How I Manage My Kids’ School Work (Behind the Scenes)

Every Monday, I log into each of my kids’ school accounts (as them) and check their teachers’ agendas for the week. The teachers are technically required to update each class period. In reality? That’s… optimistic.

But Mondays usually give me something, even if it’s incomplete. And I can typically see what tests or quizzes might be coming up, as well as what assignments are due this week.

Then I dig into their modules. Because when teachers aren’t updating agendas, the assignments are usually hiding there.

Inside modules, I can see:

• What’s missing

• What was turned in late

• What hasn’t been graded yet

• And how their overall grades are looking

There are often assignments with no submission and no grade — the black hole category. Those are the ones I follow up on. Sometimes it’s something the teacher didn't assign or grade. Sometimes my kid just didn't do it. Sometimes it is posted but the due date is wrong and they haven't gotten to it.

My Favorite Hack: Practice Tests

One of my favorite school uses for ChatGPT this year has been creating practice tests and study guides.

I’ll upload:

• Class notes

• Study guides

• Examples of past tests

• Vocabulary lists

The more context I give it, the better the practice test becomes.

I mix up the formats:

• Multiple choice

• Matching

• Short answer

• “Explain this concept”

It forces them to practice retrieving information in different ways instead of just rereading notes and hoping for the best. I also do a longer study guide, and a consolidated one-pager. School is literally the only reason we have a printer. It's my secret weapon, for real.

The Giant Whiteboard System

Once I have everything happening that week, I write it all out on a giant whiteboard at the top of our steps. (photo above) Each kid gets a color (I only do this for my middle and high schoolers). It includes everything - tests, sports, appointments, etc.

It’s slightly out of the way — but also completely in their way.

They can’t pretend they didn’t know. It’s visible every single day.

This one step alone has eliminated 80% of our “I didn't know about that” moments.

Not all of them. But most.

The Frustrating Part

There are still surprises. Especially with certain teachers who are consistently terrible at updating agendas. I try and give teachers grace because they have a lot of expectations on them too, but I get extra mama bear over my 504/IEP babies who need the step-by-step support and I don't feel like the teacher is a good partner with me too.

When that happens, I’m in the dark unless my kids tell me. And we all know how reliable that system can be.

The Bigger Goal

I don’t want to do this forever. My hope is that this level of scaffolding drops next year.

Especially with my high schooler. She needs to learn how to prioritize her time, manage deadlines, and see the bigger picture. She’s going to be out in the real world in just a couple of years.

My days are numbered.

Right now, I’m modeling the system. Next year, I hope she’ll run it with me. Eventually, she runs it alone. That’s the goal. Not perfection. Not zero surprises.

Just fewer fires… and more independence.

Here's an example of how I use ChatGPT. This was a last minute test prep, so I just did a study guide using the information the teacher provided.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/a8c36a_93535321927b44989ce96be9151160c6/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Our school division uses Canvas (which as a mobile app you can download too) and Parent/StudentVue for grades. These tips should work regardless of the products, modifying for specific differences.