Parent Resources
Here are some articles and websites full of wonderful resources, tips, advice, and ideas to help you and your child be prepared for school and have lots of fun learning! :)
"10 Back-to-School Tips for Parents of Elementary School Aged Kids": www.parentfurther.com/10-back-school-tips-parents-elementary-school-aged-kids
It's that time again! Time to get back in the swing of things as the kids head off to school. Here are some tips to help you so that the summer-into-school transition can be smooth and peaceful. :)
"Parents' Top Tips for Surviving Homework...Without Tears":
I know, you're probably thinking, "Well you're the teacher. You can just not assign homework!" I wish I could, trust me. :( However, as I can't do that, what I can do is show you this great article with tips to getting through it! :D Get your child motivated through games; get a study buddy; set a routine. These are just some of the tips explained that can really help homework be, contrary to popular belief, a fun and memorable time of learning! :)
Brentwood Public Library: www.brentwood-tn.org/library
The Brentwood Public Library is a great resource for books, movies, a place to go and study, and more! It's one of my favorite places :) The children's section is lovely, and the young adult section is wonderful too, as is the non-fiction section! The website allows you to search for books, movies, etc. and reserve them using your card number (or you can set up an account). This can save a lot of time. You can also find information on many programs and community events through the library and it's website. There are many wonderful opportunities to connect you and your family to literature, learning, and society! :)
Scholastic: www.scholastic.com
This is a great website to find and buy books! It is full of resources for parents, students, and teachers, and includes lists of recommended books and authors, order forms, fun and engaging activities, and more! There are also links to other resources and programs that encourage reading and literacy development in children and advice for how parents can get involved in their child's education. Here is the direct link to the parents' page: www.scholastic.com/parents/. Another great thing about Scholastic is that for every book you buy, your child's teacher can get credits that can be applied toward purchasing books for the classroom!! :D
Khan Academy: www.khanacademy.org
This is an amazing source for tutoring help! There are many subjects including math, science, economics, computing, and more. Once you pick a subject, it is broken down by grade level. Selecting a grade takes you to practice problems and videos. Your child can work his/her way through the units, keeping track of progress through an account that you can set up. There are also articles and videos specifically for parents, teacher, and coaches with ways to use Khan Academy to help children learn and grow.
PBS Parents: www.pbs.org/parents/
This website is based off the main PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) website, sponsored by National Public Television (NPT). This parents' page has many activities such as games, crafts, and recipes that promote learning and interaction with your children. There are articles that offer tips and advice on many topics including but not limited to raising boys/girls; military families; child development from baby through teen years; and children's education on every topic/subject including music & art, going to school, homeschooling, and learning disabilities. You can get ideas from the videos provided too.
Discovery Education Parents: www.discoveryeducation.com/parents/index.cfm?campaign=flyout_parents
This website is based off the main Discovery Education website. It offers many FREE resources to parents and their children including but not limited to homework help, webmath, and ways to motivate students. The link to the students' site is on the Student Resources page, and it offers the same kind of FREE resources directly to students.
ReadWriteThink: www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool-resources/
This parent's page offers more great resources for after school activites and tutoring help. The resources can be sorted by grade level, resource type, learning objective, and theme, so you can be sure to find the perfect fit for your child's needs. There are also sections entitled "Games and Tools," "Tips and How To's," "Print Outs," and "Podcasts," all with great resources and ideas.
"Making the Move to Middle School"
Before you start hyperventilating, I know that your child is still in 5th grade. Don't worry!! You still have a year left! But, it's never too early to start thinking about how to prepare for that next stage of your child's life. This site has several articles with strategies and tools for helping you and your child made that move to middle school.