These are a few strategies to help reinforce what we are learning at school.

1. Reading Comprehension
2. Decoding, Fluency, and Sight Word Recognition
3. Spelling: fun ways to study
4. Writing
5. Math
6. Successful Homework Strategies

Reading Comprehension

-Read to your child and talk about the books or stories. Talking about what 
you read is a good way to help children develop language and thinking 
skills. You won't need to plan the talk, discuss every story, or expect an 
answer.  Here are some ways to talk about stories:
     1). While reading, pause occasionally to think aloud about a story. You 
can say: "I wonder what's going to happen next" Or ask a question: "Do you 
know what a palace is?" Or point out: "Look where the little mouse is now." 
     2). Answer your child's questions, and if you think he/she doesn't 
understand something, stop and ask. Don't worry if you break into the flow 
of a story to make something clear. But keep the story flowing as smooth as 
possible. 
     3).  Help your child relate the story to things he knows or understands 
by saying things such as "this reminds me of the time when we..." or "this 
character is a lot like your friend ___."
     4).  Skim the story or book ahead of time and ask him/her what's going 
to happen next  "What do you think this story is about?" or "How do you 
think this story will turn out?" 
-Use highlighting tape or post-it notes in a book to identify key points to 
remember and review. 
-Books on tape are a way for your child to "read" material above his/her 
skill level. Encourage him to read the book along with the tape. Ask 
questions to check for understanding.

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Decoding, Fluency, and Sight Word Recognition

-Take turns reading aloud. You read a paragraph and have your child read the 
next one or you read half the page and your child reads the other half. As 
your child becomes more at ease with reading aloud, take turns reading a 
full page. Keep in mind that your child may be focusing more on how to read 
the words than what they mean, and your reading helps to keep the story 
alive. If your child has trouble reading words, you can help him or her in 
several ways:
	1.  Ask him to skip over the word, read the rest of the 
sentence, and then say what would make sense in the story for the missing 
word.
	2.  Guide him to use what he knows about letter sounds.
	3.  Supply the correct word. 
-Improve vocabulary by learning three new words a week. Post the words on 
the refrigerator and talk about them each day. 
-When riding in the car, point out all the words and letters that you pass 
every day. Make it a game to name the letters in a street sign or car 
license plate

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Spelling: fun ways to study

-Smooth shaving cream on the surface of the bathtub or on a sidewalk.  Use 
index finger to write spelling words in the shaving cream.  
-Use wiki stix (found in the craft section of most stores) to form spelling 
words.
-Practice spelling words on a dry erase or chalk board.
-Go to my "links" page for a website with spelling games.

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Writing

-If your child struggles to generate ideas, write a story by letting 
him/her  dictate a story to you. It could include descriptions of your 
outings and activities, along with mementos such as fall leaves and flowers, 
birthday cards, and photographs.
 -Use a chalkboard or a dry erase board as an exciting way to involve 
children in writing with a purpose. 
-Encourage beginning and developing writers to keep journals and write 
stories. 
-Respond to the content of children's writing, and don't be overly concerned 
with misspellings. Over time you can help your child concentrate on learning 
to spell correctly. 
-Find a fable, fairy tale, or other short story for your child to read. Then 
ask your child to illustrate a part of the story he or she likes best or 
describe a favorite character. Have the child dictate or write a few 
sentences that tell about this picture
-Have the child write post cards to grandparents or friends. Make "child 
size" post cards using 4X6 cards. Divide one side in half using a dark line. 
Make lines on one side for the address and lines on the other side for the 
message. Have the child draw a picture on the reverse side or cut one from a 
magazine. 
-Write a letter to family or friends. Reluctant writers benefit from filling 
in the blanks or dictating the letter to an adult and then copying it.

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Math

-Use computer games to learn math facts, improve reading and vocabulary. 
-Listen to math facts on tape or CDs (this can even be done in the car). 
-Match or sort coins
-Encourage children to help estimate, measure, pour water or milk, not only 
to learn some of the quantitative terms but to help them acquire certain 
visual- spatial-motor skills. 
-Simple games with dominoes can be used to match quantities, and to 
strengthen counting skills.

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Successful Homework Strategies

-Establish a daily routine for completing homework by choosing a consistent 
time and place for homework to be completed every day.
-Establish a consistent workspace. The precise location for doing homework 
does not matter as long as it is free from distractions. 
-Encourage use of an appropriate writing posture. An appropriate size desk 
and chair are important. 
-The desk should have adequate lighting. 
-Ideas to help students enhance their ability to focus while doing homework 
(different for all children): Quiet or soft background music , silence, 
small crunchy snacks, sour candy, or chewing gum.
-Have a specific place for papers that will be returned to the teacher.

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