Navigating Parents Through Elementary School, by Janet Armstrong
An interview with Janet Armstrong about her book, “Navigating Parents Through Elementary School.”
Table of Contents
Part 1 – Getting started
Foreword
Glossary of terms
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8
Section 9
Why would parents want to read this book?
How do parents effect change?
School readiness skills: Getting your child ready for school
School supplies
Who is in a public elementary school?
Visitors in the school
Enrolling your child into public elementary school
Immunizations
Class size
School age requirements
Part 2 – Parent and School Expectations
Section 10
Section 11
Section 12
Section 13
Section 14
Section 15
Section 16
Section 17
Section 18
Section 19
Section 20
School Attendance
The physical environment of public schools
School cleanliness
Everyday interruptions to instruction
The daily schedule in an elementary class
Classroom spacing
Hazards in School
Security and safety in school
Safety drills
Children’s safety in school Bullying
Child abuse
Corporal punishment
Your child and mental health
School is a drug-free zone
Part 3 – Public Elementary School Explained
Section 21
Section 22
Section 23
Section 24
Section 25
Section 26
Section 27
Section 28
Section 29
Section 30
Assemblies
Parent-teacher communication
Back to School Night
Questions you might want to ask at Back-to-School Night
Parent-teacher conferences
What do these teacher comments mean?
Questions parents might ask teachers during a conference
Student-led conferences
Report cards versus progress reports
The Student Council
Parent and Principal communication
The P.T.A. The Parent Teacher Association
The Superintendent’s job
What is the Board of Education?
Questions to ask a board of education member or a superintendent candidate
Part 4 – Curriculum, Differentiation, Assessments, Special Education, and Gifted Education
Section 31
Section 32
Section 33
Section 34
Section 35
Section 36
Section 37
Section 38
Section 39
Section 40
Common core state standards
English language arts common core state standards
Math common core state standards
Science and Social Studies
Art, Music, and Physical Education
Media and Technology
Differentiation
Grouping by age
Ability grouping
Guided reading
Tracking
Learning styles and Multiple Intelligences
4MAT
Interests
Random grouping
Assessments – including big stakes testing
Special Education
Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.)
Instructional strategies and accommodations list for teachers
504-Education Plan
Gifted and Talented Programs
Part 5 – Are Elementary Schools Equitable?
Section 41
Section 42
Section 43
Section 44
Section 45
Section 46
Section 47
Section 48
Section 49
Section 50
Section 51
Section 52
Acknowledgments
Sources and Notes
Equity among different types of elementary schools
School funding
The Department of Education
Public elementary school or private elementary school?
Private School
Public School
Are private schools better than public schools?
Charter Schools
Magnet Schools
Virtual Schools
Effects of Covid 19
Parents as their child’s advocate
At home
In your child’s school
In your child’s school district and community
At your state level
At the national level