Helpful Hints

Helpful Hints For First Grade Parents!
  1. What can I do at home to make my child a strong reader?
  2. How can I assist my child in becoming a good speller?
  3. What can I do to make math fun?
  4. How much sleep does my child need?
  5. How much time should my child spend on homework a night?
  6. What can I do for my child's birthday during the school year?
  7. Getting home from school safe!



What can I do at home to make my child a strong reader?

Reading to and with children will strengthen their reading skills and will 
model correct reading. Have students follow along with their pointer finger 
as you read. Make sure to read everyday for 30 minutes with your child! 
Pratice makes perfect!
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How can I assist my child in becoming a good speller?

It is essential to practice spelling words at home with children. Say the 
word and have the child write the word down. Using flash cards is also a 
wonderful way to reinforce spelling words. Study spelling words each night!
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What can I do to make math fun?

There are many different types of activities you can do as a family to make 
math fun. Have students add using pasta or subtract using marshmallows. 
Grouping and making pattern with M&Ms is always a blast. Ask your child to 
count the coins in your handbag or ask what time it is throughout the day!
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How much sleep does my child need?

(Information from the Nemours Foundation)

School-Age Children and Preteens
Kids ages 6 to 9 need about 10 hours of sleep a night. Bedtime difficulties 
can arise at this age from a child's need for private time with parents, 
without siblings around. Try to make a little private time just before 
bedtime and use it to share confidences and have small discussions, which 
will also prepare your child for sleep.

Children ages 10 to 12 need a little over 9 hours of shuteye a night. But 
it's up to parents to judge the exact amount of rest their children need and 
see that they're in bed in time for sufficient sleep.

Lack of sleep for kids can cause irritable or hyper types of behavior and 
can 
also make a condition like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 
worse.
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How much time should my child spend on homework a night?

An average first grade student should be spending 30 minutes doing 
homework.  This would include writing, studying, and reading.  It is very 
important that you don't think of only written work as homework!  Every 
night the children have oral vocabulary activities, oral math equations, and 
oral reading.  Don't forget to STUDY spelling words everynight.
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What can I do for my child's birthday during the school year?

Birthdays are special occasions for young children.  You may send in a 
simple treat to share with our class. Please do not send in party 
invitations to school unless the whole class is invited.  If your child has 
been invited to a party and cannot attend, do not send the gift to school.
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Getting home from school safe!

Please make sure that your child knows how they are to go home each day.  
The children are easily upset at the end of the day if they are unsure of 
what to do.  Suggestion:Buy two tags for your child's schoolbag-(BUS 
RIDER,CAR RIDER).  In the morning place the correct tag on their schoolbag. 
Dismissal made easy!
If there is a change in the way your child goes home, please send a note to 
inform the teacher!
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