Avoid the "Summer Slide"

As the summer months approach, please encourage your children to continue reading.
Experts agree that children who read during the summer months keep their reading skills sharp and are better prepared for the challenges of the next grade level.  Please read through the following summer reading tips:
1.  Lead by example.  Read the newspaper at breakfast, pick up a magazine at the doctor's office, and stuff a paperback in your beach bag.  If children see the adults around them reading often, they will understand that literature can be a fun and important part of their summer days.
2.  Talk it up.  Talking with your children about about what you have read also lets them know that reading is an important part of your life.  Tell them why you liked a book, what you learned from it, or how it helped you - soon they might do the same.
3.  Help children find time to read.  Summer camp, music lessons, baseball games, and videos are all fun things kids like to do during the summer.  However, by the end of the day, children may be too tired to pick up a book.  When planning summer activities with children, remember to leave some time in their schedules for reading.  Some convenient times may be before bedtime or over breakfast.
4.  Relax the rules for summer.  During the school year, children have busy schedules and often have required reading for classes.  Summer is a time when children can read what, when, and how they please.  Don't set daily minute requirements or determine the number of pages they should read.  Instead, make sure they pick up books for fun and help find ways for them to choose to read on their own.  You may even want to make bedtime a little bit later if you find that your child can't put down a book.
5.  Have plenty of reading material around.  Books aren't the only things that kids can read for fun.  Be sure to have newspapers, magazines, and informational material on hand that might spark the interest of a young reader.
6.  Use books to break the boredom.  Without the regular school regimen, adults and kids need more activities to fill the hours.  Books that teach kids how to make or do something are a great way to get kids reading and keep them occupied.  Don't forget to take our kids' favorite books along on long road trips.
7.  Read aloud with kids.  Take your children to see a local storyteller at the library or be one yourself.  The summer months leave extra time for enthusiastic read-alouds with children no matter what their age.  Don't forget to improvise different voices or wear a silly hat to make the story that much more interesting!
8.  Library access.  Go to the local public library and get a library card for your child.  Local libraries usually offer reading lists and sponsor summer contests as well.

Please view the following websites for more wonderful summer reading ideas:
www.readinghorizons.com
www.scholastic.com/summer

Have a wonderful summer and READ! READ! READ!

Kite Flight for Reading and Sight

     North Elementary will be participating in the 8th annual Kite Flight for Reading and Sight sponsored by the Lions Club. The contest will be held January 30-April 27, 2012.  Students are asked to read at home and record the number of minutes read each week on a monthly reading calendar signed by a parent/guardian.  Reading can be done any day during the week, but DAILY reading is the goal.
     On Saturday, April 28, bring the official Home Reading Chart (teachers will provide this chart) to the Lions Club Flight for Reading and Sight Kite Festival at the Cedar Middle School field next to Discovery Park beginning at 10:00 am.  All students who turn in their completed reading chart will receive a free kite.
     Other family fun festivities include a kite flying competition, food, bouncers, Home Depot crafts, K-9 demonstrations, and visits with local policemen and firemen.
                                          Kite Flying Competition Information
     This year's theme is "I Love to Read".  No registration fee is required to join the competition.  There will be three categories to participate and win great prizes in.  Judging will begin at 1:00 pm.
     1.  Best homemade kite.
     2.  The kite that stays in the air the longest.
     3.  Judges choice; family participation.
     Schools with the most Reading Charts turned in will receive a donation from the Lions Club.  The class from each school with the highest participation will receive a pizza party.  After the festival, additional drawings from the redeemed reading charts will be held at each school for other prizes (MP3 player, etc).
      Remember to read every day, record the amount of minutes read, and participate in a fun family festival on April 28, 2012.
     

Celebrate Writing

        Writing is one of the best ways to help children learn basics such as the concept that print is talk that has been written down (Adams).  Even more important, for many children, learning to write provides the motive for learning to read.  They start with a strong desire to express themselves in writing and soon delight in reading their own writing as well as the writing of others, such as family members and friends.

         Adams, M.J. (1990) Beginning to read:  Thinking and learning about print.  Cambridge, Mass:  MIT Press.

            This year, the North Elementary teachers are concentrating on the 3 standards of writing found in the new Common Core curriculum.  The teachers attend a monthly inservice to learn the most effective and innovative ways to teach these standards to their students.

         The 3 writing standards are:

·      Narrative writing conveys experience, either real or imaginary, and uses time as its deep structure.  It can be used to inform, instruct, persuade, or entertain.

·      Informational/Explanatory writing conveys information accurately.  This kind of writing serves one or more closely related purposes to increase readers’ knowledge of a subject, to help readers better understand a procedure or process, or to provide readers with an enhanced comprehension of a concept.

·      Argumentative writing is used for many purposes-to change the reader’s point of view, to bring about some action on the reader’s part, or to ask the reader to accept the writer’s explanation or evaluation of a concept, issue, or problem.

         There are many helpful websites containing ideas to encourage children to write.  Here are a few of my favorites:

         www.readwritethink.org

         www.literacy.uconn.edu/writing.htm

         www.internet4classrooms.com/lang_write_elem.htm

         www.ilovetowriteday.org

         http://WritingFix.org

         Please schedule, November 28, 2011 at 6 pm, to attend a parent night with Utah author, Gary Hogg.  He will present ideas to guide parents when they are helping their children learn and practice writing.  He is very fun, energetic, and full of great ways to motivate children to write.  Watch for more information about this event on the school's website and in school newsletters.  Visit Gary Hogg's website for writing tips, video clips, and reviews of all his latest books: < http://garyhoggbooks.com>

Welcome Back North Elementary Readers!

     I am looking forward to another terrific year with wonderful students, teachers, and staff.  Once again I would like to remind North Elementary students and parents about two great programs that I hope you will take advantage of.  North Elementary offers an exciting Take-Home library for all grade levels to participate in.  Each school day, a carefully selected book is sent home with students.  This book is on your child's independent reading level so they can practice and work on fluency, accuracy, and expression.  Another great reading opportunity is the Parent Read Aloud Program for kindergarten students.  Books are sent home in a plastic bag and read to your child.  Each day the previous book is returned and the reading slip is signed, a new book will be sent home.  Please take advantage of these programs by reading and signing the parent agreement form which gives your child permission to participate and states that if a book is damaged or lost, a $5 book replacement fee will be assessed.
     When adults read aloud with their children, they quickly learn that a book is a wonderful thing.  "The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children."

                                              Tips for Reading at Home
                                                      Beginning Readers
     As your youngster learns to read by himself, continue reading aloud every day.  He'll hear new words and build comprehension skills as he listens to stories.  Give your child plenty of opportunities to practice reading alone.  When he brings books home, encourage him to read them. (Tip:  If he isn't reading on his own yet, use the pictures to tell the story.)  You might sit beside him with your own book, magazine, or newspaper so he'll see that you read, too.  Try to visit yard sales, used bookstores, and discounted online book sites so he can build a home library.  Finally, show interest in the reading your son/daughter does at school.  Ask him about his reading group and find out which stories the teacher and librarian read aloud.
                                                     Intermediate Readers
     Good readers connect what they already know with what they read.  While your child enjoys a story, she might think about her own life, another book, or what's happening in the world around her.  Ask questions like these to help her make connections and improve her reading comprehension skills.  How does the story remind you of your life?  Your youngster can use her experiences to understand a book.  Ask your child to share or write down her personal connections.  How is this story like another?  Perhaps a book's plot or theme reminds your youngster of a story she has read before.  How is the story related to real-world issues?  When your child reads a book that addresses a topic, suggest that she focus on how the story is relevant today.
     Let's make this another wonderful year at North Elementary!!!!

The Parent's Guide to CRT's

 What is a CRT and how is it used?

As each school year draws to a close, all students in Utah public schools are required to take an end-of-level test.  This test is called a CRT (Criterion-Referenced Test).  The results are used statewide and nationwide to assess student competencies in particular areas.  The CRT is based on the Utah Core Curriculum or the statewide standards that should be taught in each grade.  Your child's performance on this test contributes to our school results which will help determine whether or not North Elementary is meeting the standards of the No Child Left Behind Act.  Results are also used to appropriate funding in areas in need of improvement.  Educators use the results on a classroom level to determine the effectiveness of teaching strategies.

How can I help my student perform well on the CRT?

• Remember stress is not good for a child's physical or mental health!  If you are anxious about your child's test it's OK, but try to keep cool around your child.  You don't want them to be anxious about their tests, too.
• Encourage your child to do well but don't pressure him/her.  You may stress him/her out.  It is important for your child to stay relaxed on the test.
• Keep a positive attitude about tests.
• Provide a quiet, well lighted area with little distractions to help your child study efficiently.
• Make sure that your child gets enough sleep on the night before the test.
• Ensure that your child eats a healthy breakfast and avoid heavy foods that may make him/her groggy.  Avoid high sugar foods that may make him/her hyper.
• Make sure that your child gets up early enough so that he/she will be on time to school.
• Talking about the test with your child can relieve stress about test taking.
• Praise your child when they do well on a test or for their hard work preparing for a test.

When will my child take the CRT?

Tests may be given any time between April 11 and May 20, 2011.  Talk to your child's teacher for more details about specific dates and times.

How To Keep Your Children Reading Over the Holidays

As the holiday season moves into full swing and students are home from school, it is easy to get lost in the  Christmas preparations and forget to keep children on a regular reading schedule.

One of the things kids look forward to in December is the academic downtime, but there is no reason why they can't keep their minds sharp during the holidays.  And, believe it or not, they can have fun while doing it!  Here are some tips for "sneaking" reading and learning into daily activities:

• Have your children read holiday cards when they are received in the mail and let them write a message in outgoing cards.
• Let children read ingredients from holiday recipes while you bake together.  It's a great way for them to learn measurements and temperatures.
• Set aside time to "show off" their new reading skills to visiting relatives.  Children love being the focus of attention and grandparents are excited to see their progress.
• Make special holiday readings a tradition.  Find a special book for Christmas and have each member of the family read from it on a set night before Christmas.
• Find books that focus on an interest your child has.  There are books out there to suit every interest under the sun.
• Help your child navigate these free websites that provide fantastic ideas for homemade crafts and projects: Family Education -  All Free Crafts  -  Kaboose.com  -  FamilyFun.com
• If you are traveling during the holidays, pack a bag with a variety of reading materials.  Let everyone take turns reading aloud using expression and fluency.  Also, pack a bag of writing materials and each time you stop have your child write facts about your location.  When you return home,  you will have a personal log about every place you visited.
• Give the gift of reading to your children this holiday season.  Put books in their stockings and under the Christmas tree.

Please have a safe and enjoyable holiday season!!

Welcome Back!!

I am looking forward to another wonderful year with the best students and most terrific teachers that anyone could hope to work with.  Let me tell you about two great programs that I hope everyone will take advantage of.
North Elementary offers an exciting Take-Home library for all grade levels to participate in.  Each school day, a carefully selected book is sent home with students.  This book is on your child's independent reading level so that they can practice and work on fluency, accuracy, and expression.
Kindergarten students can participate in a similar program called the Parent Read Aloud Program.  Books are sent home in a plastic bag and read to your child.  Each day the previous book is returned, a new book will be sent home.  When adults read aloud with their children, they quickly learn that a book is a wonderful thing.  "The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children."  (Becoming a Nation of Readers, p. 23).
Please take advantage of these programs by reading and signing the parent agreement form which gives your child permission to participate and states that if a book is damaged or lost, a $5 book replacement fee will be assessed.
Thank you for your continued support with the education of your children.