Parent To Parent - Parent's suggestions, tips, advice, and recommendations.
“Be ready to actually be involved. Dave is unlike other teachers you’ve had before, he is truly all about the growth of children in ways I didn’t think that could happen as early as Kindergarten. He welcomes each parent to truly be a part of their child’s progress, and welcomes individuality of both parents and children to make it a unique fun and unforgettable experience for all”
Music Lessons
-I recommend your child take the music lessons. It is to their advantage that the lessons are in class as it will help them build relationships with their classmates and teacher. There is a bond between the students, as I have witnessed they become more collaborative.
-If your child takes the lessons, it is a good idea to make it part of their daily routine: practice every day (5-10 minutes), play music related to the instrument (YouTube has some good videos ). The key word being consistent. It does not have to be the same time every day, but your child should do some sort of practice every day (Example: When my daughter started piano lessons, she would practice the keys she learned and repeated 5-10 times. When she learned part of a song, we would practice each part 5 times, then the entire song 3 times)
-If you decide to have your child take the music lessons, involve family and friends that know music. Involve those family and friends in your child's musical growth. It again just enhances the experience.
Parent Volunteer
-Any time that you can give to the class to volunteer is appreciated. Dave is very accommodating and appreciative of any help. THere is never "not enough time" or too little of help to give.
-Volunteering in the classroom helps you learn the routine of the classroom and Dave's instructional style. It also helps you learn the students names and the "who's who" in the class.
-You build a bond with your child AND the other students.
Homework
-Same concept as music lessons: consistent, part of daily routine.
-Use the work done in class as part of homework. Example: When your child brings home seat work, have them "practice" for you at home. Dave works very hard with each of his students and the reinforcement will help them retain the information.
-Mix it up a little. Dave gives the parents many options for homework so mix it up so that your child does not become bored.
Mr. Martocchio was very prompt and thorough in responding to all of my questions and concerns. I liked the K2 update telling how my child was doing in school. The one thing I think that could be improved, is Mr. Martocchio initiating communication about a problem or issue with a child. Both with my child and some others that I happened to talk to him about, it seemed that he had a great sense of what challenges the child was facing at school and how to help the child, but waited until the parents came to him to talk about it before he said anything. I can imagine it would be very hard to contact every parent about everything. Maybe just stressing this issue up front, that if your child seems to be having a problem or struggling, just ask him about it, as he is very intoned to all of the children's various issues, and is happy to discuss with you at any time. You just need to ask him. Once I (and other parents) learned this, I think it made a world of difference to us as parents and to our children.
Music Lessons
-I recommend your child take the music lessons. It is to their advantage that the lessons are in class as it will help them build relationships with their classmates and teacher. There is a bond between the students, as I have witnessed they become more collaborative.
-If your child takes the lessons, it is a good idea to make it part of their daily routine: practice every day (5-10 minutes), play music related to the instrument (YouTube has some good videos ). The key word being consistent. It does not have to be the same time every day, but your child should do some sort of practice every day (Example: When my daughter started piano lessons, she would practice the keys she learned and repeated 5-10 times. When she learned part of a song, we would practice each part 5 times, then the entire song 3 times)
-If you decide to have your child take the music lessons, involve family and friends that know music. Involve those family and friends in your child's musical growth. It again just enhances the experience.
Parent Volunteer
-Any time that you can give to the class to volunteer is appreciated. Dave is very accommodating and appreciative of any help. THere is never "not enough time" or too little of help to give.
-Volunteering in the classroom helps you learn the routine of the classroom and Dave's instructional style. It also helps you learn the students names and the "who's who" in the class.
-You build a bond with your child AND the other students.
Homework
-Same concept as music lessons: consistent, part of daily routine.
-Use the work done in class as part of homework. Example: When your child brings home seat work, have them "practice" for you at home. Dave works very hard with each of his students and the reinforcement will help them retain the information.
-Mix it up a little. Dave gives the parents many options for homework so mix it up so that your child does not become bored.
Mr. Martocchio was very prompt and thorough in responding to all of my questions and concerns. I liked the K2 update telling how my child was doing in school. The one thing I think that could be improved, is Mr. Martocchio initiating communication about a problem or issue with a child. Both with my child and some others that I happened to talk to him about, it seemed that he had a great sense of what challenges the child was facing at school and how to help the child, but waited until the parents came to him to talk about it before he said anything. I can imagine it would be very hard to contact every parent about everything. Maybe just stressing this issue up front, that if your child seems to be having a problem or struggling, just ask him about it, as he is very intoned to all of the children's various issues, and is happy to discuss with you at any time. You just need to ask him. Once I (and other parents) learned this, I think it made a world of difference to us as parents and to our children.
