Summer Reading Tips II

When will we get all this summer reading done?

While on the go. How much time is spent on a commute, running errands, driving to practice? Keep books in the car to always have one available. A milk crate or extra backpack of books will keep them safe.

While waiting. Waiting for sister's soccer practice to be over, waiting at an appointment, waiting for dinner to be done. Reading while waiting fills in a wasted empty time and has a clear end mark - when dinner is ready!

Evening routine. Every night after dinner set the timer for 30 minutes, read 30 minutes before bed time, 30 minutes before any TV time, 30 minutes while dinner is prepared. Have your child agree on a time and stick to it!

When it's too hot. I know on these warm afternoons I don't want to go run around, bake, or go somewhere in the car. So I find the coolest spot I can and plop down with a book!

Swimming is Healthy Exercise

Don't love going for a run?  Too hot to go across the monkey bars?  Swim!

Swimming is a great life lesson and amazingly healthy exercise.  We love taking kids on field trips to the pool for that exact reason!  Ever notice how hungry you are after swimming?  It is because you were ...shhh!....EXERCISING!

Check out the local pools (indoor or outdoor) for their schedules and price fees. 

Here is a great article about why swimming safety is so important!  Keep kids safe, teach before it's too late!

Bake Sale

May 20th at 2:00

Our school will be having a bake sale to raise money to support our upcoming 5th graders

(so long 4th grade!)

on their Outdoor Experience Overnight trip in the 2011-2012 school year.

Parents are encouraged to bake

simple

kid friendly

delicious

easily packaged

treats

to donate and sell at the bake sale.

For more information about the 5th grade trip contact our 5th grade teachers!

Preparing For Track Day

Track day is an exciting day in elementary school! 

Racing, jumping, throwing, climbing, stacking, teamwork, and fun.

The Intermediate track day is scheduled for Monday May 2. 

Come to school with:

• gym shoes
• comfortable clothes in layers
• hat, warm clothes for a cool weather report
• waterbottle
• healthy snack
• good attitude

Playground Vocabulary Lesson

To enjoy the beautiful weather we've had this week we did our vocabulary lesson outside.

We taped the words onto cones, and the students had to find the words and meanings they needed!

Some reading, writing, running, and sunshine!

Encouraging Reading

Read! Read! Read!
Our class is participating in the book it program, our school's Accelerated Reader program, and our daily homework of reading 30 minutes each night.


Some nights are easier than others but here are some ideas about how to squeeze in some reading time without a fight.

• Make sure the book is on their level. Too easy is boring and they will quit, too hard and they're frustrated. AR levels at our library will help!
• Interesting books. Know what interests your child and encourage them to find books in that genre.
• Owning favorite books. Repetition is helpful to improve fluency and comprehension. Reread that favorite book again.
• Keep a supply on hand. Our school library paired with a home or public library selection should give your child several options when it comes to reading time.

When will we get all this reading done?

• While on the go. How much time is spent on a commute, running errands, driving to practice? Keep books in the car to always have one available. A milk crate or extra backpack of books will keep them safe.
• While waiting. Waiting for sister's soccer practice to be over, waiting at an appointment, waiting for dinner to be done. Reading while waiting fills in a wasted empty time and has a clear end mark - when dinner is ready!
• Evening routine. Every night after dinner set the timer for 30 minutes, read 30 minutes before bed time, 30 minutes before any TV time, 30 minutes while dinner is prepared. Have your child agree on a time and stick to it!

Keep it special

• 1 on 1 time. Spend time with your child individually as a special part of the day.

• Family book. Read a book together as a family and enjoy the exciting plot and adventure that many children's books have to offer.
• Location. Reading is much more enjoyable when you are comfortable. Find cozy places to encourage your child to read.

• Praise. Reading can be tough work. Giving your child verbal praise for their accomplishments.

• Rewards. Our goal is to have reading be a reward in itself. To help kids get there, programs like book it, lunch with the teacher, or rewards set up at home can help guide the way.

• Tracking progress. Keep a list of books read, hours read, minutes read, or something to help chart the progress your child is making.

• Ownership. Owning a book can be a meaningful connection to the characters, plot, and information in a book. Inexpensive ideas include thrift stores, garage sales, used book stores, Scholastic book clubs, or trading books with friends.

Posts on More Than the ABC’s may include links to external websites. Links to external sites are not under the editing control of the author of More Than the ABC’s.