Mrs. Denman

THINGS FOR PARENTS TO DO

Top Ten Things Teachers Wish Parents Would Do

Brought to you by the

National PTA®.

1 Be involved. Parent involvement helps students learn, improves schools, and helps teachers work with you to help your children succeed.

2 Provide resources at home for learning. Utilize your local library, and have books and magazines available in your home. Read with your children each day.

3 Set a good example. Show your children by your own actions that you believe reading is both enjoyable and useful. Monitor television viewing and the use of videos and game systems.

4 Encourage students to do their best in school. Show your children that you believe education is important and that you want them to do their best.

5 Value education and seek a balance between schoolwork and outside activities. Emphasize your children's progress in developing the knowledge and skills they need to be successful both in school and in life.

6 Recognize factors that take a toll on students' classroom performance:

? Consider the possible negative effects of long hours at after-school jobs or in extracurricular activities. Work with your children to help them maintain a balance between school responsibilities and outside commitments.

7 Support school rules and goals. Take care not to undermine school rules, discipline, or goals.

8 Use pressure positively. Encourage children to do their best, but don't pressure them by setting goals too high or by scheduling too many activities.

9 Call teachers early if you think there's a problem while there is still time to solve it. Don't wait for teachers to call you.

10 Accept your responsibility as parents. Don't expect the school and teachers to take over your obligations as parents. Teach children self-discipline and respect for others at home -- don't rely on teachers and schools to teach these basic behaviors and attitudes.

http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,76-6630,00.html

FOR PARENTS » READING EVERY NIGHT

	READING EVERY NIGHT

******For the Parents*******

The Answer to the Question:

"Why Can't I Skip My Child's Twenty Minutes of ReadingTonight?©˜

Let's figure it out -- mathematically!

Student A reads 20 minutes five nights of every week;

Student B reads only 4 minutes a night...or not at all!

Step 1: Multiply minutes a night x 5 times each week.

Student A reads 20 min. x 5 times a week = 100 mins./week

Student B reads 4 minutes x 5 times a week = 20 minutes

Step 2: Multiply minutes a week x 4 weeks each month.

Student A reads 400 minutes a month.

Student B reads 80 minutes a month.

Step 3: Multiply minutes a month x 9 months/school year

Student A reads 3600 min. in a school year.

Student B reads 720 min. in a school year.

Student A practices reading the equivalent of ten whole school days a year.

Student B gets the equivalent of only two school days of reading practice.

By the end of 6th grade if Student A and Student B maintain these same reading

habits,

Student A will have read the equivalent of 60 whole school days

Student B will have read the equivalent of only 12 school days. One would expect the gap of information retained will have widened considerably and so, undoubtedly, will school performance. How do you think Student B will feel about him/herself as a student?

Some questions to ponder:

Which student would you expect to read better?

Which student would you expect to know more?

Which student would you expect to write better?

Which student would you expect to have a better vocabulary?

Which student would you expect to be more successful in school....and in life?

FOR PARENTS » Reading at home

	Reading at home

Reading Books-

Reading with your children is a great way to help them develop and strengthen their reading skills. It is recommended to read with your children each day. This can easily become part of a daily bedtime or morning ritual, and will be a time you will cherish with your children.

Here are some reading tips:

-Choose the right book. When reading to a younger child, choose a book with large enough print and try to point to each word as you read; this will help your child build his or her vocabulary and word recognition. Pointing to words is especially effective when you use your child's favorite books. Since he or she is familiar with the story, your child will be able to focus more on each written word.

-Learn new words. When reading aloud to your child, encourage them to stop you when you use a word they do not understand. Explain what the word means, how it is spelled and what it looks like. Helping your child comprehend words early in his or her school education will help your child build a larger vocabulary. It also instills the importance of definition and correct word choice into his or her English skills.

-Listen to your child read. Older students should be encouraged to read aloud to their parents. Listening to your child read will help you monitor his or her progress in reading and communication skills. The more practice your child gets at home, the better he or she will do at school.

-Let your child choose books. Having a family library day once a week or a couple of times a month is also recommended so parents can allow their children to pick out reading books. This will expose your children to a variety of book types and difficulties. Encourage your children to start to explore more difficult books as he or she grows stronger with reading.

-Read new mediums. Parents should also introduce children to various reading mediums other than books. Encourage your child to read magazines and help him or her to read news stories. It is important for kids to understand reading is used for a variety of activities, not just to read stories. As you introduce your child to a new medium, discuss with him or her the purpose of the literature and when your child may come across this form of writing. Ask your child what he or she may expect the reading experience to be. After reading through the newspaper, magazine, or any other new writing style, discuss with your child what they do and do not like about the text. Ask your child if he or she experienced difficulties with any aspect of the reading and discuss together ways your child can work to improve his or her reading.

Article from:
http://math-and-reading-help-for-kids.org/articles/Creating_a_strong_reader.html

FOR PARENTS » TEN WAYS TO IMPROVE READING SKILLS

	TEN WAYS TO IMPROVE READING SKILLS

Top Ten Ways to Improve Reading Skills

Peggy Gisler, Ed.S. and Marge Eberts, Ed.S.

Nothing is more important to academic achievement than being a good reader. Parents know their children best and can provide the one-on-one time and attention that will lead them to success in reading. Here is a list of ways to help your children become more effective readers.

1. Set aside a regular time to read to your children every day.

Studies show that regularly reading out loud to children will produce significant gains in reading comprehension, vocabulary, and the decoding of words. Whether your children are preschoolers or preteens, it will increase their desire to read independently.

2. Surround your children with reading material.

Children with a large array of reading materials in their homes score higher on standardized tests. Tempt your kids to read by having a large supply of appealing books and magazines at their reading level. Put the reading materials in cars, bathrooms, bedrooms, family rooms, and even by the TV.

3. Have a family reading time.

Establish a daily 15 to 30 minute time when everyone in the family reads together silently. Seeing you read will inspire your children to read. Just 15 minutes of daily practice is sufficient to increase their reading fluency.

4. Encourage a wide variety of reading activities.

Make reading an integral part of your children's lives. Have them read menus, roadside signs, game directions, weather reports, movie time listings, and other practical everyday information. Also, make sure they always have something to read in their spare time when they could be waiting for appointments or riding in a car.

5. Develop the library habit.

Entice your children to read more by taking them to the library every few weeks to get new reading materials. The library also offers reading programs for children of all ages that may appeal to your children and further increase their interest in reading.

6. Be knowledgeable about your children's progress. Find out what reading skills they are expected to have at each grade level. The school's curriculum will give you this information. Track their progress in acquiring basic reading skills on report cards and standardized tests.

7. Look for reading problems.

Teachers do not always detect children's reading problems until they've become serious. Find out if your children can sound out words, know sight words, use context to identify unknown words, and clearly understand what they read.

8. Get help promptly for reading problems.

Reading problems do not magically disappear with time. The earlier children receive help, the more likely they will become good readers. Make sure your children receive necessary help from teachers, tutors, or learning centers as soon as you discover a problem.

9. Use a variety of aids to help your children.

To help your children improve their reading, use textbooks, computer programs, books-on-tape, and other materials available in stores. Games are especially good choices because they let children have fun as they work on their skills.

10. Show enthusiasm for your children's reading.

Your reaction has a great influence on how hard they will try to become good readers. Be sure to give them genuine praise for their efforts.

http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,66-24428,00.html

FOR PARENTS » HOW THEY GROW IN THIRD GRADE

	HOW THEY GROW IN THIRD GRADE

How They Grow in Third Grade

Where They Are-

The average eight-year-old is explosive, excitable, dramatic, and inquisitive. She:

• Possesses a "know-it-all" attitude.

• Is able to assume some responsibility for her actions.

• Actively seeks praise.

• May undertake more than she can handle successfully.

• Is self-critical.

• Recognizes the needs of others.

Where They're Going-

At eight years old, your child is learning how to set goals and understand the consequences of his behavior. You can help by encouraging him as he:

• Explores the relationships of feelings, goals, and behavior.

• Learns about choices and consequences.

• Begins setting goals.

• Becomes more responsible.

• Learns how to work with others.

http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,66-16648-0-1,00.html

Top Signs of Trouble in Third Grade

Trouble is on the horizon for your child if he hasn't mastered basic reading and math skills by the end of third grade.

Any deficiencies in these areas must be addressed immediately.

Your child will have trouble if he isn't able to:

Apply phonics rules in her reading.

Write complete sentences.

Automatically read high-frequency words.

Solve simple story problems in math.

Write legibly in cursive.

Add and subtract 1-digit and 2-digit numbers.

http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,66-16349-0-1,00.html

FOR PARENTS » WHAT IS LEARNED IN THIRD GRADE?

	WHAT IS LEARNED IN THIRD GRADE?

Third Grade: What Will They Learn?

Unlike second grade, where so much time is spent reinforcing the skills taught in first grade, many new and more sophisticated skills are introduced in third grade. At this level, most students will now have nightly homework assignments. Find out what else your child will learn this year.

Recognize simple subjects and predicates.

Write sentences with subject/verb agreement.

Work out the pronunciation and meaning of unfamiliar words.

Use comprehension skills in reading.

Identify the plot, setting, and main characters of a story.

Use a dictionary.

Write paragraphs with a topic/main idea sentence and supporting details.

Add and subtract any numbers from 100 - 1,000.

Multiply numbers to 12 x 12 and be able to determine each related division fact.

Measure using standard and metric units.

Appreciate local history and national figures.

Conduct simple scientific investigations.

http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,66-16700-0-1,00.html

FOR PARENTS » HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD WITH MULTIPLICATION

	HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD WITH MULTIPLICATION

Help Your Child Ace the Next Multiplication Quiz

Peggy Gisler, Ed.S. and Marge Eberts, Ed.S.

It's not unusual for children to have trouble learning the multiplication facts. Fortunately, you can help if you're willing to work with your child every day. For the best results, keep drill sessions short, review learned facts frequently, and don't teach a new set of facts until your child has completely memorized the previous set. Begin by doing the following:

1. Make a set of multiplication flash cards with your child. Do not include the answers on the cards.

2. Work with one set of multiplication facts at a time (2x1, 2x2, 2x3, 2x4 etc.).

3. Next, work with the set of multiplication facts that has 2 as a second factor (1x2, 2x2, 3x2, 4x2 etc.) Remind your child that these facts are equivalent to addition doubles.

4. In the next session, work with the 5x tables. Start with 5 as the first factor (5x1, 5x2, 5x3) and then tackle 5 as the second factor (1x5, 2x5, 3x5).

5. For some children, it helps to recognize patterns when they exist within each set of multiplication facts.

6. To help your child with her 4x tables, you can teach her the "double and then double again" approach. For example: 4x3=12 because double 3 is 6 and double again is 12; 4x4=16 because double 4 is 8 and double again is 16, and so on.

7. To help your child with his 9x tables, you can teach him the -1 approach. For example: 2x9 = 18 because 2-1 is 1 and 9-1 is 8; put them together and you get 18. Similarly, 3x9 = 27 because 3-1 is 2 and 9-2 is 7; put them together and you get 27. And again, 4x9 = 36 because 4-1 is 3 and 9-3 is 6; put them together and you get 36. And one more time: 5x9 = 45 because 5-1 is 4 and 9-4 is 5; put them together and you get 45.

When your child doesn't know a fact, don't tell her the answer -- answers that come easily are not retained. Instead, show her how to find the answer. For example, if she doesn't know 3x4, have her draw three parallel horizontal lines and four parallel vertical lines. Then have her count the intersections to get the answers.

FOR PARENTS » THINGS FOR PARENTS TO DO

	THINGS FOR PARENTS TO DO