Lee’s 2024 Back-to-School Tips

As the school year approaches, I always reflect on how to set the right tone for my students’ academic success. Framing the school year is crucial because it helps establish a balance between structured routines and the flexibility needed to adapt to new challenges. By setting this foundation early on, we can create an environment where children thrive not just academically, but personally as well.

Overview:

• Limit Screen Time
• Practice Tests Early
• Ask Open-Ended Questions

Why Framing the School Year is Important

For me, the start of the school year is all about finding the right balance between setting a schedule and allowing for some flexibility. Children thrive on routines, but they also need space to explore and adapt to new experiences. That’s why I advocate for establishing a consistent daily schedule while remaining open to adjustments as needed.

Here’s my morning routine, which I’ve followed for the past year:

• Wake up at the same time every day to establish consistency.
• Drink a glass of water to hydrate and refresh.
• Implement a no-screen rule for the first 30 minutes after waking up to promote a peaceful morning.
• Practice 15 minutes of yoga or mindfulness to start the day with calm and focus.
• Set an intention for the day before opening my phone or computer to create a focused mindset.
• Recite my mantra: Be grateful, be present, be kind.

This type of structure provides predictability and creates a comforting and focused start to the day. The individual and corporate routines you set may differ significantly from mine, but the setting of routines can be a great opportunity for a family to discuss priorities, affirm deeply held commitments, and bond more closely with one another. Implementing this structure has helped me enter the most calming and restful period of my life, despite being extremely busy in my work life.

On the flip side, it’s important to recognize when flexibility is needed. If your child is overwhelmed with homework or extracurricular activities, it might be necessary to adjust the schedule. Maybe a midweek break is in order, or perhaps shifting some activities to the weekend would help. The key is to maintain the routine but stay attuned to your child’s needs.  Now on to my 3 tips for this upcoming school year.

Tip #1: Limiting Screen Time – Introducing More Intentional Activities

One of the most significant challenges I face as an educator is managing screen time. The majority of my work week is spent in front of a screen, and those devices are usually doing their best to notify me of something else I should be doing. Spoiler alert: It’s best to work on only one thing at a time because humans cannot multitask, despite my countless friends who claim they can.  Here is a peer-reviewed journal article discussing the cost of trying to multitask.

I’m a huge advocate for limiting recreational screen use because I’ve seen firsthand how it can crowd out more intentional, enriching activities.  I’ve read The Anxious Generation and while I do think that social media and phone use can lead to addiction, I also believe that there is a use for phones. However, when I ask students about their top priorities, I never hear “social media.” I firmly believe that much of our screen time distracts us from our true priorities in life.

Specific Example: In my household, I limit screen time to no more than one hour on weekdays. This hour is typically reserved for educational programs or interactive learning apps. By setting this boundary, it opens up more time for other activities—like reading, enjoying the outdoors, or engaging in creative projects.

Recommendation: I recommend parents implement screen-free times, especially during meals and within an hour before bedtime. This not only reduces screen dependency but also promotes better sleep and family bonding. On weekends, we might allow for a bit more screen time but always with a purpose, like watching a documentary or playing a family video game that encourages teamwork.

Tip #2: Preparing for Standardized Tests – Building Confidence Through Consistency

When it comes to standardized tests, I’ve found that preparation should be an ongoing process rather than a last-minute cram session. Consistent, short study sessions can make a significant difference in your child’s confidence and performance.

Specific Example for Virginia Students: We start our test prep as early as possible. 

• For Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs), students can use resources on the VDOE website and utilize the TestNav software to review for each grade level. 
• For high school students, Advanced Placement (AP) tests and PSAT/SATs are on the horizon. Both of these can be practiced by downloading Bluebook software and logging in with a College Board account. 

By integrating practice questions into a weekly routine,  students form strong test preparation habits. This not only familiarizes students with the test format but also identifies areas where they might need extra help.

Recommendation: I suggest these study sessions be held at least once a week, with more frequent reviews as the test date approaches. As the test gets closer, we increase the frequency to two or three times a week, but we keep the sessions short to avoid burnout.

Tip #3: Increasing Intellectual Curiosity – Encouraging Exploration Beyond the Classroom

Intellectual curiosity is something I deeply value and strive to cultivate in my students. I believe learning should extend beyond the classroom, and it’s our role as parents and educators to nurture this curiosity.

Specific Example: One way we do this is by setting aside Sunday afternoons for “Exploration Time.” During this time, I encourage my students to dive into a topic of their choice—whether it’s reading about space, conducting a simple science experiment, or exploring a new hobby like drawing or coding. This unstructured learning is incredibly powerful because it’s driven by their interests.

Recommendation: I recommend dedicating at least one hour a week to this kind of exploratory learning. It doesn’t have to be on Sunday afternoons—find a time that works best for your family. Another suggestion for parents is to set aside 15 minutes each day (set an alarm!) to ask open-ended questions of your child. Here are examples of open-ended questions parents can ask their children at different grade levels to foster critical thinking and intellectual curiosity:

Elementary School (K-5)

• About a Book or Story: “What do you think would happen if the main character made a different choice? How do you think the story would change?”
• About Science or Nature: “Why do you think plants need sunlight to grow? What would happen if they didn’t get any sunlight?”
• About Math Problems: “Can you think of a different way to solve this problem? Why do you think that way works?”

Middle School (6-8)

• About Current Events: “How do you think the community is affected by [a specific news event]? What do you think should be done differently?”
• About History: “If you could change one event in history, what would it be and why? How do you think it would impact the world today?”
• About Personal Interests: “What is something that perplexed you recently? What do you want to learn more about and why?”

High School (9-12)

• About Literature: “How does the setting of the story influence the characters’ decisions? What do you think the author is trying to convey through this?”
• About College and Career Goals: “What career paths are you considering, and how do they align with your personal interests and strengths? What do you think would be the most rewarding part of that career?”
• About Ethics or Morality: “Is it ever okay to break the rules? Can you think of a situation where breaking the rules might be justified? Why or why not?”

Final Thoughts

As we gear up for another school year, I hope these tips help you set a positive and productive tone in your household. By thoughtfully framing the school year, limiting screen time, preparing for tests consistently, and fostering intellectual curiosity, we can create an environment where our children not only succeed academically but also develop a love for learning that will last a lifetime.

My aim in this post is not to encourage parents to fill every possible minute of their child’s schedule with activities. Quite the contrary. I want to promote unstructured but intentional time where we can all think about what we want to discover in life. #AspirationsForAll