November is Picture Book Month!

    November is Picture Book Month, when schools, libraries, and book lovers celebrate the picture book and the joy of the read-aloud experience. Reading aloud is one of the most important things parents and teachers can do with children. Reading aloud builds many important foundational skills, introduces vocabulary, provides a model of fluent, expressive reading, and helps children recognize what reading for pleasure is all about.

The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.Visit this division of the American Library Association to see current and past award winners.

There are many great Blogs and Websites that can help you in your search for quality picture books. Here are just a few: The Picture Book Review, New York Times Best Sellers, and Children, Books and Reading. 

I also strongly encourage you to check out Inkygirl: Illustrated blog for writers, where the author lists just some of the reasons that picture books are important. She also includes the covers of just a few of the many wonderful 2013 picture books and other important resources.

Pick up a picture book and enjoy the wonderful story and beautiful illustrations~

Fluency in Reading and Math

Reading Fluency is  the ability to decode text with speed, accuracy, and the appropriate expression.

Reading fluency is important because it provides a bridge between word recognition and reading comprehension. Since fluent readers don't have to concentrate on decoding the actual words, they can focus their attention on what the text actually means. They can make mental connections throughout the text, as well as apply those connections to their personal backgrounds and experiences.

 
Simply, fluent readers recognize the words and comprehend their overall meaning at the same time. 

Math Fact Fluency is the ability to recall the answers to basic math facts automatically and without hesitation. Educators and scientists agree that the ability to recall basic math facts fluently is necessary for students to attain higher-order math skills. In other words,  if students develop rapid, effortless, and error-less recall of basic math facts, it leaves their attention and memory available to attack more complicated problems such as long division.

What is  basic fact fluency? Being able to add and subtract within 20 and multiply and divide within 100.

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What Can You Do to Help?  

Read with your children! No matter their age here are six reasons to read aloud daily with your child:

1. Reading aloud to your child provides an example of how fluent reading sounds.
2. Improving vocabulary improves reading and writing.  
3. It opens up new worlds for you and your children.
4. It’s a conversation starter, and a great way to talk about emotional health.
5. It can lead to a lifelong love of reading. 
6. Time spent together is always worthwhile.

Encourage Math Fact Practice! The more our students practice, the more they learn.

Here are a few ways to keep it fun:

1. Multiplication War:  Players each draw two cards from a deck, then multiply/add them together. The player with the largest product/sum wins the round.
2. Dice: Students roll two dice, then multiply/add the 2 numbers they rolled together.
3. Dominoes: Draw a domino that is face down.  Multiply/add the dots on either side of the domino together.
4. Number Draw (Great car game for everyone, excluding the driver of course!): Two players put their hands behind their backs. On the count of three, partners draw and show fingers. The first person to say the correct product/sum wins the round.
5. License Plate Math: Using numbers from the car in front of you, add/multiply the two largest numbers, find the difference between two numbers, look for patterns etc.

 Great Falls Lab Website:
https://sites.google.com/site/learninglabnews/

 

Start the School Year Off Right!

If you are prepared, you will be confident, and will do the job     ~ T Landry

Start the School Year Off Right!

Reset Your Schedule

During summer vacation bedtimes and wake-up times are less structured. Getting enough sleep and maintaining a dependable routine are two important factors in student success, so:

• Slowly move bedtimes and wake-up times back to what they should be during the school year. Doing this gradually makes beginning school less tiring.
• Create a calendar. A family calendar can help everyone see what’s going on. Color-coding each member’s events is especially helpful. (Use Google calendar and you can take it with you!)

Get Your Head Back in the Game

It’s a new school year and a fresh start! If your mind is still on vacation:

• Finish one more book before classes begin. Use technology, or pencil and paper, to do a quick review of your math facts.
• Think about goals for yourself. Setting goals and achieving them is an important skill that will help you succeed. Set clear goals around reading, math and study habits. (For example, I will read ten books by December. I will do my homework by 6 pm every night.)
• Look ahead. Many teachers maintain websites. Look things over for insight into the year ahead.

Plan Your Workspace and Gather Supplies

Set up a space for completing homework and projects.

• Make sure it’s a quiet, distraction-free place. Sometimes it helps to be in your room alone, but for many of us it is important to be near the family. (As long as it is quiet enough to focus!)
• Stock up on the supplies you need. If your teacher doesn’t send you a list, many stores will have a generic list to help you get started.

Do the First Week Right and the Rest Will Follow

You want to get a good start on the school year. Make the first week even easier by setting up the daily routines that make school life easier.

• The weekend before school begins, pick out outfits for the week.
• Each night before school, prep lunch and snacks and pack your back pack (Don’t wait until morning!)
• A checklist might be helpful for creating independence. (There are many to choose from at http://www.kidpointz.com/printable-charts/daily-routine-charts/morning-evening-charts/)

Winning is the science of being totally prepared    ~ George Allen, Sr.

Reading, Writing and Arithmetic

Reading, writing and arithmetic- The three R's. An outdated expression, and yet, these are the important basics that give our students the power to develop higher level thinking skills. Welcome to my new blog.  I started it to build connections with children, their families, and teachers.  I plan to use this blog to share ideas to help parents understand the skills and attitudes children need to be successful lifelong learners.  In addition, I hope to share current and relevant information around math and literacy education.