June 2008

Can you believe it? Your child’s first grade year has come to an end! Wow…time sure does fly by! Like I have said in many newsletters, your child has made tremendous gains in each subject area! I am so proud of the improvements I have seen in Reading and Math this year! Your child walked into first grade knowing how to read and write only a handful of words, and now, your child is reading and writing fluently with confidence! Please allow your child to continue to grow this summer. Each subject area is important in first grade, but Reading/Language Arts, and Math have top priority. Below, you will see some suggestions to help your child continue to grow academically this summer:

Reading/Language Arts:

Check to see if the public library has an incentive program for children to encourage them to read during the summer months. Getting your child involved in a book club, or summer reading program will help him/her not to fall behind.

Find books that have an audiotape, and an accompanying book. Set your child up in a quiet room with headphones, and have him/her follow along with the tape. Allow your child to discuss the book with you, and encourage comprehension discussion. This will help your child with the “wh” questions: ‘Who’, ‘What’, ‘Where’, ‘When’, and ‘Why’.

Be sure that your child reads every day over the summer! It may seem like a lot, but it will make the transition to second grade much easier!

Be sure that your child practices handwriting as well. Again, the more practice, the easier it becomes!

Math:

Increase your child's awareness of numbers by looking around the house to find examples: the kitchen clock, the calendar, a cereal box, etc. Boost your child's awareness of how numbers are used by pointing out the movie times, weather forecasts, and sports information in your daily newspaper.

Practice your child’s addition/subtraction math facts on a daily basis. You can make a fun game out of it by using flashcards, the game memory, computer games, etc. Set a goal for your child, and then reward him/her once they reach that goal.

I have really enjoyed being your child’s teacher this year! I have confidence that the skills taught to your child this year, and the skills you will reinforce over the summer months will prepare your child greatly for second grade! I wish each of you a fun, and safe summer!