INFORMATION BULLETIN
2011EDUC0072-001086
Sept. 1, 2011

Ministry of Education

Back-to-school tips to improve studying, literacy

As students get ready to head back to school, here are some
tips to help them have a successful year and get the most out of their
study time:

Parents of Primary Students:

* Let your children see you read, and set aside time each day for family
reading.
* Ask your children to read to you while you prepare a meal.
* Get your children excited about reading by taking turns reading pages
or acting out characters.
* Talk to your children about what they read. Ask them questions that
require them to read between the lines and think about what they have
just read. This will help improve their reading comprehension. For some
tips, check out this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WqFPWSBG18&feature=player_profilepage
* Introduce your children to a variety of literary genres and see which
one they most enjoy.
* Introduce your children to Aboriginal culture and history through
stories and other learning opportunities.
* Help your children get a library card and take weekly trips with them
to the library.

Parents of Intermediate/Middle School Students:

* Set up a daily homework routine. Designate a homework area away from
distractions like the television and Internet, and with adequate
lighting and supplies.
* When it is time for your children to do their homework, reinforce
strong study habits by also doing yours: balance your chequebook, pay
your bills or immerse yourself in a book.
* Let your children read comic books in their spare time because comics
can encourage positive reading habits and can play a role in improving
literacy.
* Help your children identify difficult and easy homework tasks and get
them to tackle the most difficult subjects first.
* Make yourself available to answer questions and offer help, but do not
do your children’s homework for them.
* Ask your children questions and have them explain what they have just
read or studied.
* Encourage your children to write stories, poetry and songs.
* Keep an assignment calendar on the fridge for quick reference of due
dates, exams and how they fit with other activities.

Parents of Secondary Students:

* Continue with an established homework routine. Make adjustments as
needed, such as after-school or weekend time set aside for working on
big projects.
* Encourage your teenagers to take 20 minutes each night to read over
their notes from that day or rewrite them using colours to highlight
important information so they retain it longer.
* Have your children take regular breaks to help alleviate eye, neck and
brain fatigue while studying. This will help them be more productive and
retain more of what they read and study.
* Encourage your teenagers to explore magazines or appropriate websites
on subjects that interest them to keep them reading. Most local
libraries carry selections of magazines on a variety of topics,
including sports, science, mechanics and politics.
* Keep an assignment calendar on the fridge for quick reference of due
dates, exams and how they fit with other activities.

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect