyone wins!  Some teachers even email the newsletter or post it on their website.  If so, make sure you visit the site monthly to get all the information you need.

Valerie