Supporting your Child with their Reading
Helping your child find books that they enjoy reading will help keep them motivated. Set aside time at home to read for enjoyment - either with your child, or modeling this form of entertainment for your child. Modeling reading and engaging in discussions centered around books are two of the best ways to support your child as a reader at home. Here are some questions that will spark book discussion at home for all levels of students.
Before reading, ask:
While your child is reading, ask:
After your child has finished a book, ask:
Lastly, encourage writing by having your child write about what they have read or keep a daily journal.
Before reading, ask:
- Why did you choose this book?
- What do you think is going to happen in the book?
- Does this book remind you of anything you've already read or seen?
While your child is reading, ask:
- What is the setting of the book?
- What does the place look like? Would you want to visit there?
- What do you think will happen next in the story?
- What is happening? What caused this to happen?
- Why is the character making the choices he/she is?
- How has the character changed from the beginning of the story?
- If you were that character, what would you do differently?
After your child has finished a book, ask:
- Did the main problem presented in the story get solved?
- What was your favorite part of the book? Why?
- Was there a lesson you learned after reading the whole book?
- What was the most interesting thing you learned from the book?
- Why do you think the author wrote this book?
- Would you have ended the book differently?
- Did it end the way you thought it would?
Lastly, encourage writing by having your child write about what they have read or keep a daily journal.
Support you Child with their Math
Children learn math best through engaging activities that encourage them to: explore, discuss, and explain their thinking. An important part of learning math is learning how to reason and make mathematical connections. Through problem solving student learn to use a variety strategies such as finding a pattern, drawing a picture/diagram, or working backwards. Children learn that there is more than one way to solve a problem and occasionally more than one correct answer. Point out, and talk about, examples of math being used in everyday ways is a great ways for parents to promote mathematical thinking.
Tips you can use to help your child
Be positive about math: Let your child know that everyone can learn math. Be positive about your own math abilities. Try to avoid saying "I was never good at math" or "I never liked math". Encourage your child to be persistent if a problem seems difficult.
Make math part of your child’s day: Point out to your child the many ways in which math is used in everyday activities. Include your child in everyday activities that involve math – making purchases, measuring ingredients, counting out plates and utensils for dinner. Play games and do puzzles with your child that involve math.
Encourage your child to give explanations: When your child is trying to solve a problem, ask what he or she is thinking. If your child seems puzzled, ask him or her to tell you what doesn't make sense. Have your child show how he or she reached a conclusion by drawing pictures, moving objects as well as by using words.
Resources:
Tips you can use to help your child
Be positive about math: Let your child know that everyone can learn math. Be positive about your own math abilities. Try to avoid saying "I was never good at math" or "I never liked math". Encourage your child to be persistent if a problem seems difficult.
Make math part of your child’s day: Point out to your child the many ways in which math is used in everyday activities. Include your child in everyday activities that involve math – making purchases, measuring ingredients, counting out plates and utensils for dinner. Play games and do puzzles with your child that involve math.
Encourage your child to give explanations: When your child is trying to solve a problem, ask what he or she is thinking. If your child seems puzzled, ask him or her to tell you what doesn't make sense. Have your child show how he or she reached a conclusion by drawing pictures, moving objects as well as by using words.
Resources:
Pinewood Webpage: www.moundsviewschools.org/Domain/10