Curriculum Night

‘Tis the season for learning and having fun!  Almost 120 families attended Curriculum Night and participated in hands-on activities while learning how to support their children by doing simple activities at home.

I would be remiss if I did not express my sincere gratitude to all of the parents who took the time to come out and participate.  As students came back to share the passport stamps they collected on their journey through the stations, they shared their favorite activities of the night: riding the blender bike in PE, beating their parents in I Declare War at the math station, painting Mandarin Chinese characters with Ms. Shay, making bookmarks in the library, creating crossword puzzles in computers, and investigating how much force is needed to launch a marshmallow 15 feet into the air in the science lab.

 

I truly appreciated the parents’ acknowledgement that the experience tonight heightened their awareness of the many different activities that they can do at home to support their children’s education.  Here are some additional things that you can do at home:

·         Save your seeds the next time you eat a piece of fruit! Try planting them indoors in a zip lock bag or clear cup and measure how tall they grow. Be sure to transplant them into the ground as the plant grows.

·         Practice measuring things around the house.  Use tape measures, yard sticks, rulers, meter sticks, gallon jugs, quart bottles, measuring cups, food scales, etc. Let your child help you cook a meal or a batch of cookies.  Ask them to double the recipe, cut it in half, etc. Let them discover that 1/2 cup is equal to 2/4 cup. 

·         If you can’t go for a walk or a bike ride…..jump rope!  Jumping rope is a perfect way to burn calories and increase cardiovascular endurance!  Jump ropes are inexpensive and can be found at the dollar store.  Children who remain active are more receptive in class.

·         Find the reading and writing in everyday things. Take the time to show your child ways that adults use reading and writing every day.

·         Make crosswords to build vocabulary – http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool resources/games-tools/crossword-puzzles-a-30183.html

I hope that you will all continue to remain involved in your child’s learning as the year progresses. In a recent study, researchers established that family participation in education was twice as predictive of students’ academic success as family socioeconomic status. The earlier in a child’s educational process parent involvement begins, the more powerful the effects.  Additionally, I want to share with you that the most consistent predictors of children’s academic achievement and social adjustment are parent expectations of the child’s academic attainment and satisfaction with their child’s education at school. 

On behalf of our dedicated teachers, thank you again for coming out to support Curriculum Night.

Save the date for our Fine Arts Night Thursday, February 28, 2013