Without doubt, reading with children spells success for early literacy. Putting a few simple strategies into action will make a significant difference in helping children develop into good readers and writers....
Continue reading "Simple Strategies for Creating Strong Readers"
December 2004
Adams, Marilyn J., Foorman, Barbara R., Lundberg, Ingvar, & Beeler, Terri. (1997). Phonemic Awareness in Young Children: A Classroom Curriculum. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co....
Continue reading "Reading Bibliography"
Living Books: Interactive Animated Stories (Ages 3-7) These programs provide a place for children to hear a story, read along with the narrator, or read by themselves. They also can interact with characters and objects and play games that teach...
Continue reading "Computer Programs for Reading"
Children's Magazines...
Continue reading "Children's Reading Magazines"
Beginning Readers...
Continue reading "Beginning and Early Readers Books"
Multiple-Language Books for Preschoolers-First-Graders...
Continue reading "Multiple-Language Reading Books"
Rhyming Books for Toddlers-Kindergartners...
Continue reading "Reading Books for Toddlers-First-Graders"
Alphabet Books for Preschoolers-First-Graders...
Continue reading "Reading Books for Preschoolers-First-Graders"
Here's a sampling of books, computer programs, and Web sites that you and your child can enjoy together. Check with your local librarian for more suggestions....
Continue reading "Reading Resources for Children"
Some Other Informative Web Sites for Parents and Caregivers...
Continue reading "Web Sites for Parents and Caregivers on Reading"
The following books are just a few of the many excellent books on reading with children. Check with your librarian for titles of more books and for children's book lists....
Continue reading "Books on Reading for Parents"
Learning Disabilities Association of America...
Continue reading "Other Awareness and Advocacy Organizations for Reading"
Federal or Federally Funded Clearinghouses...
Continue reading "Resources for Reading Problem or Learning Disability"
For information about adult and family literacy programs in your community, be sure to check at your local library. Other resources on literacy and reading include:...
Continue reading "Private Organizations That Deal with Literacy and Reading"
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)...
Continue reading "More Federal Reading Resources"
Federal Offices or Federally Funded Clearinghouses That Provide Information on Literacy and Learning U.S. Department of Education (ED)...
Continue reading "Reading Resources for Families and Caregivers"
At age 6, most first-graders can:...
Continue reading "Language Accomplishments for Children - age 6"
At age 5, most kindergartners become able to:...
Continue reading "Language Accomplishments for Children - age 5"
From ages 3-4, most preschoolers become able to:...
Continue reading "Language Accomplishments for Children - ages 3-4"
From birth to age 3, most babies and toddlers become able to:...
Continue reading "Language Accomplishments for Children - birth to age 3"
Learning to read is built on a foundation of language skills that children start to learn at birth—a process that is both complicated and amazing. Most children develop certain skills as they move through the early stages of learning language....
Continue reading "Typical Language Accomplishments for Children"
There are many ways that you can encourage your child to become a reader. Here are some questions that you can ask yourself to make sure that you are keeping on track:...
Continue reading "A Reading Checklist"
As a parent, you can learn a lot about your child's learning and watch for signs of possible problems. Here are some things to look for and to discuss with his teacher:...
Continue reading "Watching Your Child Progress with Reading"
There is a law—the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA—that may allow you to get certain services for your child from your school district....
Continue reading "There is a Law"
Your child may resist being read to or joining with you in the activities in this booklet. If so, keep trying the activities, but keep them playful....
Continue reading "If You Think There's a Problem"
Many children enjoy TV, and they can learn from it. Keep in mind, though, that young children often imitate what they see, good or bad. It's up to you to decide how much TV and what kinds of shows your...
Continue reading "Taking Charge of TV"
Parents Guide to the Internet published by the U.S. Department of Education, 1997. (call toll-free 1-877-4ED-PUBS to request a free copy, or order online at http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html)....
Continue reading "Useful Computer Resources for Reading"
If you don't have a computer at home, ask your librarian if you and your child may use one of the library's computers....
Continue reading "Finding and Using a Computer for Reading"
Computers can't replace the reading and writing activities discussed earlier in this booklet. But computers can support what these activities teach your child....
Continue reading "Learning to Read with Computers"
Babies and toddlers. Many libraries have group story hours that are short and geared to the attention spans of the children....
Continue reading "Supervised Story Times"
Visiting the Library Libraries offer more than books. They are places of learning and discovery for everyone. Ask at the library about getting a library card in your child's name and, if you don't already have one, get a card...
Continue reading "Other Ways to Help Your Child with Reading"
For children ages 3 to 6 Reading and writing support each other. The more your child does of each, the better she will be at both....
Continue reading "Write On!"
For children ages 3 to 6 Telling family stories lets your child know about the people who are important to him. They also give him an idea of how one thing leads to another in a story....
Continue reading "Family Stories"
For children ages 3 to 6 When your child acts out a poem or story, she shows her own understanding of what it is about. She also grows as a reader by connecting emotions with written words....
Continue reading "Take a Bow!"
For children ages 3 to 6 Listening for and saying sounds in words will help your child to learn that spoken words are made up of sounds, which gets him ready to match spoken sounds to written letters—an important first...
Continue reading "Match My Sounds"
For children ages 3 to 6 Rhyming activities help your child to pay attention to the sounds in words....
Continue reading "Rhyme with Me: It's Fun, You'll See!"
For children ages 3 to 6 Books that have no words, just beautiful pictures, invite you and your child to use your imaginations to make up your own stories to go with the pictures....
Continue reading "A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words"
For children ages 2 to 6 Starting a home library for your child shows her how important books are. Having books of her own in a special place boosts the chance that your child will want to read even more....
Continue reading "A Home for My Books"
For children ages 2 to 6 Books with words or actions that appear over and over help your child to predict or tell what happens next. These are called "predictable" books. Your child will love to figure out the story...
Continue reading "What Happens Next?"
For children ages 2 to 6 Sharing the alphabet with your child helps her begin to recognize the shapes of letters and to link them with the sounds of spoken language. She will soon learn the difference between individual letters—what...
Continue reading "As Simple as ABC"
For children ages 1 to 6 Continue talking with your older child as you did with your baby. Talking helps him to develop language skills and lets him know that what he says is important....
Continue reading "Chatting with Children"
For babies from age 6 weeks to 1 year Sharing books is a way to have fun with your baby and to start him on the road to becoming a reader....
Continue reading "Books and Babies"
For babies from birth to 1 year Babies love hearing your voice. When you answer your child's sounds with sounds of your own, she learns that what she "says" has meaning and is important to you....
Continue reading "Baby Talk"
What follows are ideas for language-building activities that you can do with your child to help her build the skills she needs to become a reader. Most public libraries offer free use of books, magazines, videos, computers, and other services....
Continue reading "Reading Activities"
If your child's first language is not English, she can still become an excellent English reader and writer. She is on her way to successful English reading if she is beginning to learn many words and is interested in learning...
Continue reading "Reading in Another Language"
Writing and reading go hand in hand. As your child is learning one, he is learning the other. You can do certain things to make sure that he gets every opportunity to practice both....
Continue reading "Early Efforts To Write"
Children are fascinated by how books look and feel. They see how easily you handle and read books, and they want to do the same....
Continue reading "How Does a Book Work?"
When you take your child to the library, check out a book for yourself. Then set a good example by letting your child see you reading for yourself....
Continue reading "Show Your Child That You Read"
The books that you pick to read with your child are very important. If you aren't sure of what books are right for your child, ask a librarian to help you choose titles. (For more information on what libraries have...
Continue reading "Look for Books!"
From the earliest days, talk with your child about what you are reading. You might point to pictures and name what is in them....
Continue reading "What Does It Mean?"
Imagine sitting your baby in your lap and reading a book to him for the first time. How different from just talking!...
Continue reading "Reading Together"
Scientists who study the brain have found out a great deal about how we learn. They have discovered that babies learn much more from the sights and sounds around them than we thought previously. You can help your baby by...
Continue reading "Talking and Listening"
Every step a child takes toward learning to read leads to another. Bit by bit, the child builds the knowledge that is necessary for being a reader. Over their first 6 years, most children:...
Continue reading "Becoming a Reader"
Keep in mind, however, that children don't all learn at the same pace. And even though they learn new things, they may have "old favorites"—books and activities from earlier years—that they still enjoy. You are the best person to decide...
Continue reading "Reading: Introduction 4"
The major portion of the website contains activities that you can use with your child to strengthen her language skills and encourage her love of reading. However, these activities are only a starting point. We hope that you and your...
Continue reading "Reading: Introduction 3"
You could say that your baby starts on the road to becoming a reader on the day she is born and first hears the sounds of your voice. Every time you speak to her, sing to her, and respond to...
Continue reading "Reading: Introduction 2"
Years of research show clearly that children are more likely to succeed in learning when their families actively support them. When you and other family members read with your children, help them with homework, talk with their teachers, and participate...
Continue reading "Reading: Introduction 1"
Camps that focus on many different fields of science and technology are available across the country for children of elementary school age and up. Some of the organizations listed in the section above may provide information. In addition, check the...
Continue reading "Science Camps"
The following websites are some of the many that contain great links for both you and your child, in addition to the federal websites. Most of these listings provide information about how to search for specific information and links to...
Continue reading "Science Websites"
Through the Internet, your child can have access to a vast array of science resources. Many of these resources are both educational and entertaining. Others, however, are inappropriate for children or provide inaccurate information. Here are some suggestions for helping...
Continue reading "Science on the Internet"
Even though the quality of the science programming seen on TV varies a lot, some programs are able to provide accurate science information in a way that both informs children and captures and holds their interest....
Continue reading "Science on TV"
Children don't need fancy science toys or kits to learn science. However, if you want to buy them for your child, you'll find that toy stores, hobby shops and science specialty shops have a large selection of kits and toys...
Continue reading "Science Toys"
Ask. Cobblestone Publishing Company. Toll-free: (800) 821-0115. www.cobblestonepub.com. (grades 2-4)...
Continue reading "Science Magazines for Children"
Cobb, Vicky. Don't Try This at Home! Science Fun for Kids on the Go. New York: Harper Trophy, 1998. (P)...
Continue reading "Science Activities and Science Fair Project Books"
Adler, David A. How Tall, How Short, How Far Away. New York: Holiday House, 1999. (P)...
Continue reading "Physical Science, Engineering and Technology Books"
Arnold, Caroline. Animals That Migrate. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda, 1982. (P)...
Continue reading "Life Science Books"
January, Brendan. Science in the Renaissance. Danbury, CT: Franklin Watts/Grolier, 1999. (E)...
Continue reading "The History and Nature of Science Books"
Aulenbach, Nancy Holler and Barton, Hazel A., with Delano, Marfé Ferguson. Exploring Caves: Journeys Into the Earth. Washington, DC: National Geographic Society, 2001. (E)...
Continue reading "Earth Science Books"
Allan, Jerry and Allan, Georgiana. The Horse and the Iron Ball: A Journey Through Time, Space, and Technology. Minneapolis: Lerner, 2000. (E)...
Continue reading "Astronomy and Space Science Books"
Aliki. Digging Up Dinosaurs. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1981. (P)...
Continue reading "Archaeology, Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Times Books"
Baeuerle, Patrick and Landa, Norbert. The Cell Works: Microexplorers: An Expedition Into the Fantastic World of Cells. New York: Barrons Juveniles, 1997. (E)...
Continue reading "Anatomy and Medicine Books"
Libraries and bookstores now have available an enormous number of excellent science-related books for children. When making selections, you may want to consider questions that the National Science Teachers Association uses in evaluating books. For instance:...
Continue reading "Science Books for Children"
American Association for the Advancement of Science. A Family Guide to Science. Washington, DC, 2003. (Available online at www.scienceeverywhere.org)...
Continue reading "Science Publications for Parents"
Federal Sources of Information...
Continue reading "Science Resources-Federal"
Research has shown that children at all grade levels do better in school, feel more confident about themselves as learners and have higher expectations for themselves when their parents are supportive of and involved with their education. Here are some...
Continue reading "Working With Science Teachers and Schools"
Many communities have groups and organizations that include science programs as part of their services for children. Some may sponsor local summer science camps—focusing on areas that range from computers and technology to natural science to space. Check out, for...
Continue reading "Community Science Groups and Organizations"
Your child may recognize that many people use science to do their jobs—chemists, doctors, science teachers, computer technicians and engineers, for example. However, she may not realize that many other jobs also require science skills....
Continue reading "Science at Work"
A visit to a farm can be a wonderful trip for you and your child. If you don't know a farmer, ask for a referral from your county extension office, farm bureau or local agriculture office....
Continue reading "Farms"
Planetariums have wonderful exhibits and activities for youngsters. There are over 1,000 planetariums in the United States, ranging from small ones that hold about 20 people to giant facilities with hundreds of seats. These facilities are particularly useful for children...
Continue reading "Planetariums and Aquariums"
In museums, both you and your child can have fun and learn science together. Science and technology museums, natural history museums and children's museums can be found in many middle-sized and smaller communities, as well as in large cities....
Continue reading "Museums"
Zoos are great places for you to encourage your child's interest in the natural world and to introduce him to exotic animals that he might not otherwise ever see. Here are a few suggestions to help make your visit to...
Continue reading "Zoos"
Our communities offer many opportunities and resources to help children learn science, including: Zoos, Museums, Planetariums, Aquariums, Farms, Science at Work, Community Groups & Organizations and Other Community Resources...
Continue reading "Science in the Community — Activities"
All ages Making cakes is an enjoyable way to help children of all ages learn about chemical reactions and change....
Continue reading "Let 'Em Make Cake!"
Grades 4 and 5 A crystal is a special kind of solid. Growing crystals introduces children to change and variation....
Continue reading "Crystals"
Grades 3 and up A few seeds and household plants can teach children about cause and effect and change....
Continue reading "Plants"
Grades 3 and up Here are some great hands-on ways to learn about static electricity....
Continue reading "Hair-Raising Results"
Grades 2–3 This activity introduces children to the scientific concepts of volume and measurement....
Continue reading "Splish Splash"
Grades 2–3 Adhesives are used to stick things together. Many adhesives occur in nature and have important uses for plants and animals....
Continue reading "Icky Sticky Stuff"
Grades 1–2 Capillary action is the name for the process that takes place when a paper towel soaks up a spilled liquid or when a plant transfers water from its roots to its leaves....
Continue reading "Celery Stalks at Midnight"
Grades 1–2 When one object moves against another, the result is friction....
Continue reading "Slime Time"
Kindergarten–Grade 1 Learning to make and test predictions is a good first step toward making and testing hypotheses....
Continue reading "Float or Sink?"
Kindergarten–Grade 1 Children can improve their understanding of the natural world and their classification skills by observing bugs....
Continue reading "Bugs!"
Preschool–Kindergarten Children can learn more about surface tension and about change just by blowing bubbles!...
Continue reading "Bubbles"
Preschool–Kindergarten These simple activities demonstrate surface tension....
Continue reading "Breaking the Tension"
Your home is a great place for you to begin to explore science with your child. Incorporating science activities and language into familiar routines will show your child how science works in his everyday life and provide him with a...
Continue reading "Science in the Home - Science Walk"
Children learn by doing, by trying new ideas and challenging old ones. This doesn't just happen in school. You can help your child learn by providing him with safe, interesting learning experiences in a supportive atmosphere....
Continue reading "Science Activities"
Science fiction writer Isaac Asimov describes science as a "way of thinking." It is a way to look at the world that involves special principles of conduct, and the early years of elementary school are a good time to start...
Continue reading "Scientific Integrity"
It's hard for children to understand evolution (how things change over time) and equilibrium (how things attain a steady and balanced state of being). During these early years, you can, however, talk about how things change over time and point...
Continue reading "Evolution and Equilibrium"
Checklist for Helping Your Child With Homework...
Continue reading "Checklist for Helping Your Child With Homework"
Federal Sources of Assistance If Your Child Has a Learning Disability...
Continue reading "Federal Sources of Assistance - Learning Disabilities"
The following publications provide more information about how to help your child with homework....
Continue reading "Homework Help Resources"
Homework problems often can be avoided when families and caregivers value, monitor and guide their children's work on assignments. Sometimes, however, helping in these ways is not enough. If you have problems, here are some suggestions for how to deal...
Continue reading "How to Help: Talk with Teachers to Resolve Problems"
The basic rule is, "Don't do the assignments yourself." It's not your homework—it's your child's. "I've had kids hand in homework that's in their parents' handwriting," one eighth-grade teacher complains. Doing assignments for your child won't help him understand and...
Continue reading "How to Help: Provide Guidance"
Children are more likely to complete homework successfully when parents monitor their assignments. How closely you need to monitor your child depends upon her age, how independent she is and how well she does in school. Whatever the age of...
Continue reading "How to Help: Monitor Assignments"
Be Interested and Interesting Make time to take your child to the library to check out materials needed for homework (and for enjoyment) and read with your child as often as you can....
Continue reading "Be Interested and Interesting"
Set a Good Example Show your child that the skills he is learning are an important part of the things he will do as an adult....
Continue reading "Set a Good Example"
Provide Supplies and Identify Resources Have available pencils, pens, erasers, writing paper and a dictionary. Other supplies that might be helpful include a stapler, paper clips, maps, a calculator, a pencil sharpener, tape, glue, paste, scissors, a ruler, a calculator,...
Continue reading "Provide Supplies and Identify Resources"
Pick a Place Your child's homework area doesn't have to be fancy. A desk in the bedroom is nice, but for many children, the kitchen table or a corner of the living room works just fine. The area should have...
Continue reading "Pick a Place and Remove Distractions"
Having a regular time to do homework helps children to finish assignments. The best schedule is one that works for your child and your family. What works well in one household may not work in another. Of course, a good...
Continue reading "Set a Regular Time for Homework"
How to Help: Show That You Think Education and Homework Are Important...
Continue reading "How to Help with Homework"
The right amount of homework depends on the age and skills of the child....
Continue reading "Basics - What's the Right Amount of Homework?"
Homework helps your child do better in school when the assignments are meaningful, are completed successfully and are returned to her with constructive comments from the teacher....
Continue reading "Basics - Does Homework Help Children Learn?"
Before discussing ways that you can help your child with homework, it is important to discuss why teachers assign homework and how it benefits your child....
Continue reading "Basics - Why Do Teachers Assign Homework?"
Homework is an opportunity for children to learn and for families to be involved in their children's education. However, helping children with homework isn't always easy. At parent-teacher meetings and in conferences with parents, teachers often hear questions such as:...
Continue reading "Homework: A Concern for the Whole Family"
Appleseeds 800-821-0115 (www.cobblestonepub.com) Contains articles, activities and games that develop skills and interest in various content areas, including geography and U.S. history. (Ages 7 and up)...
Continue reading "Children's History Magazines"
Preschool-Grade 2 Doherty, Gillian and Claybourne, Anna. The Usborne Book of Peoples of the World. Usborne Publishing....
Continue reading "Geography and Reference Books"
Preschool-Grade 2 Atwell, Debby. Pearl. Walter Lorraine Books/Houghton Mifflin. Barnes, Peter. Marshall, the Courthouse Mouse: A Tail of the U. S. Supreme Court. Vacation Spot Publishing....
Continue reading "Historical Fiction, Drama, and Poetry Books"
Preschool-Grade 2 Bauer, Susan Wise. The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volume 1: Ancient Times. Peace Hill Press....
Continue reading "World History, Culture and Biography Books"
Preschool-Grade 2 Adler, David A. A Picture Book of Sacagawea. Holiday House. Bateman, Teresa. Red, White, Blue, and Uncle Who? The Stories Behind Some of America's Patriotic Symbols. Holiday House....
Continue reading "American History, Culture and Biography Books"
The following is only a sampling of the many excellent books about people, events, and issues in American and world history and geography that your child might enjoy....
Continue reading "History Books for Children"
American Federation of Teachers. (2001). Helping Your Child Succeed: How Parents & Families Can Communicate Better with Teachers and School Staff. Washington, D.C. (available online at www.aft.org/parentpage/communicating/index.html.) American Library Association. (2002). Libraries, Children and the Internet. Chicago, IL. (Available online...
Continue reading "History Publications for Parents"
The following websites contain great links for both you and your child. Most provide you and your child with information about how to search for specific information and with links to other age-appropriate sites....
Continue reading "History Websites"
Educator's Reference Desk www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/res.cgi/Subjects/Social_Studies...
Continue reading "History Resources: Federal Sources"
Meet with your child's teacher. Schedule an appointment and ask how your child approaches history. Does she enjoy it? Does she participate actively? Does she understand assignments and do them accurately? If the teacher indicates that your child has problems,...
Continue reading "Working With Teachers and Schools 2"
Research has shown that children at all grade levels do better in school, feel more confident about themselves as learners and have higher expectations for themselves when their parents are supportive of and involved with their education. Here are some...
Continue reading "Working With Teachers and Schools 1"
Grades 4-5 Many children don't like to study history in school because they are asked to memorize so many dates and names. Parents can help—and make learning more enjoyable—by using games to reinforce what their children are learning in history...
Continue reading "It's in the Cards"
Grades 4-5 On quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies is written the phrase "E pluribus unum," which is Latin for "Out of many, one." It is an appropriate phrase to describe how our country has developed and the many different people...
Continue reading "Time to Celebrate"
Grades 4-5 A history web is a way of connecting people and events....
Continue reading "Weave a Web"
Grades 3-5 Reenactments of historical battles or periods, such as colonial times, make our nation's history come alive—and get children involved....
Continue reading "The Past Anew"
Grades 2-5 The stories of history have beginnings, middles and ends that show events and suggest causes and effects. Making personal timelines can help children understand these elements. They allow children to use events in their own lives to gain...
Continue reading "Time Marches On"
Grades 1-3 History depends on writing, and writing has changed over time from scratches on clay to digitalized codes and letters....
Continue reading "Quill Pens & Berry Ink"
Kindergarten-Grade 3 Collecting things from their lifetimes and putting them in a time capsule is a history lesson that children will never forget....
Continue reading "Put Time in a Bottle"
Kindergarten-Grade 3 A good way to introduce children to history is to let them know how school—a main focus of their lives—has changed over the years....
Continue reading "School Days"
The essential elements of history as time are chronology, empathy and context....
Continue reading "History as Time — Activities"
Grades 3-5 Visiting the historical places that children read about in their history books reinforces for them that history is about real people, places and events....
Continue reading "History on the Go"
Grades 3-5 What's new today really began in the past. Discussing the news is a way to help children gain a historical perspective on the events of the present....
Continue reading "What's News?"
Grades 3-5 In order to talk and learn about places, and to locate themselves and others in terms of place, children need to understand and be able to name geographic directions....
Continue reading "In the Right Direction"
Grades 3-5 A good place for children to begin to develop an interest in history is to find out the history of where they live....
Continue reading "All About Our Town"
Grades 3-5 Local newspapers, phone books and other handy resources can serve as guides to local history. Teaching children how to use them gives them a great tool for finding many sources of information....
Continue reading "Learning How to Learn"
Grades 3-5 Heroes are everywhere. Sharing stories about them with children can help them understand that heroes come from many different walks of life and that their courageous acts occur in many different places and times....
Continue reading "Our Heroes!"
Grades 1-3 Younger children find making rubbings great fun. Cornerstones and plaques are interesting, and even coins will do....
Continue reading "Rub Against History"
Kindergarten-Grade 5 Every culture has its version of bread. Children enjoy making this Native American fry bread. (Check the Resource sections of this website for books that contain other recipes from history.)...
Continue reading "Cooking Up History"
Preschool-Grade 5 At living history museums children can see people doing the work of blacksmiths, tin workers, shoemakers, weavers and others. They can see how things used to be made and learn how work and daily life have changed over...
Continue reading "History Lives"
Preschool-Grade 5 Good history is a story well told. Through storytelling, children are introduced to what's involved in writing the stories that make history. They begin to understand that different people may tell the same story in different ways....
Continue reading "What's the Story?"
Preschool-Grade 1 A great way for young children to develop an interest in history is for parents to make books with history themes a part of their reading-aloud routines....
Continue reading "Listen My Children"
The essential elements of history as story are records, narration and evidence....
Continue reading "History as Story — Activities"
Activities for children in preschool through grade 5 The activities in this section are arranged into two groups that reflect the meanings of history as story and time. Each group is preceded by a review of three elements of story...
Continue reading "History Activities"
Geography affects history: just look at the dramatic changes in world geography over recent years. Governments change, and new countries are born. Many countries no longer have the same names they did even five years ago. Climate changes bring about...
Continue reading "Basics: Geography: An Important Tool for Learning and Understanding History"
Studying history is more than memorizing names and dates. Although it's important for citizens to know about great people and events, the enjoyment of history is often found in a "story well told." Here are some suggestions to make the...
Continue reading "Basics: A New Look at the Study of History"
"Once upon a time . . . " That opening for many favorite children's tales captures the two main meanings of history—it's the story of people and events, and it's the record of times past. To better understand what history...
Continue reading "Basics: What Is History?"
The major portion of this site is made up of activities that you can use with your child to strengthen his history knowledge and build strong positive attitudes toward history. And you don't have to be a historian or have...
Continue reading "How to Use This History Website"
As a parent, you can help your child want to learn in a way no one else can. That desire to learn is a key to your child's success, and, of course, enjoyment is an important motivator for learning. As...
Continue reading "Enjoying History With Your Child"
Habits are activities that we do on a regular basis. We acquire habits by choosing to make them a part of our life. It's worth the time and effort to develop good habits because they enhance our well-being. The following...
Continue reading "History Habits"
Many Web sites provide information and reviews that you can use to select the best mathematics software for your child. Here are just a few of those Web sites:...
Continue reading "Math Resources: Math Software"
Grades 3-5...
Continue reading "Math Resources: Books for Children, Grades 3-5"
The following is only a sampling of the many available math-related children's books that your child might enjoy. Please ask your local or school librarian to help you find other appropriate titles. Many of books listed here are also available...
Continue reading "Math Resources: Books for Children, Preschool-Grade 2"
Children are born into history. They have no memory of it, yet they find themselves in the middle of a story that began before they became one of its characters. Children also want to have a place in history—their first...
Continue reading "Introduction to History 2"
Apelman, Maja and King, Julie. (1993). Exploring Everyday Math: Ideas for Students, Teachers, and Parents. Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Heinemann.
Barber, Jacqueline, Parizeau, Nicole, Bergman, Lincoln and Lima, Patricia. (2002).
Spark Your Child's Success in Math and Science: Practical Advice for Parents. Berkeley, California: Great Explorations in Math and Science.
Continue reading "Math Resources: Publications for Parents"
In addition to the federal sources listed above, the following Web sites contain great links for both you and your child:...
Continue reading "Math Resources: Web Sites"
Federal Sources of Information...
Continue reading "Math Resources: Federal"
If you have not seen it, ask to look at the No Child Left Behind Report Card for your school. These report cards show how your school compares to others in the district and indicate how well it is succeeding....
Continue reading "No Child Left Behind Report Card"
Here are some things that you can do to help your child be a successful mathematics student:...
Continue reading "Helping Your Child Succeed as a Mathematics Student"
As a result of recent efforts to strengthen the mathematics curricula in our nation's schools, from basic through more advanced levels, the instruction that you can see in your child's mathematics classes may look quite a bit different from what...
Continue reading "What Does Effective Mathematics Instruction Look Like?"
Algebra: A form of advanced arithmetic in which letters of the alphabet represent unknown numbers. Children use simple algebra when they solve a problem such as 4 + ? =7 (a problem they would phrase as "4 + x = 7" when they get older and begin to study algebra).
Continue reading "Math Glossary"
Variations for All Grades Learning to use the special functions of calculators can expand children's knowledge of many arithmetic operations, help them to recognize number patterns and increase their ability to reason mathematically....
Continue reading "Calculated Answers"
Variations for All Grades Games with number cards can help children develop strategies for using numbers in different combinations by adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing....
Continue reading "Card Smarts"
Grades 2-5 Playing games that involve chance is one way to introduce children to the meaning of probability....
Continue reading "What Are My Chances?"
Grades 2-5 Using mathematical reasoning skills to figure out the unknown is good preparation for understanding algebra....
Continue reading "What Coins Do I Have?"
Grades 1-5 Learning to use a calculator can help children understand and apply estimation and mathematical reasoning skills, as well as learn addition, subtraction, division and multiplication....
Continue reading "Open for Business"
Kindergarten-Grade 2 Games give children a chance to use math skills and math language in a non-threatening situation....
Continue reading "Guess What I'm Thinking"
Preschool-Kindergarten Counting games make developing number sense easy and fun....
Continue reading "Count It Out"
Preschool Playing with blocks is fun, but it also can teach basic math skills such as number recognition, counting, identifying patterns, recognizing symmetry and sorting....
Continue reading "A Tower of Numbers"
During summer vacations, on rainy days, while waiting at the doctor's office or on a stroll through the neighborhood, learning never ends....
Continue reading "Mathematics for the Fun of It — Activities"
Grades 1-5 Putting away groceries helps children develop classifying and mathematical reasoning skills and the ability to analyze data....
Continue reading "Put It Away"
Grades 3-4 The checkout lane of a grocery store can be a good place for children to practice using mental math by estimating the cost of groceries and figuring out change....
Continue reading "Check It Out"
Grades 3-4 Grocery shopping offers opportunities for children to increase their estimation and measurement skills by choosing and weighing fruit and vegetables....
Continue reading "Weighing In"
Grades 1-2 Coupons can be used to help children learn the value of money as well as to let them show off their addition and subtraction skills....
Continue reading "Clip and Save"
Kindergarten-Grade 1 Grocery shopping offers opportunities to let children apply a range of mathematics skills, including data collection and estimation....
Continue reading "Ready, Set, Shop!"
The grocery store is one of the best examples of a place where the ability to use mathematics is put to work in the "real world." It's a great place to practice measurement and estimation and to learn about volume...
Continue reading "One Potato, Two Potatoes"
Grades 3-5 A shape is symmetrical if it can be cut along a straight line into two halves that are mirror images of each other. Learning about symmetry gives children a good sense of geometric principles and calls on their...
Continue reading "Simply Symmetrical"
Grades 2-3 In introducing children to the concept of fractions—numbers that aren't whole numbers (such as 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4)—it's often a good idea to use objects that they can see and touch....
Continue reading "Fraction Action"
Grades 2-3 Introducing children to statistics and data analysis can begin by having them collect information, analyze it and describe or present their findings in an organized way....
Continue reading "Tracking Time"
Grades 1-2 Filling empty containers provides opportunities to explore geometric concepts such as "more or less" and volume, and to apply measurement skills....
Continue reading "Fill It Up"
Kindergarten-Grade 1 Newspapers are good resources for building number sense and arithmetic skills and using mathematical reasoning....
Continue reading "In the News(paper)"
Kindergarten-Grade 1 Once children begin school, math-related activities at home can help to reinforce what they are learning about numbers and arithmetic operations such as addition and subtraction, as well as reinforce classification skills and mathematical reasoning....
Continue reading "Treasure Hunt"
Kindergarten-Grade 1 Observing, estimating, weighing and comparing are all essential mathematics skills....
Continue reading "A-Weigh We Go!"
Preschool-Kindergarten Using objects that are familiar to young children can be a good way to introduce them to differences in shapes and to classification....
Continue reading "Shape Up"
Preschool-Kindergarten Sorting and matching activities introduce young children to many mathematical operations, including classification and measurement....
Continue reading "Sort It Out"
Preschool-Kindergarten Young children may not recognize that numbers are all around them. Pointing out numbers on everyday items increases their number sense....
Continue reading "Find It"
Preschool-Kindergarten Ordinary activities can be used to reinforce young children's number sense and introduce them to arithmetic operations such as addition and subtraction....
Continue reading "Walk and Count"
Preschool By counting, using number names and learning to recognize differences in number values, children build a foundation for the development of number sense and mathematical reasoning....
Continue reading "Number Hunt"
Preschool Young children love to hear, sing and say nursery rhymes and songs. Counting rhymes and songs can be both enjoyable for them and introduce them to basic mathematics concepts, such as number names and number sequence....
Continue reading "Rhyme and Sing"
Your home is a great place for you to begin to explore and "talk" mathematics with your child....
Continue reading "Mathematics in the Home — Activities"
Grades 3-5 An important mathematical concept for children to learn is the relationship between two quantities such as miles per hour or cost per gallon....
Continue reading "Ease on Down the Road"
Grades 2-4 Licenses plates can be used to reinforce children's understanding of the language of mathematics as well as their mathematical reasoning abilities....
Continue reading "License Plate Special"
Grades 2-4 License plates can be used both to help children develop their knowledge of numbers and as an introduction to algebra....
Continue reading "License Plate Riddles"
Scientists test the explanations they come up with, and the results of their tests are evidence on which to base their explanations. Sometimes they call their explanations "theories" or "models" or "hypotheses". Children can test their theories about the world...
Continue reading "Evidence, Models and Explanations"
Children can be introduced gradually to basic scientific concepts that will provide a framework for understanding and connecting many scientific facts and observations. In this website, we will focus on five concepts and processes taken from the National Science Education...
Continue reading "Unifying Concepts and Processes"
Different children have different interests and will respond differently to science activities. A sand and rock collection that was a big hit with an 8-year-old daughter may not be a big hit with a 6-year-old son....
Continue reading "Finding the Right Activity for Your Child"
Investigating and experimenting are great ways for children to learn science and increase their understanding of scientific ideas. Hands-on science can also help children think critically and gain confidence in their own ability to solve problems. Young children especially are...
Continue reading "Hands-On Works Well"
As mentioned earlier, it's important to encourage your child to ask questions. It's also important to ask your child questions that will get him talking about his ideas and to listen carefully to his answers. Keep in mind that children's...
Continue reading "Asking Questions"
In everyday interactions with your child, you can do many things—and do them without lecturing or applying pressure—to help her learn science. Here are a few ideas:...
Continue reading "Science Introduction 2"
As a parent, you are preparing your child for a world vastly different from the one in which you grew up. Our increasingly technological society will need citizens who have received far more advanced instruction in science and technology than...
Continue reading "Science Introduction 1"
Kindergarten-Grade 3 Traveling provides children with lots of opportunities to practice number recognition as well as counting skills....
Continue reading "Number Search"
Kindergarten-Grade 2 Children develop positive attitudes toward math when they see that their parents and families value it. Find ways to show that you enjoy math. Let your child see you using math not only for routine activities, such as...
Continue reading "Are We There Yet?"
Preschool Show children that you use math skills by "thinking out loud" as you do things such as measuring distances on a map: "Let's see, it's five miles to Jackson and then three miles from Jackson to Albany, so that's...
Continue reading "Off We Go"
The activities in this section are arranged into four categories: Mathematics in the Home, Mathematics at the Grocery Store, Mathematics on the Go and Mathematics for the Fun of It. For each activity, you'll see a grade span—from preschool through...
Continue reading "Math Activities"
You can help your child learn math by offering her insights into how to approach math. She will develop more confidence in her math ability if she understands the following points:...
Continue reading "Important Things to Know About Math"
In everyday interactions with children, there are many things that parents can do—and do without lecturing or applying pressure—to help children learn to solve problems, to communicate mathematically and to demonstrate reasoning abilities. These skills are fundamental to learning mathematics....
Continue reading "Being a Math Problem Solver"
What kind of attitude do you have toward math? Do you believe that math skills are important job and life skills? Do you see math as useful in everyday life? Or do you dread doing things that involve math—figuring out...
Continue reading "Your Math Attitude"
We know from research that children are more likely to be successful learners of any subject when parents actively support their learning. Today, helping children to make the effort to learn, appreciate and master mathematics is more important than ever....
Continue reading "Introduction to Math"
Imagine that you wake up one morning to find out you have no memory! You're not able to remember who you are or what happened in your life yesterday or the day before that. You're unable to recognize your children,...
Continue reading "Introduction to History 1"
Research shows clearly that children are more likely to succeed in learning when their families actively support them. When family members read with their children, talk with their teachers, participate in school or other learning activities and help them with...
Continue reading "Introduction to Homework Help"
Very young children can come up with many interesting explanations to make sense of the world around them. When asked about the shape of the earth, for example, some will explain that the earth has to be flat because, if...
Continue reading "Children Have Their Own Scientific Concepts"
Science is not just a collection of facts. Of course, facts are an important part of science: Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (or 0 degrees Celsius), and the earth moves around the sun. But science is much, much more. Science involves:
Continue reading "What Is Science?"
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