As we near the end of the year, I would like to take time for one last communication as your child’s Second Grade teacher. I can’t thank you enough for all you did to contribute in very meaningful ways to your youngster’s success! Assisting with homework, corrections, practice, and review extend the school day beyond what a teacher can do. These will continue to be important ways to help for many years to come. Keep it up!
I also must thank you for the many donations you made throughout the school year You gave of your time and money, not to mention the supplies, (Kleenex, Zip-Lock bags, glue, egg cartons, crafts, etc.), and also mountains of party treats! We had so many moms and dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and even friends helping in the classroom, at parties, and on trips. All these contributions free us up to give more individual attention to YOUR child. An Especially Big Thank You goes out to Vision's Grandma, Mrs. Petrakis (Grandma Jan) for volunteering in the classroom countless times! Thanks again for a great year!
SUMMER SUGGESTIONS
Many of you have asked us for work the children can do during the vacation to keep their skills sharp. This can be a real challenge. Summer needs to be a time for children and families to play and work together. Worksheets are not a good idea as a general rule. The BEST things you can do are to find ways to show your child how adults use their reading and math skills in daily life. Here are some ideas:
*Give them the coupons at the grocery store and let them match them to the products.
*Point out the prices as the cash register adds up the bill.
*Let them see you balance the checkbook, pay bills, etc.
*Ask them to read the recipe aloud to as you cook (or the checklist as you pack for a trip, etc.)
*Have them watch for street signs as you drive.
*Give lots of opportunities to tell time and use money.
*Make sure they see the adult family members reading for pleasure (newspapers, magazines, books), and reading for a purpose (TV schedule, telephone book, maps, church bulletin, emails, hymn book, etc.) You read all the time. Maybe you never noticed!
*And remember, they will still love to have you read to them all the way through Middle School (in the tent, a chapter a night, in the car, while the other parent is driving, anytime).
*They should also be reading for enjoyment every day. Check out the post below, showing you a cool website which will help you choose books at your child's reading level for him/her to read independently this summer.
