Winter break means a well-deserved reprieve from homework and daily obligations. But before you know it, the holidays will be over and it will be back to school. To prepare for a smooth re-entry and a successful second semester, don't let school skills like reading, writing, and math slide completely during winter break. Try these family-friendly activities to keep skills sharp:
- Read for pleasure. Encourage relatives to give books as holiday gifts or visit the local library. I am sending home a Winter Break Reading Log. Students who complete the reading log and return it to school will receive a special prize.
- Cook up an easy lesson. Invite your child into the kitchen to help you with a special recipe. Cooking allows you to read and follow directions.
- Write thank-you notes to work on writing and spelling.
- Make the most of car rides. Turn the drive to or from a holiday get-together into an opportunity to practice sight words and math facts. You can look for license plates from different states, try to find the alphabet on the license plates, or count the number of red (or white or green) cars you see.
- Ask for grocery list assistance. Have your child help choose what to buy, decide how much you need, check your supplies to see what you've already got, and then have them write your grocery list for you.
- Have a family game night. Chances are many of your family's favorite board and card games reinforce skills such as counting and reading. Gather your family to play games you usually don't have time for on school nights.
- Scootpad will be available with math and reading activities.
- MyOn is available for online books to read or listen to at the Nate Mack website. Your child's user name and password is their student number.
- Maintain reasonable bedtimes. With no school to get up for in the morning, it can be tempting to let kids become night owls. A few days before school starts up again, ease back into the regular bedtime schedule so your child can start the year bright-eyed.
School resumes on Monday, January 6. We will be taking our MAPS Math Assessment on Thursday, January 9 and our MAPS Reading Assessment on Tuesday, January 14. This test is required by the State of Nevada. Please help your child by completing some of these activities to help keep their reading, writing, and math skills sharp over Winter Break.
Happy Holidays,
Mrs. Baugh