Homework
Are you looking for extra activities to do with your child at home? Check out these suggestions:
In Math
· Use playing cards to practice math facts. Divide the deck into two and decide if you will add, subtract or multiply. Flip a card from each half of the deck. The first person to say the answer gets the cards (you might have to give your child a 10 second advantage).
· Play a game of crib, Tut’s Tomb (the pyramid card game where you have to make two cards and up to 13) or another card game that involves numbers.
· Add up the numbers of license plates as you drive in the car (or multiply when your child is ready). This can be done with street addresses as well, if you are out for a walk (i.e., 3492 would be 3+4+9+2=18).
· Roll two dice and add or multiply the result. Add in extra dice for an extra challenge.
· Read your child a story that includes a Math problem and solve it with him or her.
In Language Arts
Anytime you read or watch something with your child, consider asking the following questions:
· What do you think will happen next (great if there’s a commercial break or if you have a pause button)?
· Why do you think that will happen next?
· Do you still have any questions about this book or this show?
· What happened? What do you think the most important action was?
· Who was/were the main character(s)?
· Can you describe the main character(s)?
· Pick a scene in the story or the show. What do you think the main character could touch with his or her body? Smell? Taste? Hear?
· Name one or two emotions the main character felt during the story or show?
· Would you want to be friends with the main character? Why or why not?
· What was your favorite part of the story? Why?
· Was there a problem in your story or show? How was it solved?
· Do you think the author wanted to teach you a lesson with this story or show? What was the lesson? Why do you think this?
If your child resists, just keep it light and conversational. The purpose is to foster thoughtful reflection of the material, so any comments are great.
Social Studies
We are studying Canadian and world geography right now, so:
· Look at maps of Canada
· Your child needs to learn how to use a scale, legend and grids on a map, so play around with those items. One neat game is to pick two cities and help your child to calculate the distance between them. Another idea is to pick a something on a legend (for example, mountains) and see which country has the most.
· Research to find one interesting monument in each of the capital cities or provinces/territories in Canada
· Read a book written by a Canadian author. Then, research to find out where that author is from.
· Play around with Google Earth or MapQuest with your child. Try to find our school or other important landmarks nearby. Also, try mapping a route and having your child act as navigator.
Science
We are studying the rock cycle and land formations this term, so:
· Consider taking out a book on rocks and trying to identify some when you go for walks.
· Consider taking out a book on mineral use and trying to identify some everyday items that are made up of minerals.
· Make observations about the various land forms you can see while driving or walking (i.e. mountains, hills, riverbanks).
· Consider taking out a book on mineral use and trying to identify some everyday items that are made up of minerals.
· Make observations about the various land forms you can see while driving or walking (i.e. mountains, hills, riverbanks).
Health and Career Education
· Talk to your child about his or her goals for this year.
· Have your child explain to the entire family how to properly wash hands and how to avoid getting the flu or a cold
· Consider having your child help make dinner. Have him or her point out the various food groups as you cook.
· Consider having your child pack his or her own snack for a week, explaining each day how healthy the snack is.
Physical Education
· Watch a soccer game with your child and discuss what you see.
· Go to the park and kick the soccer ball around.
· Ask your child to draw a picture of the physical activities he or she likes to do.
· Ask your child to explain the rules of his or her favorite PE game this term and try to play the game at home.
· Ask your child to explain the rules of his or her favorite PE game this term and try to play the game at home.
All of these are just suggestions. If your child has homework, it will be outlined in the planner. If your child needs extra help, I would contact you and we would discuss a course of action. These suggestions are merely a fun way to connect to our daily activities at school.
