Kids are enamored with learning to read but they each have their own process for learning. Yes, there are strategies and practice that benefit all readers but when students learn to read at their own time, with books that work best for them and participation in their own process, success is very sweet!
We want to always foster a LOVE for reading. This love for reading (whether it is reading pictures or words or both) is what will help our kids build confidence!
Reading Bags: A book, chosen by your child will come home each night this year. As your child brings home his/her reading bag, please talk about the book in the bag first. Why did you chose it? Should I read it to you or are you ready to read it to me? What does it make you think about? Afterwards, talk together about your enjoyed about the story.
Finding Books:
Children learning to write need to have lots of time to tell their stories! This year they will be learning to write about what they know!
Make a point to stop and tell stories to your own children about the simplest of things...the shape and colors of the moon last night, when you were a kid stories and anything you think they might enjoy.
If your child in interested, set out pencils, crayons and booklets (6 or so pieces of paper stapled together) for them to plan and write some of the stories they've told you about.
Find Ideas for Writing
How To Writing: (click images)
Narrative
Keeping a Notebook of Ideas
Kids learn by doing real world mathematics! Find math in what you are doing at home:
Talk about adding while putting things in your grocery cart.
Subtract as you turn off all your lights before bed.
Think fractions as you bake cookies-- the idea of half is fine for first graders!