Parent's Page

Everyday Math Tips - 10 at -home Reading Reinforcers -
99 Ways to Say...   -   10 Ways to Start a Conversation With Your Child   -   BeAtitudes

"You may have tangible wealth untold,
'Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
"Richer than I you can never be --
"I had a parent who read to me."

Gillilian Strickland

7 Everyday Math Tips for Young Mathematicians:

Our goal is to develop confident and competent mathematicians.  here are just a few ways to support your child's mathematical learning.  Ask your child's teacher for more grade-specific ways to practice math concepts at home.

  • Show me the money... Empty your pocket or purse change each evening and have your child count the money.  Another variation, when checking out at the store, ask your child to help you select the correct change to make your purchase or determine how much change you will receive.

  • It's about time... "We need to be at soccer practice at 6.  It takes 15 minutes to get to the field.  When should we leave?  Ask your child to help you solve some real-life word problems involving time.

  • Show me some more money... When you fill your gas tank, ask an older child to calculate gas mileage.

  • Talk the talk... Look for comparisons and use math vocabulary like greater than, less than, greatest, and fewest.  Point out patterns.  They're all around us...  Think walkways, wallpaper, tiles, and windows.

  • A numbers game... Play games that involve doing arithmetic.  Dominoes, chess, checkers, and puzzles all reinforce math learning.  Ask your child to add up the score after a hand of cards or a round of Scrabble.

  • Yummy math... Cooking offers many chances to practice math skills.  Grab the measuring cups and spoons to talk about fractions.  have a crowd for dinner?  Ask your child to double the recipe.  Younger children can use cereal or grapes to group and count.

  • Smart shopper... Store advertisements give your child another opportunity to compare, relating math to everyday situations.  Take coupons to the grocery store and ask your child to figure the new price with the discount.

10 at-home reading reinforcers:Studies show the average US student spends hours each day with electronic media (TV, computer, game systems) but only minutes reading.  And that's just not enough, literacy experts say.  Strong readers make successful learners.  The more your child reads, the better reader (and student) he will be!  Here are tips for encouraging reading...

  1. Daily reading time at home...  Help your child set aside daily reading time at home- 15-30 minutes after dinner or before bedtime- to read books at a comfortable, just-right reading level in different genres (realistic and historical fiction, fantasy, fables, fair tales, myths, non-fiction, & biographies).  Try new books, but keep those old favorites, too.

  2. Be a good (reading) example... When it's reading time for your child, pick up a book or magazine yourself.

  3. No holiday for reading...  Your child's daily reading habit should be just that, daily, even during vacations.  Take along books- or books on tape that the whole family will enjoy- for your next car trip.

  4. Family read-aloud...  Turn off the TV and start a family tradition with a childhood favorite, reading a chapter or two together each night.  Even older children (yes, teens) may like read-aloud time when it means a few extra minutes with Mom or Dad.

  5. Reader's choice...  Ask your reluctant reader to select his own reading material- whether that's a how-to book, a song or joke book, a special-interest magazine, the sports page, or a graphic anime novel.  Reading IS reading, no matter the content or type of reading material.  Books on tape can enhance traditional reading.

  6. Car-carrying member...  Help your child apply for her own library card.  Regular trips to the school or public library give your child a wider variety of reading materials.  Assist your child in selecting books appropriate to her reading level.  Books for younger readers should have pictures to support the story.

  7. Build a library... Help your child build his personal library.  Visit the used book store, garage sales and book swaps, library sales, and school book sales.

  8. Join a book club/group... Your older child may enjoy reading and discussing a book with friends.  check your school and public library for opportunities or help your child start her own club.

  9. Reading is everywhere...  Don't stop with books.  point out and read store marquees, cereal boxes, road signs, menus, weather reports, recipes, game directions, movie listings, and more, as you move through the day.

  10. Watch for reading problems...  Know what's expected at your child's grade level and ask your child's teacher about his progress at school.  if your older student has trouble with routine reading (signs or instructions), reads at a very slow pace on assigned reading, or avoids pleasure reading, he may benefit from extra reading support at school.

99 Ways to Say...
"I love you"

Positive Reinforcement gives children the support and confidence they need to reach their full potential.  Saying "I love you" is one way, but there are many other fun words and phrases that children love and respond to.  What does it all add up to?  "I LOVE YOU" ... it's the thought behind all the words!

  1. You're on the right track now!
  2. You're doing a good job.
  3. You did a lot of work today.
  4. Now you've figured it out.
  5. That's RIGHT!
  6. Now you have the hang of it.
  7. That's the way!
  8. You're really going to town!
  9. You're doing fine.
  10. Now you have it!
  11. Nice going.
  12. That's coming along nicely.
  13. That's great!
  14. You did it that time!
  15. GREAT!
  16. FANTASTIC!
  17. TERRIFIC!
  18. TREMENDOUS!
  19. You outdid yourself today.
  20. How did you do that?
  21. That's better.
  22. EXCELLENT!
  23. I'm really proud of how hard you try.
  24. Good job, (child's name)
  25. That's the best you've ever done.
  26. Good going!
  27. Keep it up!
  28. That's really nice.
  29. WOW!
  30. I appreciate your help.
  31. Much better!
  32. Good for you!
  33. That's must better!
  34. Good thinking!
  35. Exactly right!
  36. Super!

 
  1. Nice going.
  2. You make it look easy.
  3. I've never seen anyone do it better.
  4. You're doing much better today.
  5. Way to go!
  6. Not bad.
  7. Superb!
  8. You're getting better every day.
  9. WONDERFUL!
  10. I knew you could do it.
  11. Keep working on it; you're getting better.
  12. You're doing beautifully.
  13. You're really working hard today.
  14. That's the way to do it!
  15. Keep on trying!
  16. You're the best!
  17. Nothing can stop you now!
  18. You've got it made.
  19. You're very good at that.
  20. You certainly did well today.
  21. I'm very proud of you.
  22. You're learning fast.
  23. You've just about got it.
  24. That's good.
  25. I'm happy to see you working like that.
  26. I'm proud of the way you worked today.
  27. That's the right way to do it.
  28. You're really learning a lot.
  29. That's better than ever.
  30. That's quite an improvement.
  31. That kind of work makes me very happy.
  1. MARVELOUS!
  2. That deserves a high five.
  3. PERFECT!
  4. AWESOME!
  5. FINE!
  6. You've got your brain in gear today.
  7. That's IT!
  8. You figured it out fast!
  9. You remembered!
  10. You're really improving
  11. I think you've got it now.
  12. Well, look at you go!
  13. You've got that down pat.
  14. Good work!
  15. Outstanding!
  16. I like that.
  17. Couldn't have done better myself.
  18. Now that's what I call a fine job.
  19. Congratulations!
  20. That was first class work.
  21. RIGHT ON!
  22. SENSATIONAL!
  23. That's the best ever.
  24. Good remembering.
  25. You haven't missed a thing.
  26. It's a pleasure to teach you when you work like that.
  27. You really make my job fun.
  28. You got it right.
  29. You've just about mastered that.
  30. One more time and you'll have it.
  31. You must have been practicing!
  32. Fabulous work.

10 Ways to Start a Conversation With Your Child
by Julie Harstead (BLES Focus Teacher)

  1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate today (with 1 being terrible and 10 being terrific)?  What made it that way?

  2. What was the high point of your day?  What was the low point?

  3. Tell me the good news and the bad news about school today (or soccer practice this week, camp this summer, etc.).

  4. What's the thought or feeling you had today?

  5. What happened today that you didn't expect?

  6. I'm wondering what you're thinking about.  Would you like to talk about it?

  7. Tell me something good that's happened since the last time we talked.

  8. What's something you've done recently that has made you proud?

  9. What's on your mind these days?

  10. What are you looking forward to these days?

BeAtitudes For Parents
unknown author

The following is a poem that sums up the life of a parent.  It also gives us an insight on how we should treat our children, and how valuable each and every child is to us.

Blessed are the parents who make their peace with spilled milk and mud, for such is the kingdom of childhood.

Blessed is the parent who engages not in the comparison of his child with others, for precious unto each is the rhythm of his own growth.

Blessed are the fathers and mothers who have learned laughter, for it is the music of the child's world.

Blessed and wise are those parents who understand the goodness of time, for they make it not a sword that kills growth, but a shield to protect.

Blessed is the gift of consistency, for it is heart's ease in childhood.

Blessed are they who accept the awkwardness of growth, for they are aware of the constant perilous choice between marred furnishings and damaged personalities.

Blessed are the teachable, for knowledge brings understanding, and understanding brings love.

Blessed are the men and women who, in the midst of the unpromising world, give love, for they bestow the greatest of all gifts to each other, to their children, and - in an ever widening circle - to their fellow men.

 

 

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