Marshall Lane Elementary School

Message from the Principal

From the Principal

During our Back to School Night presentations, our teachers shared our district Strategic Plan “Profile of a Graduate Competencies”. Every day at school, we are working hard to instill these traits in your children. Teachers are planning curriculum and providing opportunities to develop these life skills in our students.

The first of the five competencies is Self-Directed. We want to encourage responsibility, resiliency, and effort in the children whose education is entrusted to us. We want them to have a growth mindset, a sense of agency, and high self esteem.

How can you help at home to develop this very important and relevant skill in your students? Here is a list of chores that children at various elementary school ages should be able to perform. Check it out and reflect on how many of these tasks your child/ren do on a regular basis.

Chores for children ages 2 to 3

    * Put toys away.

    * Fill pet's food dish.

    * Put clothes in hamper.

    * Wipe up spills.

    * Dust.

    * Pile books and magazines.

Chores for children ages 4 to 5--Any of the above chores, plus:

    * Make own bed.

    * Empty wastebaskets.

    * Bring in mail or newspaper.

    * Clear table.

    * Pull weeds.

    * Use hand-held vacuum to pick up crumbs.

    * Water flowers.

    * Unload utensils from dishwasher.

    * Wash plastic dishes at sink.

    * Fix bowl of cereal

Chores for children ages 6 to 7--Any of the above chores, plus:

    * Sort laundry.

    * Sweep floors.

    * Set and clear table.

    * Help make and pack lunch.

    * Weed and rake leaves.

    * Keep bedroom tidy.

    * Pour own drinks.

    * Answer telephone.

Chores for children ages 8 to 9--Any of the above chores, plus:

    * Load dishwasher.

    * Put away groceries.

    * Vacuum.

    * Help make dinner.

    * Make own snacks.

    * Wash table after meals.

    * Put away own laundry.

    * Sew buttons.

    * Make own breakfast.

    * Peel vegetables.

    * Cook simple foods, such as toast.

    * Mop floor.

    * Take pet for a walk.

Chores for children ages 10 and older--Any of the above chores, plus:

    * Unload dishwasher.

    * Fold laundry.

    * Clean bathroom.

    * Wash windows.

    * Wash car.

    * Cook simple meal with supervision.

    * Iron clothes.

    * Do laundry.

    * Baby-sit younger siblings (with adult at home).

    * Mow lawn.

    * Clean kitchen.

    * Clean oven.

    * Change bed.

    * Make cookies or cake from a mix.

Make it a goal to determine how many of these tasks that your child/ren are able to do already and commit to adding to their repertoire. It will benefit your entire family!