At home this week, practice counting precisely with your child with everyday objects. Start with a small, easy amount, then build your way up to higher numbers. Very soon I will be teaching the kids a much faster way to count large numbers of objects called skip counting. Stay tuned!
Homework is an important discipline in a child's life, and it gives an important boost to learning. However, this year I'm finding that many of the kids are having a tough time getting their homework completed and turned in. In past years, there might have been two or three children that forget their homework journals, or have incomplete assignments, but now there are as many as 10 kids not completing their assignments regularly. So here are some homework tips that may help you to better assist your child in this area:
- Designate a homework time and a homework space--use the same time and place in your home when it's time for homework. This puts your child in the mindset for working.
- Sit with your child--Even kindergarteners who can read the instructions themselves need their parents to sit with them to help them organize their work, write neatly, get motivated and stay on track.
- Help but don't do!--Your child can do much more that you might think! Be available to assist (i.e. reading and explaining instructions, helping your child think of answers, etc.), but let your child do the work on his own as much as possible. As for writing, I know some kindergarteners are still developing fine motor skills and have great difficulty with writing. In those cases, I encourage parents to write your child's words for them using a yellow highlighter or marker, then asking your child to trace your letters. When that becomes easy, they may be ready to copy the words.
- Be smart with art--I expect all drawings and artwork to be done by the child only--no adult help please. Some students are just doing a quick scribble on some assignments, and they are losing points. I expect all drawings to be child-made, to have at least 3 colors, and to have many details. Tell your child: Don't just draw a stick figure--instead, draw pants, fingers, shoes with laces, or a skirt. Other great details include pupils, hair, ears, or designs on clothing. Encourage your child to take their time and to go back and add more colors or details to their drawings. This will get them a star and 10 points!
- Thursday Night Check--Give your child the responsibility of placing their own homework inside their backpack each Thursday night so they can turn it in on Friday. Make them accountable for their own work.
- Friday Morning Reminder--Finally, give your child a reminder before they head out the door on Fridays to turn in their homework. We always say on Fridays, "Do your 5 things---number 5 is homework."
P.S.--Have you had a look at the Rainbow Wall yet? It's to the right...the children listed are the ones who got all the way to purple in their cloud, and are showing their best behavior in class. When the class earns 20 complete rainbows, we will have a popcorn party! Please praise your child and give them big UPS when you see their name on the Rainbow Wall.
Have a beautiful week,