Summer Ideas and Resources

-Read with your child on a regular basis.  This includes reading to them and having them read to you.  For tips and ideas for reading time, visit my blog at http://school.stsimon.org/room-a. 

-For more structured reading, such as leveled reading or phonics activities, I highly recommend subscribing to www.readinga-z.com.  If you would like your child’s reading level referenced to this website, just let me know!

-Practice verbal math problems to help retain addition and subtraction concepts.  This can even be as simple as, “You started with five apple slices, but now only have two.  How many have you eaten?” 

-Begin math flashcards for basic addition and subtraction facts.  Provide children with calculators, money, rulers, or objects with which to make neat patterns. 

-Play computer games or find websites such as www.funbrain.com, which offers a slew of math games.  The children have been working with www.starfall.com during computer class.  This is a great website that offers activities focusing on language arts concepts. 

-Continue to review the high frequency words we learned in class or additional words.  For a full list of those words learned this year in class, see http://school.stsimon.org/room-a.  I have also attached word documents to my homepage for Kindergarten through 2nd grade that can be printed to make sight word flashcards. 

-Here are some helpful hints I have used with the children while we read.  When they come across these vowel combinations or letter patterns, I have used these phrases:

1)    ou  and ow – Try “ow” and give a fake soft punch, when “ow” does work, say “oh” like the long o sound
2)    au – Try “aw” like you’re looking at a cute baby
3)    ar – Say “ar” like a pirate
4)    or – says the word “or” like do you like pears or apples
5)    ir and er – say the r sound
6)    oo – Try “oooo” like the book boo or “ooo” that’s so cool
7)    “When two vowels are walking, the first does the talking and just says his name for both of them.” Example: boat – say o and ignores a.
8)    vowel-consonant-e pattern (example: mice) – magic e makes the vowel before it say it’s name
9)    y can misbehave at the end of a word and say long i or e instead of the y sound. 
10)     Use terminology “short” and “long” when speaking about vowels sounds.  Ex: “In this word, the “a” makes its long vowel sound, so say its name when you are sounding this word out.”  In class, I gave hints that long vowel sounds are when a letter says its name, and short vowel sounds are the ones we learned in our chant. 

-Review our alphabet chant to help your child remember the letter sounds.  This is posted on our class website under the file section.

-Write as often as possible.  This includes creative writing and penmanship.  Like anything, good practice is the best type of practice.  Check for pencil grip and letter formation whenever possible.   For creative writing, encourage your child to write a sentence or two about their day, a trip, or something they like.  I often gave the students one simple sentence to copy from which they would add on their own sentences.  It can be as simple as “Today was fun.” Then, have them add on a sentence about something they liked to do and someone they saw. Students are expected to be able to write three sentences on the same topic.  These mini paragraphs should include proper word spacing, begin with upper case letters, and end in periods. -Encourage your child to start spelling sight words correctly.  A couple ideas, play hangman or encourage your child to play “school” with friends where they give “spelling tests.”

-Complete bridge books over the summer.  These are often aligned with state standards and help students retain and master previous year concepts.  Bridge books can be purchased at most bookstores and online at places like amazon.com by searching “summer bridge book kindergarten.”  Morrison’s Book Supply (560 E El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94085, (408) 749-1114, www.morrisonschoolsupplies.com) also has a great selection. 

-Schedule play dates for your child.  They are the best way to help students build strong and healthy friendships. 

-And last but not least, be sure your child knows how to tie their own shoes and knows their right from their left before they start first grade! 

-Have a fun, relaxing, active, and peaceful summer!  Happy children, make happy students!