Studying At Home

Parents we are moving and cruising in our classroom. I have had a few questions around what students should be bringing home and completing.

First, students should be reading at home everyday. In an article published by the Australian Christian College they state that reading daily has many health benefits. It can help reduce stress. It can actually lower stress by almost 68% because reading distracts the brain. Another reason, students have been diagnosed in record numbers as depressed and reading reduces depression. It also helps reduce memory loss.

The benefits of reading at home also helps students perform better in school. We know that students are tested on fluency and comprehension, but like any skill if not practiced it will not be perfected. Reading allows for students to develop critical thinking and comprehension skills.

Things you can do at home to help your students read.

• Have them read out loud to you so you can hear the reflection in their voice.

• Ask them questions about why a character is choosing to do something.

• Ask them if they can relate to what is happening or tell a story about a time something happened similar to you.

• Ask the students to summarize in one or two sentences what they read.

Students have so many tools available to them now that spelling is getting more frustrating. This year I have found ways to make spelling words into activities. I will be sending home activities for the students to practice on. I did let them know I would like to see their spelling work. Please let me know if you need more tools to help.

Math: I am going to send home parent letters at the beginning of each unit to help you when working with your students. Please watch for them. Currently we are working on Place Value: comparing large numbers, rounding, and working on expanded & word form.