Learning Outside of the Classroom
Contining to work on skills and concepts that were introduced and practiced in the classroom outside of the classroom, is key to your child's success. Here are some great ways to extend learning beyond the classroom walls.
Talking: Talking builds vocabulary, and it strenghthens sentence structure. So talk, talk, and talk some more. Model corrrect grammar for your child, and correct their's when necessary. Talk about school to let them know you value their education, talk about when you were little to give them a sense of history, and talk about the future so they understand that what they do today impacts what their future will look like.
Math: Practice addition and subtration math facts, practice telling time, practice counting money and making change. Make sure math homework is completed. Check your child's homework over for correctness and neatness. Take time to instill a sense of pride. Use web sites that I've posted on the "Link" page.
Spelling: Your child will be bringing home their spelling list every Monday. Please keep the list in a visible place, such as the refrigerator, and practice 10-15 minutes each night. It is a very important to have your child write each word several times during the week to support visual memory. The object of a spelling test is not just learning the words for the test, but to learn to use the spelling word or sight words in reading and writing for a lifetime. Studying a little bit each night will help your child feel prepared for their tests on Fridays and to be better equiped with spelling strategies. You can use a web site called Spell city to practice as well; www.spellingcity.com. There are fun, "free" games for your child to play. Once you are at the website, click on "Houghton Mifflin" and then scroll down to our weekly story to find our spelling words. You DO NOT need to join in order for your child to play many of the games.
Reading: Make reading a priority by establishing a routine. Ask your child to tell you about the book, chapter, or page as they read. At school, we use a strategy called " Check for Understanding." Your child reads anywhere from one sentence to a page, depending on their reading level, and then tells what they read in their own words. The most effective way to model the importance of reading is for your child to see you reading. Use the Houghton Mifflin web site that I've posted on the "Link" page.
Writing: Second graders write a lot, and we write for different reasons. There's lots of ways to keep your child writing everyday without taking a lot of time.
-make or add to the grocery list
-help you create a list of errands or jobs that need to be done around the house.
-record his/her own activities on the calendar.
-write letters, notes, and cards. Have your child write to family or friends, write a note to a classmate, or design and write a thank you or birthday card for someone special. Write to the tooth fairy, a pen pal, a favorite stuffed animal...
-keep a journal/diary
Talking: Talking builds vocabulary, and it strenghthens sentence structure. So talk, talk, and talk some more. Model corrrect grammar for your child, and correct their's when necessary. Talk about school to let them know you value their education, talk about when you were little to give them a sense of history, and talk about the future so they understand that what they do today impacts what their future will look like.
Math: Practice addition and subtration math facts, practice telling time, practice counting money and making change. Make sure math homework is completed. Check your child's homework over for correctness and neatness. Take time to instill a sense of pride. Use web sites that I've posted on the "Link" page.
Spelling: Your child will be bringing home their spelling list every Monday. Please keep the list in a visible place, such as the refrigerator, and practice 10-15 minutes each night. It is a very important to have your child write each word several times during the week to support visual memory. The object of a spelling test is not just learning the words for the test, but to learn to use the spelling word or sight words in reading and writing for a lifetime. Studying a little bit each night will help your child feel prepared for their tests on Fridays and to be better equiped with spelling strategies. You can use a web site called Spell city to practice as well; www.spellingcity.com. There are fun, "free" games for your child to play. Once you are at the website, click on "Houghton Mifflin" and then scroll down to our weekly story to find our spelling words. You DO NOT need to join in order for your child to play many of the games.
Reading: Make reading a priority by establishing a routine. Ask your child to tell you about the book, chapter, or page as they read. At school, we use a strategy called " Check for Understanding." Your child reads anywhere from one sentence to a page, depending on their reading level, and then tells what they read in their own words. The most effective way to model the importance of reading is for your child to see you reading. Use the Houghton Mifflin web site that I've posted on the "Link" page.
Writing: Second graders write a lot, and we write for different reasons. There's lots of ways to keep your child writing everyday without taking a lot of time.
-make or add to the grocery list
-help you create a list of errands or jobs that need to be done around the house.
-record his/her own activities on the calendar.
-write letters, notes, and cards. Have your child write to family or friends, write a note to a classmate, or design and write a thank you or birthday card for someone special. Write to the tooth fairy, a pen pal, a favorite stuffed animal...
-keep a journal/diary