Parent Tool Kit

What parents can do to help their child succeed in school

A Message from the Council of
Ontario Directors of Education

Message
We are pleased to provide this Tool Kit for Parents and hope
that it will be shared widely with all those who guide and
teach our children. It is important to support the learning
process at home.

There is evidence every day that the student who gets

support and help at home is more successful at school.

In developing this Tool Kit, there was considerable contact

with families and community members who shared the
techniques they have been using to work with children and
youth. These good ideas are included here and will help
parents to engage in the learning of their own children.

It is our hope that you will find useful tips and suggestions
in this Kit and that these ideas will lead to what you will find
useful for your family.

The partnership of parents and teachers is a powerful one.

When it works positively, students feel good about school.
This outcome is so important to our young people.

The Council of Ontario Directors of Education congratulates

all parents for working with Ontario schools to improve the
success of students at every level.

1
Foreword

Foreword
This Parent Tool Kit has been developed for parents. It can
be shared widely with family members and caregivers. It
is intended to support the work parents do as the first and
most important teachers of their children.

The Parent Tool Kit provides ideas for families to use as

they support learning at school and at home. Students
whose learning is supported at home are more successful
in school and stay in school longer. This Parent Tool Kit
is meant to add to the many things families already do to
support learning at home and may include ways families
are already using. Information to support and complement
this Tool Kit is available for schools and school councils
so that they may offer opportunities for parents to further
develop skills in helping at home.

While the Parent Tool Kit includes activities that family

members may want to engage in with their children, it is
not a complete list of good practices to support learning
at home. We hope you will add those activities that you
already use to any here that are new to you. Please use
any ideas in this book to support your children in their
education. When students know learning is valued by their
family, learning is a high priority for students.

3
A Message from the Council of Ontario
Directors of Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Foreword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Be a Coach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Read and Write at Work and Play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Math Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Powerful Presentations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Take a Virtual Trip Together. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Be a Mentor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Whose Homework Is It? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Collecting Student Work — Make a Student Portfolio. . . . . . . . 18

Science Fair Fun. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Be an Advocate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Talking to Teachers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Make Every Impression a Good One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

4
Stay Informed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Reinforcing Classroom Learning at Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

What Parents Can Do To Stay Informed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Contents
Fitting it all in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Organize Your Lifestyle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

The Teenage Years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Beating the One-Word Answers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Raising Responsible Digital Citizens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Using the Internet for Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Sharing Information on the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

5
 Introduction
Why should you be engaged
in your child’s learning?
Your child benefits! You benefit!

• Students get better grades and • You can learn how to help your
test scores. child with homework.
• Students have greater self- • Your knowledge of school
esteem and greater motivation. systems and procedures make it
• Attendance at school is better. easier for you to access needed
supportive programs.
• The number of suspensions
is less. • You can access resources about
parenting strategies.
• Students stay in school longer
and have higher graduation • You will find it easier to create a
rates. healthy home environment.

• The number of cases of

alcoholism and drug addiction
are reduced.

“
Parents play a vital role in the
development and education of their
children and in the success of schools.
They are the most important influence
in a child’s life outside of school. Long
after direct learning from parents in a
child’s early years gives way to formal
education, parents continue to play
a key role in student success through
the attitudes they help to shape and
the direct supports they provide.

Ontario Ministry of Education’s website.

7
“
We would love to help
out at the school but
we both work and
don’t have time. We
feel guilty about not
being involved.

8
 You don’t have to
be a volunteer to
be involved in your
child’s education.

Be a Coach
Research shows
that learning at
home is one of the
most beneficial
ways to help your
child succeed.

TIPS
1. Show an interest.
2. Make every day an
opportunity to learn.
3. Encourage your
child to investigate,
discover and imagine.
4. Work and play
together.
5. Read with your child.
6. Help them find math
everywhere.

9
 Read and Write for pleasure
and fun
Write at Work
and Play As your children get older suggest
that they create and write their own
Everyone benefits with good stories or write a new ending for a
reading skills. Reading includes book they like. Teens can use blogs
more than books. Newspapers, and create their own online book
magazines, package directions, club.
street signs and websites all offer a
chance for children to practise their Encourage them to write letters or
reading skills. emails to their friends and family.
Tell stories with pictures. Use a
When your children are young read camera to document a trip. Use the
with them. Grab their interest and pictures and write the script for a
spark their imagination by letting movie or slide show.
them tell you what is coming next.
Use the newspaper and TV
Telling stories about your life and commercials to make reading and
your family is a good way to make writing meaningful. Talk about
reading fun and start the writing the messages they see. Use the
process. If English is not your first newspaper to make puzzles and
language, reading is still important. story teasers. Cut up the comic
Read in your own language. strips — remake or create a new
Maintain your culture. story. Cut out a story and ask them
to re-create the headline.

“
Use pictures to write.
Let them tell
Public Libraries offer reading times
you what is and book clubs for all ages.

coming next.

10
 Be a Coach
Math Matters Learning at home
gives your child more
Math can be found in everyday opportunities to
activities. Use them to make math
practise what they
meaningful.
learned in school
Cook together to make sense
of fractions. Use a hands-on approach
to learning.
How many labels do you need to
collect to send away for the prize? Hobbies, games, arts and crafts
use math too.
Show them how to budget their
money. Comparison shop at the Model building and making your
grocery store. Which brand or which own clothes are fun and can teach
size container is the best buy? Is the your child about measurement.
name brand clothing or electronic
worth the extra money? Building a bird house reinforces
concepts like proportion. Making
Use sports games to teach puzzles develops critical
math concepts. thinking skills.

Find out how to keep score at the

hockey game. How do they calculate Teens need motivation
batting averages? How far do you to maintain an
run in a soccer game? How many interest in math
calories do you burn running 5K?
Saving for college? Taking out a
loan? How much does it cost to

“
maintain a car?

Know the interest rates on your

Use a hands- credit card? How many hours do
you have to work at an after school
on approach job to buy new clothes?

to learning. 11
Powerful If you have a video camera, film

Presentations them giving their speech or get them

to practise in front of a mirror.

There are many times when your If you have a computer with a
child will be asked to present to the microphone, they can record their
class, to parents and to others. presentation and listen to the
recording.
You can help your child practise oral
speaking skills. Start with reading Presentation software often includes
out loud. Children of all ages can the voice-recording feature. Let
role-play and read with expression them create a recorded slide
and meaning. Children can practise presentation.
the art of story telling.

Challenge your child to think quickly

and be creative using impromptu
speeches. Taking a long trip? Keep a
list of topics to draw from a hat.

Reciting poems, giving speeches,

and making presentations for
independent studies all require
your child to speak in front of an
audience.

“
Children can
practise the
art of story
telling.
12
 Be a Coach
Take a Virtual Ask your child’s teacher if there

Trip Together is a unit of study that you might

use as the focus of your trip. You
will need a computer and Internet
Virtual tours and field trips offer access. If you don’t have access
parents access to sights and cities at home, visit your local public
that may not be otherwise possible libraries for free Internet services.
for families to enjoy. With a little
planning you and your family can Here are a few adventures you
travel to space and around the might like to use.
world. Trips can be designed for
children of all ages.

If your child is studying the Underground

Railroad, follow the route:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad/

Visit Ottawa the capital of Canada:

http://www.ottawa.ca/visitors/

Research Canadian History:

http://www.museevirtuel-virtualmuseum.ca

Study the latest art shows:

http://www.ago.net

Visit a Science Centre Online:

http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
http://www.sciencenorth.ca/

If you have never been in space,

visit this interactive experience:
http://www.spacewander.com

Sample virtual field trips:

http://www.theteachersguide.com/virtualtours.html

13
“
I really want to help
but I don’t understand
what the teacher
expects. When I went
to school we didn’t do
it like that.

14
 You don’t need to
know how to do the
homework to help.

Be a Mentor
Talk to your child’s
teacher.

When teachers
and parents are
on the same page
students do better
in school.

TIPS
1. Praise successes.
2. Don’t dwell on
mistakes.
3. Give them the
confidence to seek
help from their
teacher.
4. Help them track their
progress.
5. Use a problem solving
model to work on
assignments and
projects.
15
 Whose How can parents help
their child become a
Homework self-directed learner?
Is It?
Parents can help their child
become a self-directed learner
Parents often say: by encouraging their child to use
a problem solving approach to
“ One of the hardest things homework. Here is an example that
I have found when describes how a parent can use the
helping my child is that problem solving approach.
I don’t understand the
homework myself.” Problem solving scenario:

Frequently, parents are under the Parent: What are you supposed to do?
impression that they should be able
to do the homework. They believe Student: I’m supposed to make a
that they should be reading the presentation about how a material I
textbook and trying to teach their can find at home is manufactured.
child how to solve a problem or
complete the homework. Although Parent: OK. Let’s both think of some…
understandable and well intentioned, Which ones might you choose?
using this approach can create
confusion and frustration for both Student: Glass and brick…
parents and children.
Parent: And paint and dry wall, wire,
What many people do not know is pipe… Can you think of any more?
that one of the key things parents
can do to help their children succeed Student: metal
is to help them take responsibility
for their own learning. All students, Parent: Great list we’ve got… now
elementary and secondary, can which one do you think you want
benefit from learning how to become to use?
a self-directed learner.

16
 Be a Mentor
Student: Brick! More problem-
solving type questions
Parent: Well, why don’t you check and statements that
out a few websites about how brick is
you can use
made and see if you can make a good
presentation about it? • Let’s talk about your
schoolwork.
Student: I can’t find much out about
• What were you asked to do?
brick. Do you think I should change?
• Can you show me how you got
Parent: Well, why don’t you check your answer?
out how another couple on the list we • Have you seen how someone
made and decide which one you’d like else did it?
to present?
• Try looking at your problem
While this may look like a simple again.
conversation, if you look at it closely • If you can’t find a solution, let’s
you may see the parent used ask for help from your teacher.
some purposeful questions. These When will you be able to ask
questions form a model or approach for more help?
to solving problems and can be
summarized in these 4 steps.

1. Define the problem and

describe the desired result.
2. Brainstorm ideas, and
decide which idea to use.
3. Make a plan.
4. Try it out.

Teachers use this same approach

in the classroom. If you do the
same thing, your child will become
accustomed to using the model in all
of his/her schoolwork.
17
Collecting Where do I store them?
Student Work — Storage containers can be as simple
Make a Student as large sized envelopes in a box, file

Portfolio folder or file boxes. Create special

labels for writing examples, reading
exercises, special projects. If you
Keeping track of student work is a
good way to help your child build
confidence. Portfolios are collections
of student work that show student
progress and achievements in one or
more subject areas.

Students have a chance to

review and reflect on their work.
Portfolios help students see their
growth and proficiency over time. have a camera, take pictures of
Students are able to build a sense models or science projects, events
of responsibility for their learning. and sporting activities. Having a
Parents have the opportunity to special place to keep student work
watch their child progress. emphasizes the importance of good
efforts.

What work should

we collect? Tech Tip

Examples of writing, science and Create a free Google web site and
math projects, reading responses, store digital examples online.
artwork and student favourites are

“
suitable choices.

How often should we

collect samples? Portfolios
You can collect samples throughout help students
the year or at the end of a unit of
study.
see their
growth over
time.
18
 Be a Mentor
Science Fair What can a parent do
to help?
Fun
1. Work together to
Investigate and problem solve in real brainstorm ideas.
life situations. 2. Help make a shopping list and
help search for supplies.
What is a science 3. Ask the teacher for suggestions.
fair project? 4. Help plan a workflow and
timeline to meet deadlines.
Science fair projects create 5. Listen to their oral presentations.
wonderful opportunities for
students to explore, use their 6. Help transport the finished
imagination, test and validate their project to school.
ideas. Students are able to connect
learning in the classroom to learning What judges look for
at home and in the community. They
learn how to organize, manage their Along with satisfying the criteria set
time and practise their oral by the teachers, judges look for the
speaking skills. student’s enthusiasm, curiosity and
engagement in the project.

What is the parent role? Remind your child to smile and

thank the judges at the end of the
The parent role is to be a coach interview. A neat appearance makes
and mentor. You will need to find a a good impression and helps your
balance between helping and not child be confident.
helping. Your child’s teacher will
set the criteria for the project. This
is a good time to have an informal
discussion about what is being
taught.

19
“
We are not sure
how best to talk to
the teachers. We
worry that they
won’t understand
our child.

20
 You will worry
less, if you are
informed and

Be an Advocate
understand how
the school works.

Start talking to
the teacher early
in the year.

You can help your

children learn how
to face challenges
by setting the
example.

TIPS
1. Communicating on
behalf of your child
helps teachers get a
bigger picture of your
child’s strengths and
weaknesses.
2. Build a good working
relationship with the
school and your child’s
teachers.
3. Teachers like to
know they have your
support.
21
Talking to will help make the conversation

Teachers productive. Arrange another

meeting or follow up phone call, if
you need more time.
Don’t wait until the middle of a
term to talk to your child’s teacher. Talk to your child before the
You have a key role in helping the conference. Ask them what they
teacher know when your child would like you to ask the teacher or
is struggling. Have your child tell the teacher about them.
demonstrate what she or he has
learned. Encourage your child to There are many student needs
ask for help. They need to know that extend beyond the regular
what questions to ask and how to classroom. Students with
ask them. exceptionalities, health and
behaviour problems can find
It will depend on the age of additional help by seeking the
your child who actually asks the assistance of other service
questions. Statements like the providers.
following help guide the teacher on
how to reinforce learning. School Boards have Special
Education Advisory Committees
“ I tried to show my parent how to made up of representatives of
do it and I forgot what you said.” organizations who help families with
students with special needs. Your
Listen to your child’s concerns but school can provide the names and
seek clarification without criticizing. organizations that will be able to
Build a strong working relationship help you.
with your child’s teachers. Students
do better in school when parents
and teachers are on the same page.

Parents are able to discuss their

child’s progress at a parent-teacher
conference. A list of your questions

22
 Be an Advocate
Make Every Use the dinner table at home or at

Impression a a restaurant to teach patience, self-

control and appreciation for others’
Good One work and help.

How your child interacts with other Teach them about respecting
students and adults has an impact other people’s personal space and
on their learning. Children who are property. Reward them with praise
respectful and considerate make when they stand quietly in a store,
good team members. Group work refrain from touching merchandise
becomes easier when children know and avoid bumping into others.
how to get along with each other.
Taking turns and praising others are Secondary school students find it
learned habits. just as hard to act appropriately.
They may be challenged by peer

“
pressure and may rebel against
authority and adult standards. A
consistent non-confrontational

Children with approach will help your adolescent

grow into a responsible adult.
good self- Other people’s admiration of their
esteem learn behaviour helps children feel good
about themselves. Children with
better. good self-esteem learn better.

Good manners come with practice.

When greeting friends or new

acquaintances show your child what
to do. Say please and thank you
at the right time. Open doors for
others. Let others go first and give
up a seat on the bus to someone
older or with a disability.
23
“
We find it hard
to know what is
going on at school.

24
Checking up on
homework and
being aware of
the homework are

Stay Informed
good ways to keep
up on your child’s
progress. TIPS
Get past the 1. Talk to your child’s
“nothing” answers. teachers by agenda
Ask them specific book, phone, face to
questions about face and email.
something they
learned. 2. Check for information
on the school and the
teacher’s website.
3. Use an inbox and
outbox for notes to
and from school.
4. Hang a wall size
planning calendar
to remember
assignments, due
dates and school
events.
5. Seek help from
families in your
community who can
translate. Network
with other parents.

25
Reinforce What Parents
Classroom Can Do To Stay
Learning at Informed
Home
School and
When your child is studying classroom events
Canadian Explorers watch a movie
about Canadian Explorers. If there Try setting up an “in and out”
is a TV show about Canadian basket for your child’s agenda
Explorers, watch it together. book, newsletters, notes home and
lunch orders. There may be some
Ask your child to pick out key dates days when your paths do not cross.
in their unit of studies and challenge For older students try a shared
them to find a match on the “Day Google calendar. A few minutes of
in History” feature of the History organizing every day will keep you
Channel. “Jacques Cartier enters up to date and help your child be
the St. Lawrence on June 9, 1543” responsible for managing
his/her time.
Do a web search on “Canadian
Explorers” to find good examples. If your child’s teacher has a website,
check regularly for information. If
Put the search terms in “quotes” for it is a blog, subscribe to it. Using
more accurate and fewer results. Twitter? Encourage your teacher to
tweet out homework assignments to
Connect with the teacher for a your Twitter account or text to your
heads up on the units of study and mobile. Sign up for the School and
suggested enrichment activities that the School Board e-newsletter.
you can do at home.

26
 Stay Informed
Beyond the school The “abc 123 Reach Every Student”
section of the Ontario Ministry of
Before you start looking for Education website has extensive
additional resources beyond the links and information to help you
school talk to your child’s teachers, help your child succeed.
school librarian and principal first.
They will be able to direct you to http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/
materials best suited to your child. abc123/eng/

Parents can find numerous activities

Visit your for practice in reading, writing
public library and math, many translated into
several different languages. A series
The librarian is there to help you and of video podcasts for parents of
your child find information. Some elementary students is posted on
participating public and school the website. Subjects like Sorting,
libraries offer “askON” an online Matching and Making Patterns,
resources bank and chat support by Getting Organized, Art Experiences
a librarian. Great for “due next day” and Reading at Bedtime are
projects. featured.

A comprehensive link list directs you

Visit the to websites which support many of
Ontario Ministry of the activities in this Tool Kit. Please
Education website see the Resources section on page
38 for more details.
The Ontario Ministry of Education
website provides links to many
services: homework help hotlines,
tutoring online, Special Education
supports, Student Success and
distance learning.

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca

27
“
Our children
are involved in
extracurricular
activities and
there isn’t a
spare minute.

28
Taking a few
minutes to
organize your

Fitting it all in
family will save
time and reduce
stress.

Students who
arrive at school
calm and ready to
learn will do better
in school.

Let them know

learning is TIPS
important.
1. Post pictures of your
child getting ready for
school on the fridge
to help them set up a
routine.
2. Use travel time to talk
about school.
3. Schedule a time for
schoolwork.
4. Create a school space
at home.
5. Bike, hike and keep fit
together.

29
 Organize Your and self-confidence. Establishing

Lifestyle. consistent rules and expectations

for your family at home and at
school also reduces stress and helps
Eat Well and the classroom teacher maintain a
Stay Active. good learning environment.

Pack lunches and backpacks the

Extracurricular activities are great night before to reduce the time to
for keeping children healthy and well get ready.
balanced. Families and friends enjoy
times together and build a strong
sense of community while cheering
for their child’s team. There is a
large time commitment to organized
sports. Consider hiking, biking or
swimming together as ways to stay
fit and save time for the family.

With busy lives it helps to set up

routines for getting ready for school,
eating meals, doing chores and Get everyone involved in preparing
homework. Teaching your child to snacks and planning meals. Fresh
be responsible for simple tasks can fruit and vegetables sliced and ready
encourage independent thinking to go make it easy for even small
children to pack their lunch box.
High fibre cereals like quick-cooking

“
oatmeal take longer to digest than
Help them sugar cereals keeping your child’s
energy high for an active brain.
develop their
own inner
clock.
30
 Fitting it all in
Take pictures of your child getting important. Help prevent homework
ready for school and post them overload, break assignments
on the fridge as a reminder of the and studying into manageable
steps needed to get ready on time. pieces. Studying for tests will be
Help them develop their own inner less stressful if your child does
clock. Use a large day planner something every day. If there is
on the Fridge. Mark down school no homework, then make it quiet
happenings, homework assignments reading time. Some downtime
and tests. Share a calendar on the is good.
family computer or online.

Create a school
space at home

A special box with school supplies

and a quiet time at the kitchen table
or a desk set up just for studying
supports the idea that school is

“ Every day talk about

something you learned
that was exciting. Make
learning fun!
31
“
I am worried
about them doing
schoolwork online.
My teenager won’t
talk to me. How am I
supposed to help?

32
 The Teenage Years
Be assertive, but
not intrusive.

Let your child start

the conversations
about school.

Ask your child to

be your technology
teacher.

TIPS
1. Use open-ended
questions.
2. Take an interest in
what they are learning
online.
3. Help give them
confidence to
overcome barriers.
4. Support them if
they make mistakes.
Wrong answers lead
to right answers.

33
 Beating the questions “what is it like studying

One-Word chemistry?”, “What one good

question did you ask today” or “Tell
Answers me one good thing that you learned
today”. Be receptive to any and all
Secondary school can be one of the conversations.
most challenging times for students.
The need for independence, the Most teenagers say that they don’t
influence of peers and the media want their parents to be involved
add to the pressure of more complex thinking that their peers will criticize
subject material and graduation your presence. There are many
expectations. opportunities to still support your
child and monitor his/her progress.

“
Remember to use the school’s
Ask website to check on activities and
events. Communicate early and
open-ended often with your child’s teachers by
phone or email, if you can’t make
questions. the curriculum night. If you don’t
have time to volunteer, try to attend
workshops or guest speaker events.
You will connect with other parents
Teenagers still need structure, and you will find out you are
routine and supervision. A good not alone.
way to reduce the one-word answer
to “what did you do today” is to let
your child start the conversation.
Asking them “how was your day?”
may require them to revisit things
that did not go well. Giving them
the space to reflect on their day will
allow them to regroup. Your teen will
grow to trust you as a mentor and
guide in their lives. Ask open-ended

34
 The Teenage Years
Raising their social network but respect

Responsible your teens’ personal lives without

becoming a part of them.
Digital
Citizens Ask them to show you how to
download music and video on
their mp3 player. Make sure they
A global society has changed how understand the implications of
students find and use information. copyright. Create a slide show
Collaborating online and sharing together and post it online. Watch
information effectively is a skill online video together.
that needs to be nurtured. Seek out
information from teachers about Create a Family blog. Read the
Internet safety and cyberbullying. newspaper together online and
Learn the rules of the digital post and respond to comments
highway together. together. Review the terms of use
and proper etiquette when you write
Develop rules and expectations online. Be sure they understand the
together about working on the need for respect, tolerance and an
Internet. A friend in an online social appreciation for other’s ideas.
network must be a friend in real life.
Keep the family computer in a room Enjoy the opportunities to grow and
near you. Turn off mobile devices appreciate the resources available
before going to sleep. on the Internet.

Balance a child’s need for

independence with parents’ need
for reassurance. Be a contact in

“
Develop rules and
expectations together about
working on the Internet. 35
Using the Have your child use the “How, Who,

Internet for What, Where, When and Why”

questions to test the accuracy of the
Research information posted on a website.

How can you be sure that the • How did you get to the website?
information you have found online Did you use a search engine or
is credible or relevant? Websites personal recommendation?
are not like books. There is no code • Who wrote the information? Can
to use to verify the accuracy of the you identify the author?
information. Students often use
• What are your findings? Is the
Wikipedia (encyclopedia created by
information relevant?
its users) as their information source
without confirming if the information • Where is the owner of the
is correct. website located?
• When was the website created?
• Why are you researching this
topic?

“
Websites
are not
like books.
36
 The Teenage Years
Sharing Make sure that
they know!
Information on
the Internet — Photos posted online only need

Protect Their a simple right click to save an

image to be stored on anyone’s
Privacy computer. Pictures can be posted
on the Internet without your
Research shows a large number permission. Shared photos on
of students have visible profiles mobile phones can be traced. Ask
that identify personal information them to think of a future boss and
such as their e-mail address, phone their grandparents when they are
number, home address or Instant tempted to post highlights of a
Messaging contact. When students party.
register for online gaming sites,
social networking or sites that offer Protect their privacy. Register
incentives and prizes they reveal together for a program, website or
who they are, where they live and online purchase. Read the terms of
their birth date. agreement to determine how they
will use your private information.
What most people do not know Review their comments and
is that companies are using this photos before they post them
information to develop a close online.
relationship with a child for the
purpose of influencing consumer Seek help from teachers for more
behavior. ideas about privacy and student
use of the information.

37
Help on the Net

Ontario Ministry of Education

http://gov.edu.on.ca
You can find information about:

• What your child should learn each year

• The location of parent and family literacy centres
• Tips to help your child develop math, reading and writing skills
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/abc123
• Homework help hotlines
http://homeworkhelp.ilc.org
• Tutoring online at the Independent Learning Centre
http://www.ilc.org
• Special Education Support
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/speced.html
• Secondary Student Success program
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/studentsuccess/index.html

TVOParents

http://www.tvo.org/cfmx/tvoorg/tvoparents
TVO parents is an online resource for parents of preschool and school aged
children and features a live weekly interactive parenting event.

38
 Resources
OERB Ontario Education Resource Bank

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/elearning/bank.html
Ontario Education Resource Bank is an online library of activities and
resource materials for students of all grades. Students can participate
in online exercises and activities that they can do at home to reinforce
learning. Parents can assist their children using the Ontario Education
Resource Bank by using their student’s account. Please ask your school for
the login information, if your child has not already brought it home.

Discovery Education Science Fair Central

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/
Parent-Resources.html
Discovery Education has a large number of educational resources. A
section of their website concentrates on Science Fair Tips and Tricks such
as “presentation do’s and don’ts; student checklist; shopping list and how
to deliver an oral presentation”. Parents and students can find advice from
“how help their child come up with an idea for the project” to “setting a
timeline”.

Creating E-Portfolios

http://middleschoolblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/
eportfolio-talk-with-grade-9-learners.html
Especially good for secondary school students. This short video
outlines the use of an e-portfolio and how to create one.
39
Digital Story Telling

http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/index.html
This website explains the use of digital storytelling and how a variety
of images, text, video and more can be used to create digital stories.
You will find examples, definitions and explanatory videos.

Helpful tools for creating digital stories:

Windows Movie Maker, Photostory and iMovie (Mac users) can be

used to create video.

Voice Thread http://voicethread.com for storage and hosting of slides,

images and videos with the capability of leaving a text, voice or video
comment. Aviary http://aviary.com is a free suite of online creation tools.

Public Speaking

http://publicspeakingskills.org/public_speaking_for_kids.php
Tips on public speaking for kids. This site gives suggestions for how
to practise their skills for speaking in public and overcome the fear of
public speaking.

Internet Safety

http://www.media-awareness.ca
In this website you will find resources and support for everyone interested
in media literacy and digital literacy for young people. “Be Web Aware”
covers subjects such as homework online, internet safety, social networking
(Facebook), instant messaging and cell phone usage.

40
 Resources
Eat Well and Stay Active

https://www.eatrightontario.ca
The EatRight Ontario website is set up to help you improve your health
and quality of life through healthy eating. This service provides easy-to-
use nutrition information to help you make healthier food choices. You
can contact a dietician directly by email or toll free phone call.

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/healthyschools/links.html
Healthy schools offers tips and tools for parents to help keep your child
healthy and active.

Online Learning

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/elearning/courses.html
School Boards across Ontario offer a variety of online learning
courses for secondary students. Students can find course offerings for
the school year. The delivery of online learning includes a wide range
of activities such as chat, threaded discussion, blogs, whiteboards,
quizzes, and student tracking. Consult with your school board for
access to online learning courses and requirements.

Kids Help Phone

http://kidshelpphone.ca
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s leading youth counselling service.
Available anytime of the day or night by phone and by web, it is the
go-to resource for kids in Canada from years five to 20 when they
need help or trustworthy information. Designed for both teens and
younger children the activities cover a wide range of topics. Moderated
discussion forums let students publish their thoughts on the web.

The resources listed in this document are not specifically endorsed by the Council of
Ontario Directors of Education. The resources are merely intended to make parents
aware of their existence. 41
Acknowledgements

Parents and parent groups assisted in the development of

these materials. Shaping these materials through consultation
with parents helped with both content and format. School
Boards contributed ideas for parent engagement in use in their
jurisdiction. We thank them for their assistance.

Avon Maitland District School Board

Bluewater District School Board
Conseil des École Publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario
Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud
Conseil scolaire de district catholique du Centre-Est de l’Ontario
Conseil scolaire de district catholique du Nouvel-Ontario
Conseil scolaire de district des écoles catholiques du Sud-Ouest
Conseil scolaire de district du Centre Sud-Ouest
District School Board of Niagara
Halton Catholic District School Board
Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
Lakehead District School Board
Lambton-Kent District School Board
Near North District School Board
Niagara Catholic District School Board
Peel District School Board
Rainbow District School Board
Upper Canada District School Board
Toronto District School Board
Toronto Catholic District School Board
York Region District School Board

We also wish to thank those parents and staff beyond Ontario

who shared their experiences and expertise in parent engagement
with us during the development of these materials.
42
Notes
Notes
 Parent Engagement is
Important to Student Success.

These materials have been developed by the

Council of Ontario Directors of Education and
funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education.

46