Help!!! Trouble in School

I do not have any personal experience in this area but if I were in your shoes I may talk to the other parents and see if there is a way to set up a study group. Also, by talking to the other parents you may find some parents whose schedules allow them more time to help out, not only your little girl, but other kids as well. Maybe this will help her make friends at the same time?

All in all, I want to wish all of you the best of luck. I can't imagine how difficult this is on your daughter. Not only does she have to get used to a new school but I am sure, no matter her age, that she feels different.

Please let me know how things work out, even if you don't do the study group idea.

M.

Peace

Hi, There are a lot of retired teachers who will tutor your daughter for a reasonable price. The school she attends may know someone. Please ask. It is very difficult to work full time and try to teach your child at the same time. I am not talking about homework exercises here. If you think your child is lagging behind enough to get help, please do this. Your child will be happier and feel more accomplished if she can be on the same page as everyone else.
Good luck,
J. S

Besides all the advice, be very careful who you select to tutor your child. Ask lots of questions. Make sure you hold similar beliefs as they will be teaching and training your child. And know there history. Consider whether or not your child and the tutor are going to be alone. Provide a SAFE learning environment for your child to grow. Continue to seek and weigh things out to what things are important, keep your priorities straight.

A tutor may help to get her more adjusted to the standards of her new school. I would look for a private in home tutor. They are usually less expensive and offer one on one help. If you live near Lake Goodwin area North Snohomish county, I do tutoring in my home in the evenings and weekends. You can check out my business, it is listed here on this site. It is called P B Tutoring

You don't have to use me, there may be some one closer to where you live that can do it, too. Good Luck and I hope this helped you.

A.

Hello Liz, I have had friends send their children to Sylvan, and they thought the results were ok, but they don't pay their teachers (tutors) much. At our school, sometimes teachers know of someone who does tutoring with other kids from the school, or have personal recommendations. Ask your child's teacher, check the school bulletin board, ask other patents...but try not to stress it. Moving is tough for kids, and in this transition time, I think you are right on with not wanting to stress out your daughter any more. Do fun stuff together, too...especially before baby comes! And don't forget to BREATHE!! Another busy mother...

Liz,
I understand your concern. I actually work for Sylvan, but from home over the internet. Parents and schools have used this program to help children improve their chances for success. Check with your school first and see if they use Sylvan. If they don't, check out Sylvan online www.Tutoring.SylvanLearning.com.
Sylvan can be expensive, so definitely talk with your daughter's teacher and school to find out how they can help. Most schools want to help parents who want their children to succeed.

Here are some other online resources. Some of them may be too young for your daughter. A friend just sent them to me and I haven't yet had a chance to check all of them out.

http://www.starfall.com/ Very cool!
http://www.rainforestmaths.com/ Practice math concepts, some help required, not self checking, but lots of good practice.
http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/wordfamily/index.swf Word Family Sort
http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/wordwizard/ Spelling
http://www.bookadventure.com/ Read a book, take quizs, get prizes
http://www.janbrett.com/ Fun activities, author’s site
http://www.zoobooks.com/animalsAtoZ/directory.htm Zoobooks, learn about an animal
http://www.cogcon.com/gamegoo/gooey.html Fun letter/word games (Goo Games)

Im sorry you are having trouble. Its hard enough just moving to a new area let alone having to catch up. Is there resources at your daughters school? We go to Cascade Christian Elementary and my daughter is in the 3rd grade. I had heard that there are kids that go to the high school that offer to do tudoring some evenings for extra credit. maybe check that out and see if its an option. maybe sylvan is the way to go, even if it does cost it might be worth it just to get ahead...temporary...good luck to you all!

Ask the teacher if there are any games you can play together that help her learn. Also, I have purchased reader Rabbit, and Knowledge Adventure (they have them in the various grades) to help accel my child's school development.

The best choice, I think is for a tutor to catch her up if you can afford it.

yes. a tutor is the way to go. you might be able to find a college student studying to be a teacher that will do it for a lot less.

Is she actually having trouble with the work, or having trouble with the new standards?

Is the problem with the amount of work, or the work itself?

My daughter had a similar situation. She went to a school after years of homeschooling. She knew the material, always did well on tests, just had a real problem with turning things in on time - Her main priority was on social issues! This is the age where it starts! Mine was in 6th grade last year, but 4th grade can be just as trying to "the new kid".

Mine spent most of her time trying to figure out where she fit in, who her friends were going to be...etc.

Then she told me she wanted to get her hair cut in a special style that she'd actually had her eye on for quite a while. I tild her "No way, not until your grades get better" So we made a deal that she had to improve ALL of her grades to a B or better. That next quarter, she as on the honor roll! And she got her hair style.

It may be a matter of how your daughter sets her priorities.

So maybe bribery was my secret! :)

Another way might be to get her to study often with one or more of the other kids who are doing well and know the stuff from last year.

Good Luck!!

If she is struggling and needs help, request an evaluation through the school. Ask for every type of test/evaluation that is available. If they determine she is behind, the SCHOOL can provide (and needs to by law) any extra tutoring/help she needs. Of course depending on how good that school system is you may or may not want to include something like Kumon or Sylvan.

It may be that the standards are higher, or adjusting to a new environment/school or both... or sometimes a learning disability does not make itself readily apparent until certain ages.. when school work gets a bit more challenging.

I would get her evaluated by the school - if you request it they have to do it.. even if to rule out a learning disability - you could narrow it down to just adjusting to the new situation, or that the material is tougher. You do not have to pay for help for her if they find she needs it... they have people there to do that.

put an ad in paper and request it be cheap. Put signs up on your street. FYI my child tutors our neighbor's child and she doesnt ask for a dime. Well besides something to drink. So you will find one eventually. Sylvan is way out of hand on how much they charge. Good luck

Congrats on the pregnancy. Have you asked her teacher what you could/should do to help your daughter? Oftentimes the teacher will be able to give you spot-on advice (and most people LOVE to be asked). This would also give you a collaberative relationship with the teacher that would probably help the two of you create a supportive and nurturing environment for you daughter.