Kent City Schools
TITLE I
Ap r i l 20 1 3
Vo lu m e 8 , Is su e 8
CONNECTIONS
Parent Resource Newsletter
Ways Parents Can Help their
Children Succeed in Math
the
Part of being a parent is helping kids
understand basic principles that will help
them succeed in school, including
mathematics. While this can seem like a
daunting task, using everyday objects, as
well as tools like flash cards, can be an
effective way to help your children learn
basic math skills they'll need to help them
succeed in the future.
Use Everyday Objects and Situations
You can reinforce any number of math skills by using household
objects to teach basic mathematical principles. You can even teach
your child math during meal time. Set out a certain number---say
five---of your child's favorite snack food, such as crackers, on your
child's plate and have her count them. Teach her the word "subtract"
or "minus" means to take away, and then take away two of the
crackers. Have your child count the crackers again. Teach her that
five minus two equals three. Look for opportunities all around you to
teach these basic math skills. When you're out picking up another
child from school, you can talk about addition. Have your child count
the number of people in the car before picking up your other child,
then again when he enters the car, for example.
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO
Helping Your Child Succeed in School
Math in Your Home
Below is a math activity you can use at home as an
opportunity to uncover math with your family.
How long does it take?
Explore time by asking your child to estimate and then time
how long it takes to complete different household activities
such as making a bed, setting the table, and taking out the
garbage, washing the dishes or walking around the house.
Which of your estimates were closest to the actual time?
Which were farthest away? Can you name an activity that
you think will take less than 5 minutes? Try it and see how
close you were. Think of an activity you estimate will take
10 minutes. Do it. What time did you start the activity and
what time did you finish?
Resource : Texas Instruments
----------------------------Did You Know ?
Earth Day, April 22nd
Earth Day 2013… The “Face
of Climate Change”
Teach About Money
Money is not only an effective way to teach basic math, but it helps
children understand more complicated principles like fractions. Lay
out a series of coins on the table, such as a penny, nickel, dime and
quarter. Talk about how much a penny is worth---1/100th of a dollar--and that one hundred pennies is the same thing as a dollar. Expand
the lesson to the other coins, such as how five pennies equal one
nickel, two nickels equal one dime, and so on. Write down an
amount of money on a piece of paper, and help your child collect the
proper coins in order to equal that amount.
Every year on April 22, more than
one billion people take part in Earth
Day. Across the globe, individuals,
communities, organizations, and
governments acknowledge the
amazing planet we call home and
take action to protect it.
Use Flash Cards
Some children are visual learners and may benefit by using flash
cards. These can be of great benefit to parents who haven't studied
their multiplication tables in several years, as well, as the answers
are usually on the back of the flash card. Spend time regularly with
your child using the flash cards to help him understand basic math
principles and memorize things like addition, subtraction and
multiplication. Flash cards are convenient because of their size,
meaning you can take them anywhere and pull them out for a quick
math practice session when the time is right.
Resource: Read more on FamilyEducation:
http://school.familyeducation.com/math/parenting/38812.html
Quote : The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
For more
information and
to become a
climate
reporter, go to
earthday.org/
2013/ and send
your pictures
and stories that
show “The Face
of Climate
Change”.
This year on April 22, 2013, more
than one billion people around the
world will take part in the 43rd
anniversary of Earth Day.
Communities everywhere will voice
their concerns for the planet, and
take action to protect it.
The “Face of Climate Change”
photo display movement is going on
now. Between now and Earth Day –
an interactive digital display will
aggregate user-submitted
photographs depicting people’s
concerns about climate change.
Then, it will be shown at Earth Day
events around the world.
Parent Resource Newsletter Page 2
This Month’s Family Activity
April is National Poetry Month. Inaugurated by the
Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry
Month is now held every April, when publishers,
booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and
poets around the country band together to celebrate
poetry and its vital place in American culture. Thousands
of businesses and non-profit organizations participate
through readings, festivals, book displays, workshops, and
other events. How can you as a family celebrate this
month? See below for one idea:
• Celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day - The idea is
simple: On Poem in Your Pocket Day; this year
celebrated on April 18th, 2013; select a poem you love
or one your family loves, carry it with you and share it
with others throughout the day. Share it with other
students, co-workers, family, and friends or have a
family poetry reading after dinner.
Poem In Your Pocket Day has been celebrated each April
in New York City since 2002, and nationwide since 2008.
Each year, parks, bookstores, workplaces, and other
venues burst with open readings of poems from pockets.
Resource: For more information, visit website:
http://www.poets.org
Kids Corner
Earth Day is a Birthday!! Just like a birthday is a
special day to celebrate a person, Earth Day is a special
day that celebrates the Earth. Every year, America and
over 100 different countries join together in the
celebration of Earth Day on April 22nd.. On Earth Day,
we remember to appreciate nature and learn ways to
protect our environment.
There are many books that celebrate the earth and
show you how to keep the earth clean and healthy. If
you want to learn more about Earth Day, here are just
a few books you can check out at your local library or
book store:
• Celebrating Earth Day (Circle the Year with Holidays),
written by Janet McDonnell and illustrated by Diana
Magnuson.
• Earth Day, written by Linda Lowery and illustrated by
Mary Bergherr.
• Every Day Is Earth Day: A Craft Book (Holiday Crafts
for Kids), written by Kathy Ross and illustrated by
Sharon Lane Holm.
• Mother Earth, written by Nancy Luenn and illustrated by
Neil Waldman.
• 365 Ways for You and Your Children to Save the Earth
One Day at a Time, written by Michael and Pat Hilton.
School News
OAA Testing
The spring Ohio Achievement Assessments (OAA) for
grades 3rd thru 5th will be administered the week of April
22nd thru May 2nd. The testing dates are listed below:
April 23rd – 5th Grd Reading / April 24th – 4th Grd Reading
April 25th – 3rd Grd Reading / April 26th – 4th Grd Math
April 30th – 5th Grd Math / May 1st – 3rd Grd Math
May 2nd – 5th Grd Science
Site Review
Resources available for Parents and Families:
Website for learning and fun—for kids and parents together-This month’s website to see is:
Earth Day 2013 - Looking for ways to celebrate Earth Day
2013? Discover Earth Day activities for kids including games, art
projects, crafts and other Earth Day ideas. And grown-ups can
find a range of Earth Day information, activities and events to
remind them of the importance of green living and sustainable
lifestyles.
Check out: http://greenliving.about.com/od/greenprograms/
U/earth_day_user_path.htm
Here are the 20122012-2013
2013 Title I Contacts
for our Title Program at Your School:
Consultant, Mrs. Jeanie Hiestand:
Davey School (330-676-7462)
Walls School (330-676-8300)
Consultant, Mrs. Katrina Kelling:
Holden School (330-676-8433)
Longcoy School (330-676-8350)
Principal, Todd Poole:
Franklin School (330-676-8450)
Parent Involvement Coordinator,
Ms. Pam Bose: All Schools (330-676-7425)
Federal Grants Coordinator, Mrs. Lori Slattery,
Director of Instructional Program:
All Schools (330-676-7600)
Parents
plus
Schools
equals
Success