This week is Read Aloud to a Child Week in Virginia. Depending on the age of your child, this takes different forms in your house. The folks who run readtothem.org say "There is a large body of research that documents and explains the benefits of reading aloud to children. It may in fact be the most important activity that parents can share with children to help them become strong readers. Reading aloud builds a strong parent-child bond that can last a lifetime!"

This year's theme is perseverance - what a great talking point for us and our children!  “Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success,” or perseverance, is something we can all share examples of from our lives. Think about books, articles, blogs, or posts that you can share with your child this week to emphasize the notion that

Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.

Five books to consider sharing with your child this week to emphasize perseverance:

   

Parent - Teacher Conference Day is fast approaching. While the conference meeting is intended as an opportunity to discuss student growth and plan for teamed home-school support as the year progresses, many families experience mixed emotions regarding this event.   

Five Important Things 

to remember about how to make the conference appointment valuable for all involved:

1. Make a list. Have you had a question about something but not asked yet? Are there things you want to be sure the teacher knows? Making a list prior to the meeting will ensure that all important topics are covered and everyone feels that his/her voice was heard in the meeting.
2. Bring the student. Who better to comment on the needs and abilities of the student than the student? Having the student present also allows the parent(s) and teacher to emphasize the teamed support adults need to demonstrate for the student's success.
3. Listen...really listen. Since you have a list of the items you want to be sure to cover, really focus on what the teacher has to say about your student's progress so that you can work together to best support your child's success in the classroom. Taking the time to really hear what the teacher has to say will afford you the opportunity to work together effectively for the good of your student.
4. Take notes. Because a lot will be shared in a short amount of time, it's a good idea to take notes. The teacher or student may share information that needs additional thought or follow-up action. Be sure to jot down all you need to know so that you can effectively support your student after the conference meeting.
5. Debrief. Talk with your student about the meeting. Share what made you proud, any concerns you have, and how you plan to work with the teacher to support him/her as the school year progresses. Discuss how he/she felt during the meeting and how he/she plans to proceed in the class.

Peter and Paul Reynolds, twin brothers who run FableVision, operate with the focus of "dedicat[ion] to helping all learners discover their true potential." The brothers created a video, "Above and Beyond" and a corresponding book, "Going Places." Their work to encourage students provides parents with 

Five Important Points to Ponder

1. Look for Inspiration - The things that we enjoy on an everyday basis can often inspire us to create something in a new, innovative way. Find ways to incorporate "regular" items into a design you're working on.
2. Find Your Way to Success - Failure is not an end! Keep trying and make adjustments until it works.
3. Think Outside the Box - While instructions can be a helpful guide, some of the most creative innovations are generated by stepping away from the directions. If you can think of a different way to be successful, follow a different plan.
4. Be Proud of Being Different - Just because your creation doesn't look like everyone else's doesn't mean it isn't fantastic. Invest in your own ideas and stand behind them.
5. Create Bravely - Taking risks can be scary, but can often lead to exciting results. Be willing to take a chance and watch it pay off.