Black Parents....Wake Up!

Successful Students Need More Than A,B,C & 1,2,3

2009-03-02T22:11:00.013-05:00

Teaching letters, numbers, sounds, phonetics, reading and math skills will certainly put them on the right track to closing the achievement gap at home. When my children entered kindergarten, school was a review for them; they knew most of the skills being learned, but attending kindergarten each day gave them a chance to master these skills.

They were at the top of their class and the main purpose of kindergarten for them was sharpening their skill of letters, numbers and mastering how to put them together. They learned how to socialize with other children and learned the rules of school.

TEACHING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

I also taught my children emotional intelligence. Teaching them resiliency and how to bounce back. I wanted them to understand at an early age, disappointment and frustration is a part of life, it is how you handle it that counts. I would roleplay with them about circumstances they may encounter in their younger school years; and I told them how to handle certain situations at their age level.

My son, who is now 18; I am still talking to him about handling situations out in the world. Now that he is driving, I roleplay how to handle being pulled over the police; what to do if he has an auto accident, major or minor. I gave him examples of being in college and everyone is drinking, should he allow them to drive home? I gave him example after example on situations that he may come across and asked him, "What Would You Do...?

Even though my son is 18, but you should begin roleplay with children at a young age. Of course the scenarios and examples will be different, but it teaches them how to handle adversity.

For example: I would ask my 4 or 5 year old.....

What street and city do you live in?
What state do yo live in?

What is your phone number?

What number do you dial in an emergency?

What is an emergency to you (meaning the child)?

What do you do if someone is bullying you at school?

What if you get a bad grade in school, etc

What do you do if someone calls you a name?

Teaching children emotional intelligence will carry them through life's ups and downs. Children should be taught to delay gratification, how to be self-motivated, how to read other people's body language and feel empathy for others; most importantly allowing a child to talk about and feel their own emotions.

Children come with different personalities and temperaments, but emotional intelligence is taught. The learn how to handle life's ups and downs by watching, listening and learning from adults around them.

MATH & READING BY THIRD GRADE

2009-02-28T00:00:00.006-05:00

Math in the early years should be constant repetition and practice, practice, practice. If your child has a good foundation on adding and subtracting simple numbers in kindergarten and first grade, they will soon need to learn to add and subtract high level numbers.

SECOND GRADE

By second grade the introduction of simple multiplication should be introduced. 0x2=, 1x6=. Teach one segment of numbers at a time. Of course the zeros are fairly easy, any number multiplied by zero equals 0. Next do the 1's, and so on and so forth. There are a number of simple workbooks that can assist you in working with your child.

THIRD GRADE

BY Third grade, if you have been practicing and working with your child in reading and math, in a patient fun, way, your child should have mastered the basics of reading, still working on phonetics and vocabulary and spelling, but is able to read and do math at least on their grade level.

Reading and math practice should be a normal part of a child's life from preschool through grade 3. Most parents can teach their child up to third grade. If you need help, ask teachers, librarians for resources, books, workbooks, etc.

Reading materials should be available at home on your child's grade level, below and above. Children should have a variety of books, topics and sizes to choose from at home. I have heard parents say their boy will not read books, and I say, have you tried comic books, children's magazines, nonfiction or books that are true, such as cookbooks, how to books, etc. Many think the only reading material is a fiction story or a novel. You must find out what interests your child. Reading should be fun. Reading for enjoyment, should be at or below the child's reading level.

It does not make sense to insist on your 8 year old reading Harry Potter, when they are interested in reading Captain Underpants. Reading for pleasure, should be just that, pleasurable.

Early Reading & Math Tips for African American Parents

2009-02-20T14:14:00.012-05:00

African American Parents should begin teaching skills early as possible. I will give you examples to begin with the items you have at home or low cost items to enhance teaching the skill to your child.

COLORS:

RED, BLUE, GREEN, YELLOW, GREEN, ORANGE, WHITE, BLACK, BROWN, PURPLE, PINK
Find items around the house with these colors. (Make sure red is red and not pink.

1. Begin with one color (let's say RED), and stay with that color until your child has mastered knowing and recognizing that color. Put 3 or 4 Red items in a bag

2. Add another Color when child knows one color. For example add Yellow. Find yellow items around the house put in a bag. After your child has mastered Yellow mix the red and yellow items in a bag and ask the child to pick out 1 red item, (see if they understand the color "RED." Then ask the child to pick out 1 yellow item. (see if they understand the color "YELLOW." Do this over and over until the child knows these colors inside and out. Repeat the same by adding one more color at a time.

SHAPES:

3. Do the same with Shapes. Circle, Square, Triangle.

4. Go to the Public Library and find Picture books on Colors, Shapes and Read this book over and over.

LETTERS & SOUNDS OF LETTERS:

5. Begin with Upper Case (Capital Letter). Start with one letter at a time and repeat with each letter. (Your child may not be ready for letters and numbers until age 3) Make sure you teach the sound along with the letter. For example if you begin with the letter B. Show them B and say the sound "Ba, Ba, Ba" and give them word that they know that begins with "B" such as "Ball".
Repeat until your child knows all letters and sounds.
Remember: Teaching does not happen in a week or even a month. You Teach your Child over the course of several weeks and months. So by the time they are 5 years old, they have mastered these skills.

MATH & COUNTING

6. Introduce numbers the same way. Teach your child the concept of one item, two items, three items, and so on.

7. Do simple math; for example put one apple in a bag, add another, now teach your child you now have two apples. Keep adding objects to the bag until your child has mastered the concept of counting, then adding, then subtraction.

Your Local Dollar Store has inexpensive items to help teach your child.

Magnetic Numbers
Magnetic Letters
Foam Letter and Numbers in a puzzle
Letter and Numbers Flash Cards
Picture Books
Toddler and Preschool Workbooks
Crayons - Thick Crayons for Toddlers
Simple Wooden Puzzles
Memory Game - Matching Colors, animals, etc.

If you need further ideas or have questions contact me at: RaisingSmartBlackKids@gmail.com

African American Parents, Must Teach Reading & Math Early

2009-02-20T13:33:00.008-05:00

Reading in African American Families with Toddlers

Early skills in colors, shapes, saying out loud and recognizing the alphabet are imperative before your student goes to school. If you begin as early as two years old with colors and shapes, most parents will be surprised how bright their child is and how well they understand a concept.

As I told you in earlier post, parents are the first teachers, DO NOT wait until kindergarten and think the teacher is to teach these skills. Nowadays, children, especially Black and Latino children, should be taught early and often ages, 2, 3 and 4.

I have heard parents say they cannot teach their child.....Well, I say to you, find someone who can. My next post will be examples of what you can do to help Black children learn these skills.

Beginning Math Skills in African American Families with Toddlers

Now, let's talk about early math. Math is sometimes overlooked and underrated in African American families. But, believe me when I say, it is just as important, if not more important than reading early. I say this, because children practice reading all the time, in school and there are words and colors and shapes all around them all the time.

With math you may have to be a little more creative and intentional when working with math skills with your 2, 3 and 4 year old. Now, remember beginning at age 2 may be a little young for some children, but start there with colors and shapes. Do one concept at a time and do not rush, you have plenty of time, but you need to practice with your child enough that your child does not forget and have to start remembering all over.

Parents should begin with basic counting. Learning to recognize numbers and counting of objects. After teaching these concepts of counting and recognizing numbers. Simple adding can begin. Your child may not understand this lesson until about age 3 or 3 1/2. By age 4 they should be doing subtraction of simple numbers up to the number 10.

Math should be practiced almost every day, intentionally. My next post will help you do this at home. Remember, In African American Families, they must begin to teach their children earlier....DO NOT wait until your child goes to Kindergarten and they have no skill or no knowledge of books, letters, numbers, shapes or colors.

Teaching these skills before kindergarten will certainly put your child at the front of his class.

The Achievement Gap...and What to Do About It

2009-02-19T17:17:00.005-05:00

The Achievement Gap

What is the Achievement Gap

The Achievement Gap is the disparity or difference between the performance of groups of students, students defined by gender, or race and socioeconomic or financial status. Mostly the Achievement Gap can be measured a variety of ways, including standardized test scores in school, grade point average, dropout rates, college enrollment rates. And mostly measured between White, Black and Hispanic students. The Achievement Gap can also be measure in gender, for example, males dominate the engineering and science fields and math fields of study in college. We must ask ourselves early on, as parents, why is that? We must question ourselves as parents on how do we even if we are low income, minority how do we narrow or close that gap in learning and achievement.

What is the cause of the Achievement Gap

While there is no clear cause of the Achievement Gap, cultural competency and parent involvement in the educational lives of students or lack thereof is closely tied to the gap in grades and ability between African American and White children of the same age. Others believe is the culture or environment in which children are raised plays a major role in the gap in achieving in school.

Some may argue that Black parents begin educating their children later than White parents. That is why it is imperative that Black parents begin working and teaching their students, the basics before age 4. Not just the A, B, Cs and 1, 2, 3s; but exposing them to cultural events outside of their community. Museums, the zoo, library, parades, festivals, camping, airplane rides, train rides, trip to the beach, spending the night in a hotel, having a picnic, going fishing, having a tea party, taking a cruise, attending a ballet, attending the local high school productions, even if you have no children in high school. These are a few cultural ways to expose your children even before they attend kindergarten.

How do African American and Latino Parents solve the Problem:

When your child is born, decide what type of educational life your child will have. A child cannot learn to read, write, tie shoes, talk, sing, without the help of parents and adults. Children should know these skills before they even begin school. I am going to say this over and over again…..teach your children to read, write, spell and adding and subtracting even before they attend kindergarten.

Talk to your kids in a calm, patient positive manner. Set clear limitations and boundaries at an early age. If you have a strong-willed child; you must be more persistent as a parent.

Teach your child early and they will have a love for learning. Always introduce new ideas and concepts, books, daytrips, educational television shows, etc. Make sure you have family time. If you have several children, make sure each one has “mommy and me” time together with you. This time is not just for small children, my son is 18 and we still have mom and me time. We usually start off at the bookstore, he will buy a book or sometimes a magazine, we will go to lunch or if money is low, we pack our lunch at home and bring a blanket to the park or we will have dinner at the food court in the local mall in the weather is too bad to be outside. The idea is to talk and listen to each other and have fun.

Have fun with your children, don’t see them as a bother….see them as an asset to your life and the life of your family.

Here are a few Tips to Closing the Achievement Gap at Home:
Parents should begin teaching colors, shapes, letters, numbers and beginning sight words by age 2.

Children should have mastered colors and shapes, names of animals, objects, places and know most uppercase letters by age 4.

Teach your child to read early, poor readers, read less, less reading equals less knowledge of words.

Teach your kids the meaning of words they don’t know or understand early

Expose your children to cultural/family events outside of your community as much as possible. Museums, zoo, library, festivals, parades, fishing, picking apples or strawberries, having a picnic in the park , camping in tent or cabin, eat together, shop for groceries together, reading books, etc.

Build their knowledge of the world around them.

Talk and listen to your child often.

Read picture and story books; ask questions after readying (why did the dog run down the road) (what color was the girl’s hair), etc.

Pay attention to how much TV your child watches and what your child is watching. Watching MTV or BET at age 3 will not close the Achievement Gap in your home.

Practice basic math skills, adding, subtracting, story problems, etc. (1+3=?) and( 8–2=?).

Purchase low cost workbooks according to your child’s age and ability.

Teach your child to use their imagination and teach them to love to learn and have fun doing it.

Tips to Raising Smart Black Students in the 21st Century.

2009-02-19T17:12:00.002-05:00

How to Give your African American child the best start
before they step into a classroom

At Birth every African American parent should seriously write down what type of child they want to raise as far as education level, school success, learning ability, etc. There comes a time with all parents when they must begin to think about schooling and education for their child.
Times have changed and students must be able to read, write and have math and science skills in this 21st century and later in life.
Do NOT wait until your child is 15 years old to realize he/she cannot read, write, spell or do math. Unless there is a learning disability; all children can learn to their ability.

Here are a few tips for African American and Latino parents to think about way before their child enters preschool:

• Teach the soft skills early also known as comportment. Back in the day it would be called using your manners, saying “please” and “thank you.” Shaking hands when you are greeted, looking people in the eye when speaking to them. Something as simply as saying “YES,” not “yeah, “ or “uh-huh,” will carry your preschool and school age child a long way at every level of schooling.
• Teach your child early proper words and proper English. Slang and ebonics should not be the everyday language of a 3 or 4 year old. Poor language habits are hard to break.
• Introduce books and reading to your child early, even before they can talk. Begin teaching colors, shapes and pictures as early as 18 months. Many 18-20 month olds do not have the language skills to talk yet, but they can point to identify a simple picture on demand. (ex. Tree, flower, dog, cat, house, etc.)
• Talk to your child and ask simple questions, at the dinner table, in the car, on the bus, at the bus stop. This will give your child the skill to talk and then to listen.
• Get rid of as much chaos in your family and in your life as possible before your child begins school. Make a decision to live a drama free lifestyle around your children.
• Begin to teach your child emotional intelligence by age 3. They will have to learn to accept disappointment at times. Teach them to be resilient and bounce back if things go wrong. Like I tell my kids, there is a solution to every problem.
• Make sure you as the parent and everyone involved with the child takes education seriously. Make sure your kids get to school on time and get enough nutritious food and sleep at night.
• Allow your children to be curious and to use their imagination and pretend.
• And make sure you have age appropriate books in your home at all times.
• Teach your children how to learn and to love learning new things and ideas.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN PARENTS….STOP AND THINK ABOUT….

 African American parents should sit back and think about what is going on in their home; the good and the bad.
 When possible keep all chaos away from y our children at all times at any cost.
 Does your financial situation define you and/or your children and family?
 Know your school folks, principal, teachers, secretary, custodian, etc.
 Ask yourself, do you value the street module or education module. (A baby thug will most likely turn into a teenage thug.)
 If your school is not of the best quality, you MUST do your job as a parent and teacher at home.
 All children, especially African American children need to be prepared as much as possible for global learning, through travel, exposure outside of their community and technology.
 TEACH YOUR CHILDREN HOW TO BEHAVE IN PUBLIC…IN SCHOOL ANYWHERE OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME.

From a Parent to a Parent

2009-02-16T23:52:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone, my name is Carla and this is my first blog. My blog is for parents, especially geared toward African American and minority parents who need tried and true insight on helping their child be successful in school. I am a mom, a true parent who eats, sleeps and drinks, education. I made up my mind when my children where babies the direction I wanted them to take in their schooling. In today's world parents, especially Black parents have to be more vigilant than ever to educate even their toddler children; and I will share my ideas with anyone who want them.

I tell people all the time, my kids were born dumb as hell.....I made them smart, I taught them the basics and also more importantly taught them how to have the curiosity and a love for learning more. I have worked tirelessly in my kids school, my community and our Parent Teachers Association (PTA). I have been PTA mom, PTA president, Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Den mother, started a Black parent group in my community and sit on several Boards. I try very had to not just talk the talk.......I try to walk the walk when it comes to hold my kids accountable for their education.

There are times when I feel I must be "politically incorrect," for my message to be heard in our school district and in my community. Minority children and especially those on the lower end of the socioeconomic scale, need an extra hand...if they are not getting it in school.

I have been through kindergarten through 12th grade, and will soon be beginning the college years. I have had many trials and tribulations in attempting to get my children the best education they can possibly have in our school district. Hopefully I can be a help to some parent out there in cyberspace. I have a lot to say and still have a lot to learn. Let me know what you think and be patient with me....this blog stuff is new to me.