Ask the Teacher

My second grade daughter is starting to get excited about reading and can read simple chapter books. How do I go about picking appropriate books for...

My fourth grade daughter insists that I sit with her while she does her homework. I have so much going on getting dinner ready and...

“Isn’t everyone a little ADHD?”    “Those kids just don’t want to sit still.”    “Girls don’t have ADHD.”    “I was the same way when I was in school,...

My sixth grader started out the year so strong, but now she is struggling to get her work in on time. She keeps good...

My child’s teacher said she will have volunteer sign-ups at the open house on the evening before school starts. I love the idea of...

Sign-ups for fall sports and activities start in just a few weeks. The options and commitments are overwhelming. What is a reasonable amount of afterschool activity...

My son’s school asks that we read a minimum of 15 minutes per day with our child over the summer. I know summer reading...

My son’s school asks that we read a minimum of 15 minutes per day with our child over the summer. I know reading is important and I...

I always struggle to come up with good gift ideas for my children’s teachers at the end of the year. What kinds of presents do teachers...

My son just turned five and is looking forward to starting kindergarten in the fall. Several friends have asked me whether I am sending...

This article appears in our February 2016 issue of Indy’s Child Parenting Magazine. Flip through it here or pick up a copy today at your local...

I am very surprised that my fifth grade daughter is allowed to do-over assignments, including re-taking tests. I am concerned that she is not...

My son’s teacher requires him to read for twenty minutes five nights a week. We spend twice that amount of time trying to get...

When I attended Parent Night for my third grade son, I was surprised when the teacher said that she would not be emphasizing math...

I have a hard time imagining that bullying is any worse than it ever was. Some kids are just mean. Why is so much...

Can you explain what “PBL” means? My daughter’s new teacher has this term listed on her classroom webpage but I’m not sure what it...

My daughter is so disorganized. When she heads to middle school next year and has a locker, I don’t know how she will manage....

I hear comments all the time about restricting screen time for my young kids. They love playing video games so much that I just...

My fourth grade son was surprised and upset that he did not get straight A’s for the last quarter of the year. How can...

We have a long driving vacation planned, and it seems like a good opportunity for reinforcing some school skills. What can I do other...