How to Support Your Child's Learning During Winter Break
Here are some tips for parents and guardians of students in Kindergarten through 5th grade for helping their youngsters practice reading and math skills during the Winter break.
Kindergarten
Reading
- Practice reading the words in the critical words booklets. Have your child identify each word.
- Play games with your critical words cards, such as Memory, Go Fish, etc.
- Read a story together. Ask your child, "Who was it about? Where did it happen? When did it happen? What was the problem? How did he/she solve the problem?"
Math
- Count, everything: cars on the road, stairs you climb, steps you take, blocks, crackers, etc. Count by 5s and 10s, as well as by 1s.
Website for activity ideas: www.ixl.com
1st Grade
Reading
- Read the calendar together. Count the days. Read the months and days of the week. Write notes on the calendar together.
Math
- When you're shopping, identify coins and their values (ex.: quarter = $ .25)
- Practice telling time, looking at a digital clock and at an analog (face) clock.
Websites for activity ideas:
- Starfall.com
- Tumblebooks (to access free, go on the Portland Public Library site, and click on Tumblebooks)
2nd Grade
Reading
- Listen to your child read a story. Ask about the story elements. Ask, "Who is it about? Where did it happen? Why did it happen? What was the character's problem? What steps did he/she take to solve the problem?"
- Have your child write the grocery list, invitations, thank you notes, etc.
Math
- Do adding and subtracting activities/problems with food. Ex: You have 15 fruit loops. You eat 8 fruit loops. How many do you have left?
- When shopping, identify coins and their values. Add up the costs of the items you will buy. Count the change you will get.
3rd Grade
Reading
- Help your child practice strategies that good readers use, for example:
- As your child reads a story, ask him/her to make connections between what he/she is reading and….1) his/her own experiences, 2) other stories he/she has read, 3) things in the world.
- Help your child learn multiplication facts. You can use flash cards or internet games. Use the cards to play games like Go Fish or Concentration. Students must be able to answer the facts automatically. Sometimes we call those, "snappy facts."
Website for activity ideas:
- Go to the Brigadoon elementary school website, http://schools.fwps.org/brig/students/netlinks/ and click on the links to learning sites that are there.
4th Grade
Reading
- While reading a fiction book together, or independently, ask your child the following questions:
- Who is the main character of the story?
- Tell how two characters in the story are alike?
- What problem do the characters face in the story?
- Choose 3 story events and put them in the right order.
- What do you think will be the next event to happen?
- What is the main idea of the story?
- What do you think the author is telling readers in this story?
Math
- Knowing all math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) automatically is so important by this level. When driving in the car, waiting for an appointment, or walking together, quiz your child, and have him quiz you. Flash cards are available on the web at:
Websites for activity ideas:
- www.multiplication.com – for 40 math games, and other links to learning
- www.thatquiz.org – On this site, your child can select how many facts to do, and whether to be timed, or not.
5th Grade
Reading
- While reading a fiction book together, or independently, ask your child the following questions:
- Who is the main character of the story?
- Tell how two characters in the story are alike?
- What problem do the characters face in the story?
- Choose 3 story events and put them in the right order.
- What do you think will be the next event to happen?
- What is the main idea of the story?
- What do you think the author is telling readers in this story?
- Take your child to the public library and have him/her apply for his own library card.
- Have your child read a picture book to a younger brother or sister.
Math
- Have your child plan a meal for the family. Estimate the budget needed, before going to the store. Compare the estimate to the actual cost. Which was more? How much more? Have them cook the meal and enjoy!
- Practice math facts using a deck of cards. Two people can play "war" with cards.
Website for activity ideas
Developed by the Family & Community Partnership Office working with Brigadoon Principal Chris Odell and Brigadoon staff.
Posted: December 15, 2011