OUR FUTURE

Refreshments and registration: A3

Homework and Routines: A3

Maths Workshop: E6: Mr Govender and Mr Kersey

English Workshop: A1 Mrs Simpson

Departure: Safe journeys home.

TONIGHT’S SESSIONS

Why is it important for parents to be involved in homework?

Studies in Britain have shown that children who are supported by their families with homework are likely to perform significantly better in academic examinations at 16 years old and beyond than those who do not.

By showing an interest you are communicating the fact that school work is important and needs to be taken seriously.

HOMEWORK

Issues that students face with homework

• Organisation

• Prioritising tasks

• Understanding the tasks

• Focus & concentration

• Time management

• Quality work

Teenage brain development Information for parents

• Over the last 10 years brain scans (MRI) have told us more about how teenager brains function differently to adult brains

• By knowing more about how the teenager’s brain works it can help adults to understand their behaviour better – Why they may take risks, sleep a lot, be impulsive, emotional, rebellious, disorganised, distracted and late!

• Teenagers may look physically mature but their brains are still developing into their early twenties

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TEENAGE BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

As adults we use the frontal part of our brain to think, make judgements, organise ourselves and

interpret facial expressions and emotions

By using brain scans(MRI) researchers have found that while the front part of the teenager’s

brain is growing and developing they use this part of their brain less for some functions

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TEENAGE BRAIN DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

In teenagers control of speech

and interpreting facial expressions and

emotionsis controlled by the

part of the brain we use

when we are in danger

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THE CEO OF THE BRAIN

The frontal lobes: executive decisions and moral/ethical control

Development continues from back to front through early 20’s

“It’s sort of unfair to expect

teens to have adult levels of organizational

skills or decision-making before their brains are finished being

built.”- Dr. Giedd

FRONTAL LOBE

• Problem solving• Judgment• Inhibition of

behavior• Planning• Self-monitoring• Personality• Emotions

• Organization• Attention• Concentration• Mental flexibility• Speaking• Awareness of

abilities• Self-control • “do the right

thing”

DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING THEY TELL

YOU…..

Teens relied on the amygdala, associated with emotion and gut

reactions.

MRI tests: Teens see anger when it was not

intendedTeens can be irrational and overly emotional

Teenage brain development Sleep - Information for parents

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TEENAGE SLEEP

Teenagers need at least 9 hrs sleep to be optimally alert

Changes in sleep patterns are linked to puberty and changes in hormones

Puberty is a time when teenager’s physical growth speeds up and this is controlled by the

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girls about 11 years

boys around 14years

TEENAGE SLEEP

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Teenagers are growing very quickly in a short time

TEENAGER’S SLEEP PATTERNS

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Growth hormone is released during sleep

To grow this quickly they need to make more growth hormone in their

body

TEENAGE SLEEP

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Teenagers will continue with this sleep pattern until they have finished puberty

Near the end of puberty they will change to an adult patternFor girls this is about 19.5 years of age

and boys around 21 years of age

In teenagers the sleep hormone

(melatonin) is released about

1am

compared to 10pm in adults

ROUTINES

SUPPORTING YOUR TEENAGER

TIPS FOR PARENTS Bedtime routines and having ways to settle off to sleep are

still important. You might just need to adapt them to be

more in tune with what is happening to your teenager’s

body

Try to encourage a regular bed time that is not too early

Try to keep calm – Just as when they were younger they

will rely on you to help them stay calm

Keep bedroom cool

Encourage a calm down time such as agreeing a time to

stop using the computer and TV.

Reduce lighting - Having dimmable/lamp lighting can be

helpful

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BACK TO SCHOOLImagine you are reviewing the homework set this week.1.Use the cards to prioritise your homework

2.Choose one to complete now!

History: Complete all cartoons on sheet 4th Feb

Drama: Define physical theatre, how have I used it?

3rd Feb

Spanish: Learn first column of blue vocab sheet

4th Feb

Science: Complete sheet and design cell (optional)

3rd Feb

Spanish: Design an A4 leaflet/poster about Spanish festival Dia de la

Hispanidad 4th Feb

English: Half hour on sonnet 5th Feb

Geography: Complete 1 task p1-3 from booklet and advertising script

5th Feb

Art: Finish Portrait, see sketch book 5th Feb

Art: Nelson Mandela, research portrait pictures and write about

them. Basic details 4th Feb

Maths: Complete sheet 3rd Feb

How to support your child with their

homework

Or how to turn this…

… to this

How you can help

• Check your child’s planner and Insight every day

• Provide some space and time

• Get into a routine

• Use rewards

• Give time limits

• Limit the use of TV/electronic devices that sap time and focus!

Organising, prioritising and time management

How you can help

• Read through the instructions and help to get them started

• Encourage your child to talk to staff if ever unsure

• Check the end result for quality

• Test them – Spanish vocabulary, spellings, times tables etc

• Ask questions

• Encourage reading

Quality tasks

How you can help

• Have a homework folder

• Label the pieces of work with the child’s name, teachers name and due date

• Check all pieces are in the folder & school bag ready for the next day

Practicalities