What can I do to help my child at home?

What can I do to help my child at home?

• You can refer to your child’s textbook, The textbook can be used to reread selections and further explain or clarify skills/concepts.
  
• You can also refer to your child’s ELA Toolbox. This resource will provide notes and reinforce the concepts/skills that were covered throughout the reading selection.
  
• You can find a Study Guide in your child’s agenda.  The Study Guide is provided for each test and is an outline of the exact skills that will be on the test.  You can use our child’s textbook and ELA Toolbox, along with the Study Guide, to focus your child’s studying and preparation.  Study Guides will always be given at least 2 days prior to the quiz or test. 
  
• You can check out the various sites that I have listed on my home page.  These sites can provide additional practice and support in numerous language arts related areas. You can also do an online search and explore other resources.
  
• You can model reading to your child.Your child will still follow your reading. Let your child see you reading, make comments, and share interesting passages with him/her. Reading to children exposes them to richer vocabulary and can have positive impacts on their language and later literacy achievement.
• You can keep up on what your child is reading.If you can, read a few pages of your child’s books yourself so you can discuss the book with him/her. You can also read with your child, taking turns reading pages or sections of the text. Have your child summarize at the end of their reading. Summarizing is one of the most important reading strategies to help your child comprehend texts.
  
• You can listen to your child read. When your child starts bringing books home from school, have your child read to you. If it doesn’t sound good (mistakes, choppy reading), have your child read it again. Or read it to your child, and then have your child try to read it again. Studies show that this kind of repeated oral reading makes students better readers, even when it is done at home.
  
• You can also promote writing at home. Literacy involves reading and writing. Encourage your child to write about what they’ve read.
  
• You can ensure that your child has completed his/her Study Island assignments for ELA class. These assignments will reinforce skills taught in class and will also facilitate growth.
  
• You can check your child’s agenda each night and make sure assignments are complete. You can also look over your child’s graded work and review any areas that were completed incorrectly so your child does not continue to make the same mistakes.