Readiness Corner for June 30, 2008
Welcome to the first feature at the Learning Nook! The Readiness Corner is a series of ideas to use with your young child as you share stories and learn together. Watch for fun ways to help your little one grow and learn and get ready for school in the next year or two.
Reading aloud is more than simply saying the words, you know. For your child to get the most possible benefit, you BOTH need to be actively engaged. As the reading adult, you need to be excited and into the story. Your child needs to be attending and interacting with the book. It’s not enough just to repeat the words and hope your child is absorbing them. Here are suggestions:
Be sure to read the words exactly as printed! No fair shortening the story because you’re in a hurry or because you’re a bit bored. The repetition of the same words that match the print will help your child understand that print is a permanent way of communicating. If you change things around, this vital concept will take longer to develop and your child will be at a distinct disadvantage in school.
Stop and ask questions along the way. Ask what will happen next or recall what already happened in the story. Ask about the pictures and ask about the characters. When you involve your child like this, you will be boosting listening comprehension and you will be laying the foundation for understanding printed material in the future.
Play with the words a bit. Stop at the end of a rhyming line and see if your child can fill in the correct word or any word that rhymes. Ask him or her to find words that start with B or end with M on a page. Let your child say the repeated part of the book when you pause at the appropriate point. When sharing a familiar book, sneak a totally nonsensical word into the end and then the middle of a line, like “Mary had a little HAM” or “Little Boy RED, come blow your horn”. See if your child notices the change, and laugh about it together.
Above all, keep reading fun and light-hearted. If your youngster isn’t in the mood to listen or play with you right then, don’t push. Also remember that some children, especially active ones, may want to listen while they do other things, such as play with blocks. Just pause occasionally to check to see if they are attending from across the room. HAVE FUN!
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© 2008 Sandra Fleming
Tutoring Services for Summer
Amazing as it sounds, I offer online tutoring services! It’s actually a great way to get your child’s skills up to snuff for fall, or a wonderful way to occupy a kid who needs a bit of enrichment. If you are interested in online tutorial services, please drop me a note and I’ll update you about rates and terms. It’s all very reasonable, starting at $5.00 US. Hope to hear from you soon!
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Practice Math Facts with a Bit of Rhythm!
Many people learn best with music or a beat, and children are no exception as they try to memorize those pesky old math facts. Try this neat trick to help your child or student stick those facts this summer.
Get a ball that you can bounce and play catch with, like a playground ball or a basket ball. Dribble the ball and bounce it one time for each number, the operation sign and the word “equals”. Toss the ball to a partner when you say the answer to the fact.
Here’s how it sounds: “One” (bounce) “times” (bounce) “four” (bounce) “equals” (bounce) “FOUR!” (toss).
Pick up speed as you practice and your child will be a whiz at the math facts in no time!
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© 2008 Sandy Fleming
The Learning Nook Forum is Up and Running!
I’ve always wanted to do this! I’ve finally got a forum going where parents, teachers, literacy workers, homeschoolers, and anyone else who is interested in education or has questions can gather and chat. I hope you’ll visit soon! I’m putting a link in the sidebar, but here’s one for now: The Learning Nook Forum.
Inaugural Tutors’ Roundtable Planned
I hope that all tutors with the Cass County Literacy Initiative can come over to my house (call for directions if you need them!) for the first Tutors’ Roundtable meeting on Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 2:00 PM. We’ll chat about how things are going with your students, share concerns, and peruse my materials so you can find what you need. Hope to see you then and there!
Hello and Welcome!
I’m excited! This is the very first post in the Learning Nook. I’m planning to build a stellar education site that will provide parents, homeschoolers, and teachers with information about learning. I also hope to showcase my writing and professional products, as well as services that I offer related to education and learning.
I’m putting a more detailed biography in the About section, but briefly, I’m a special education teacher, private tutor, and a writer. I live in Michigan with my husband and rapidly growing-up daughters, a couple of dogs and cats, and a nice corner of rural life. When I’m not teaching or writing, I’m working on starting a local literacy organization, volunteering with Girl Scouts, helping with church things, reading fantasy fiction or mysteries, or making music. I abhor housework, and my home is never quite as neat as I would like. So if you come to visit, you’ll find a lived-in place with generally with lots of clutter.
How about you? I’d love to make new friends! Leave a comment and a way to contact you, and I’ll try to respond. Leave a blog or web address, and I’ll try to visit. Head on over to the Learning Nook Forum and see who’s hanging out. Ask questions, give answers, make friends and find support.
And most of all, please stop back again soon!
