Tips for Home *and* Pictures!

Happy Saturday!

As we start the new year, I think about how proud I am of each and every student. Our winter reading scores have shown how much learning has occurred, and it gets me excited for all of the learning we have yet to achieve! Here are some ways that you can continue to help your child grow as a reader at home:

1. Read with your child: Reading with your child is one of the most important things that a parent can do to foster a love of reading. Whatever way, shape, or form you choose to read with your child is up to you- they are all great! It could be reading a story to them (where they get to practice making images in their head as you read), having them read out loud (where they get to practice decoding new words), or having them listen to a story while following along (where they can practice reading fluency), or really anything that involves books! J

2. Encourage your child to read “just right” books independently: A “just right” book is one that your child can read independently while still comprehending the text. A “too easy” book can bore your child, and a “too hard” book will drive your child to frustration or make it difficult to understand what is happening in the story. Having trouble figuring out if a story is “just right” for your child? Try these easy tips:

• Have your child choose a book that they would like to read on their own.
• ·          Ask your child to read a page of the story that they have not read before.
•   As they are reading, follow along and keep track on your fingers the number of reading errors your child has made. If the number of errors is 3 or more, the story is too difficult.
•  Pay attention to the facial expressions of your child as he or she reads. Another indicator of a “too hard” book is if it looks difficult for your child to read (i.e. squinting eyes, pausing to sound out words, and other signs of frustration).
• ·         By the end of 1st grade, your child should be able to read at least 60 words in one minute. Having your child read “just right” books is critical in order for them to reach this goal by June. 

3. Check out the Somerset IMC webpage. This year, we welcomed a new IMC specialist to our school, Sarah Garrett. She has been an incredible resource to staff and students alike this year. One area where she has been simply phenomenal is gathering technology resources and sharing them with others. Click on the following link to find a list of amazing (and free!) educational resources online: http://imc.wsp197.org/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home&l2m=Home

4. Try out some new i-pad apps!

Last winter, Somerset staff met in order to discover new ways to use the i-pads in school. It is simply amazing how many free educational apps there are to choose from! I thought I would share a few names so that you can try them at home:

Word Games:

·      Whirly Word

·      Chicktionary

Social Studies:

·      Stack the States Lite

Reading Support:

·      Audio Note: Record your child reading and play it back for him/her to hear

·      Grammar Jammers

·      Tumblebooks I-pad link (on blog website list)

·      Story Wheel

Spelling Practice:

·      Magnet board

·      Doodle buddy

·      ABC Lite- Pocket Phonics

Mathematics:

·      Pop Math Lite

·      MathBoard Lite

·      Math Quizzer

Miscellaneous:

·      Brain POP

·      Mankala

·      Cut the Rope

As a bonus for reading this whole post, here are some photos from the beginning of 2013! 

Enjoy!

:-) Mrs. Brignac