What can be done at home to help your child

Hi!

Here are a few things that can be done at home to further your child's academic success:

1. Sign up for a free google mail (gmail) account so your child can share their work with you (writing and presentations).

2.  Have your student read aloud to you -- fluency while reading is an important skill and this is one of those cliche "practice makes perfect" deals.

3. If you see your child is writing a list for groceries or writing you a quick note, double check their spelling and correct them when necessary.  Many students struggle with spelling and any time that we can work together to correct poor spelling, the better.  They can learn from their mistakes and make a habit of spelling words correctly.

4.  Review their multiplication and division facts with them.  This doesn't have to be torture or a medieval punishment that they will despise, but rather you can make it a quick challenge during a TV commercial break or when walking to get the mail.  The more the review they get, the more fluent they will become in these facts.  The goal is that your student will be able to answer these facts as naturally and as easy as they say "Good morning my perfect parents!  I love you!"

5. Check their pink planner page.  All homework is written down at the end of the day on their pink planner page.  I also update it on this blog.

6. Have them do a binder check.  This is when they get their binder and hang it upside down -- no papers should fall.  If any do, have them file them away in the appropriate place.  Organization is key in 5th grade and the years to come.

7. Quiz them on their weekly vocabulary words.

8. Encourage them to talk to me if they are feeling overwhelmed, confused or if they just want to chat.  It's my job to make sure I am working for you and your child and I want to make sure their needs are being met.

9. Communicate with me if you ever have comments/questions/concerns.  I am always available to meet as well, however I do coach high school soccer so I am not free from 3pm-6pm (practice days) and game days I am unavailable from 5pm-9pm.  After mid Oct., my schedule opens up quite a bit.