All Saints’ Day holidays : homework and good health

Holidays in november:: it’s a time for revision and rest. It’s time to evaluate the start of the school year in September and check on the health of our heroes.

All Saints’ Day holidays: at the end of the first term, it’s time to take stock!

In France, the beginning of the school year is devoted to reviewing the basics of the previous year. The teacher takes charge of the class, tests the group and goes back over the fundamental concepts that must now be acquired. The CM2 pupils have just reviewed what they need to learn from CM1, etc. In other words, this is a fundamental phase for the rest of the school year.

All Saints’ vacation: it’s a time for revision and rest. It’s time to evaluate the start of the school year in September, and check on the health of our heroes.

At the end of the first term, it’s time to take stock!

In France, the beginning of the school year is devoted to reviewing the basics of the previous level. The teacher takes charge of the class, tests the group and goes back over the fundamental notions that must now be acquired. CM2 pupils have just reviewed what they need to acquire from CM1, etc. In other words, this is a fundamental phase for the rest of the school year.

The All Saints’ vacation gives us the opportunity to take stock – gently – with our child. Above all, no pressure! The aim is to ensure that these skills and knowledge are well in place. If you’re going away for a few days, just photocopy the notebooks (not yet very full), reread the first history lessons [ visit a castle, a church (the Middle Ages oblige!), a craftsman’s workshop. If it’s on the syllabus: a little practicality goes a long way… It’s an opportunity to supplement class books with examples from the field ].

A little detour into maths to make sure that the addition and multiplication tables are being acquired or integrated for the older children.

Like the table of 9, for example. No forcing. It’s all about the “fundamental base of knowledge”, as they say in the Ministry’s circulars.

Here you go!Here’s a good link to the Khan Academy. Not for everything, of course!But it will give you a good idea of the program by level.And for those of you who travel a long way, a couple of downloads and a printout of a few sheets may be all you need to revise with your family!

Good health, well-being and rest!

It’s the start of colder, darker days, with a time change. When the vacations are over, we’ll be heading into winter. Children need to be prepared for this school marathon.

I know few of you are convinced of this by now, but close the screens, or at least don’t leave children alone for too long in front of their phone, TV or computer (or tablet).

You need to teach them this precautionary measure: every 10/15 minutes, children need to look up from the screen and into the distance.Because, did you know?- these new generations are becoming artificially myopic through too much static focus on their screens!It’s also very important for sleep: that pesky “blue light” from screens prevents children from falling asleep.With their optic nerves overexcited, they can’t properly trigger the sleep phase.Not to mention those who keep their cell phone under their pillow to answer text messages at night or watch anything (sometimes porn) while you’re asleep!How do you expect them not to be restless and “on batteries” the next day?

Even better: combine “groundhog training” under the comforter with physical exercise

keep it simple! Just as we can do or revise homework without investing in expensive marketed notebooks, when I say “physical exercise”, I mean simply moving. We’re talking about walking, running, kicking a ball around, taking a trip to the pool or skating rink… discovering a vegetable garden… having (for little city dwellers) a first experience of a long walk in the for^t: the forest of tales, it exists in vari!!!! It’ll recharge your batteries too… and it’s free!

For kids still sitting in class, collecting leaves, chestnuts or playing with sticks in the forest feels really good! You can also go shell-hunting on the beach, discover new public gardens or go cycling… Inexpensive, not necessarily intrusive and very easy to share! With a crêpe, hot chocolate and pastries (on a small budget), it’s a real treat!

This good bodily fatigue relaxes, frees energies and resynchronizes children. Choosing to be outside, while respecting the right gestures (washing your hands, for example), gives new meaning to everyday life! Learning is much easier when you’ve relaxed your body! Have a great vacation!