Back to School from A to Z A Handbook for Parents Grades...

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AZto Z

Back to School from A to Z

Grades K-5

A Handbook for Parents

Brought to you by the editors of

®

© 2000 – 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

New teachers, new textbooks, and the same old grilled cheese and canned peaches forlunch. Some things never change. September is chock-full of new beginnings for kids.And potential headaches for parents.

Get a grip… while you still manage to get your kids out the door!

Don’t burn out early -- scrambling to pack lunches, hunting down permission slips,coming up with something clever to say to the teacher, and failing to remember whatyou learned in third-grade math.

It’s all in here! From A to Z: Back-to-school tips and time-savers for parents.

Printable Certificates of Achievement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Printable Change of Bus Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Printable Homework Chart and Homework Contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Doctor’s Orders: Printable Medication Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Efficiency Tips for Busy Parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Printable Field Trip Permission Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Ten Tips for Good Grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Tips for Helping Your Kids Handle Homework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Improving Illegible Handwriting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Easing First-Day Jitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Kindergarten Readiness Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Lunchbox Love Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Sharpening Math Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Nine Note-Taking Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Getting Organized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Tips for a Successful Parent-Teacher Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Finding More Quality Time for Your Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Improving Reading Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Preparing for Spelling Quizzes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Top Signs of Trouble for Kids in Grades K-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Understanding Report Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Very Best Gifts for Teachers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Dealing with Kids and Weighty Backpacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

2 x 2: Studying for Multiplication Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Easy Recipes for Yummy Lunches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

A Good Night of Zzzzz’s and Other Test-Taking Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Contents

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Directions: Show your kids thay make the grade as they come home from their first day of school.

Certificate of Achievement



Directions: Send this note to school if your kid is going to take a different bus.

Change of Bus Form



_______________________________(Student's name) and_______________________________(Parent's name) havemutually agreed to the following homework terms as of the _____ day of_____________, 2001.

Time schedule for doing homework:

Student will study at least _______ minutes on the following days:

Monday ______ to ______ ______ to ______

Tuesday ______ to ______ ______ to ______

Wednesday ______ to ______ ______ to ______

Thursday ______ to ______ ______ to ______

Friday ______ to ______ ______ to ______

Saturday ______ to ______ ______ to ______

Sunday ______ to ______ ______ to ______

1.

Homework area:

Student will study in_____________________________________________.

2.

Homework rules:Assignment notebook will be checked before beginning homework.A.

All homework and school materials are to be placed in a backpack atthe end of the homework session in readiness for the next day ofschool.

B.

Homework will not be done in front of the TV or with loud musicplaying.

C.

No phone calls or breaks will be taken during allotted homework time.D.

Homework time will be used for studying even if the student has nocurrent assignments.

E.

3.

Special terms:Failure by the student to follow all terms of the contract will result ina penalty of___________________________________________________.

A.

Following all the terms of the contract for a week will result in anB.

4.


Homework Contract


award of_______________________________________________________.

Parent will not offer homework help or advice unless requested by thestudent.

C.

After two weeks, parent and student will review the contract to decideif any changes need to be made before extending the contract for ____weeks.

D.

By_____________________________ (Parent)

By_____________________________ (Student)

Special notes:Use this contract as a guideline for creating one that fits your family's needs. Besure to review your contract from time to time in case it needs to be revised to meetnew conditions. Begin using this contract when your children enter school. Thenstudying at home becomes a lifestyle -- not a life adjustment -- for older children.

Expect first-graders to study 10 minutes each day. Then add 10 minutes to thehomework time for each additional year of schooling as a rough guide for theamount of time that should be allotted for studying at home. High-school studentsshould be expected to do at least 30 minutes of homework per day for each subject.Some of this work may be done at school. Students may elect to do theirhomework in one or more daily sessions. Instead of specifying definite times forhomework each day, parent and student may agree that all homework is to becompleted by a specified time, unless there are certain exceptions.

©Compass Syndicate Corporation, 1999.

Homework Contract, cont'd



Homework Completion Chart



Directions: Use this form if you need to give the school permission to give your child medication.

Medical Dispensation Form



It's the ultimate challenge: working, raising your kids, and addressing an endless list ofdomestic chores. Follow these ten time-management tips and put a little more time ineach day!

#1: Keep a log.Although this takes some time, it's a necessary exercise that will help you identify thetime-wasters in your life. For one week, record your activities in half-hour periods. Youcan make one entry each day for your time at work and asleep. Don't cheat. If youusually crash in front of the tube for two hours every night, don't change your routinewhile keeping your log.

#2: Set priorities.Your log will show you how individual activities consume your time. Decide whichactivities are most important to you and which you can live without. These can betough choices, but not making them deprives you of the time you need to really enjoyyour life. Once you've set your priorities, don't add a new activity unless you subtractone. If you regularly put in extra hours on the job or bring home unfinished paperwork,you may need to discuss your workload with your boss or explore other career options.

#3: Delegate.You're probably doing chores you could pass to others. If your children are oldenough, have them help around the house. Consider paying a neighborhood teen tomow your lawn. If you're in charge of the PTA fund-raiser, divide the job into severaltasks and recruit volunteers to handle them.

#4: Lower your standards.Resist the urge to do things yourself because you think you'll do it better than anyoneelse. Maybe your standards are too high. Is it really important to keep your house andyard perfect? What's wrong with convenience foods and trips to McDonald's whenyou're busy? Your children will have fonder memories of the times you play with themthan of the cleanliness of your floors.

#5: Don't over-program your kids.They need downtime, too. Even if they beg to sign up for every program in sight,restrict the number. They need to learn to prioritize, just as you do. Besides, the moreorganized activities your kids attend, the more you're called upon to do.

#6: Schedule some fun.Don't leave it to chance that you'll spend a leisurely weekend with your kids, go on adate with your spouse, or pursue a personal interest. Put them on your calendar, anddon't let other things encroach.

#7: Take care of yourself.Give health a high priority. Don't shortchange the hours you need to sleep and the timeyou should exercise.

#8: Share the load.You can make your own and your friends' lives easier with carpools, baby-sitting co-ops, and other schemes for parental-cooperation schemes.

Efficiency Tips for Busy Parents




#9: Learn to say no.You don't have to agree to every request. That includes those from close friends andrelatives. Consider how much time the activity will consume and whether you reallywant to do it. Apply the subtraction technique from Step #2.

#10: Relax.Stress breeds stress. Don't let yourself stay so keyed up that you can't enjoy the freetime you've produced with Steps #1 through 9.


Directions: Send along this note if you need to give your child permission to go on a class trip.

Field Trip Permission Form



Study after study has shown that parental involvement is the number one determinantof how well all children -- regardless of their background -- do in school. Try these tenways to help your kids succeed in the classroom -- and beyond.

#1: Create an environment in your home that encourages learning.Doing so will have a major influence on how well your children do in school. Providethem with many different opportunities to become excited about learning. Make surethat appropriate materials -- from puzzles to paints to computers -- are available tostimulate their curiosity.

#2: Provide your children with a well-balanced life.A stable home filled with love serves as a solid foundation for getting straight A’s.Establish routines so your children get enough sleep, eat regular, nourishing meals,and exercise. Limit time spent watching TV and playing video and computer games.

#3: Read to your children every day.Most of the learning your children achieve in school involves reading. Read to your kidsto raise their interest in reading, to expand and enrich their vocabularies, and tobroaden their experiences. Reading aloud exposes them to books that would bedifficult for them to read on their own.

#4: Encourage them to read extensively.As your children progress through school, as much as 75 percent of what they learnwill come from the printed page. The more children read, the better their reading skillsbecome. Make sure there is a wide variety of interesting reading materials in your hometo encourage the reading habit.

#5: Show your children how to be organized.Children who are organized find it much easier to succeed in school. One of the bestways to teach organizational skills is through example. Show your children how to usesuch organizational tools as assignment pads, calendars, notebooks, binders, andbackpacks.

#6: Teach them effective study skills.Good study skills are absolutely essential to get good grades. Make sure your childrenknow how to read their textbooks, prepare for tests, memorize facts, and use their timeefficiently. Encourage them to have a regular time for studying, and provide a studyplace that is free of distractions.

Ten Tips for Good Grades



#7: Urge your children to listen and participate in class.Listening in class is the easy way for children to learn. Advise your older children totake notes, which will help them concentrate on what is being said. Encourage yourchildren to participate in class -- it will greatly increase their interest in what they’relearning.

#8: Help your children learn how to tackle homework.Doing homework reinforces what your children learn in school. Show them how to do itso that homework quickly becomes their responsibility. Help them learn whatassignments to do first and how to plan their time. Encourage them not to rush throughtheir homework, but to consider every assignment a learning experience.

#9: Talk to your children about school.Your children spend hours in school every day. A lot can happen during that time.Show that you are genuinely interested in their day by asking questions about whatthey did and talking with them about the papers they bring home. When problemsoccur, work with your kids to find solutions.

#10: Develop a good relationship with your children’s teachers.Good communication between home and school helps children do well in school andmakes it easier to address problems. Be sure to attend parent-teacher conferences,visit your kids’ classrooms, and volunteer to help their teachers. And don't forget toexpress your appreciation to teachers for all that they do for your children.



Tips for Helping Your Kids


How much homework should your child bring home? According to veteran teachersPeggy Gisler and Marge Eberts, a popular guideline for assigning homework is about10 minutes each night for first grade, plus an additional 10 minutes for each successivegrade. That’s 10 minutes for a first-grader, 30 minutes for a third-grader, and 70minutes for a seventh-grader. While guidelines are a good idea, remember thatteachers do assign work at different rates, depending on what they’re doing in theclassroom.

Giving students an excessive amount of homework in the early grades can turn themaway from learning. It also robs young kids of the chance to do other activities afterspending six or more hours on academic work in the classroom. It’s only when kidsreach sixth grade that the amount of homework they do is directly related to how wellthey achieve in school. Before then, the effect of homework on achievement is almostnonexistent.

If you’re concerned about homework, the best approach is to work through the parent-teacher organization to have the school establish a homework policy.

As far as taming the homework monster goes, it’s said that the best defense is a goodoffense. In this case, that means organization and good study habits! The following tipswill help your child stay on top of his or her assignments.

#1. Have him use an assignment notebook, so he knows what homework is requiredeach day.

#2. Introduce a planning calendar and show her how to use it when she begins to havelong-term assignments.

#3. Your child should preview his assignments each day, and decide the order in whichhe will do them. It’s best to get the tougher tasks out of the way first!

#4. Teach her to review her work frequently.

#5. Get him an organizer, and show him how to organize all his school papers.

#6. Have her use a book bag to transport books and papers.

#7. Encourage him to establish a regular time for doing homework.

#8. She should keep old quizzes and tests to prepare for future tests.

#9. Eliminate distractions like phone calls and television during homework time.

#10. Establish a regular place for doing homework.

Handle Homework


Improving Illegible Handwriting


Kids aren't able to write well until they have developed their fine-motor skills.Fortunately, these skills improve easily with lots of practice. Use the following activitiesto help your young child develop the precision, balance, and hand-eye coordinationthat are needed to perform the fine-motor skills used in handwriting:

#1: Give your child clay or play-dough to play with, to strengthen the major musclesused in handwriting.

#2: Encourage her to play with Legos™, miniature cars, small blocks, action figures,and other small toys.

#3: Do puzzles with your child.

#4: Provide creative art projects that involve using crayons, marking pens, scissors,and finger paints, as well as tearing paper.

#5: Play games with your child that involve the handling of cards and small gamepieces.

#6: Ask your child to sort collections of loose coins into stacks of pennies, nickels,dimes, and quarters.

#7: Help your child learn to manage such everyday skills as tying and lacing his shoesand buttoning his clothes.

Remember, every child has a different timetable in acquiring the fine-motor skillsneeded for handwriting. The more your child uses her fingers in activities, the soonershe will acquire these skills.


Easing First-Day Jitters


For many kids, school is just a continuation of daycare. Playing and sharing with otherkids is nothing new. But for some preschoolers and kindergarteners, this is their firstexperience away from home. Prepare your child for this big adventure by trying theseten tips from school counselors and teachers.

#1. Review the route.Help your child overcome fears of the unknown by rehearsing for "opening day." Asyou drive by the school during the summer, take time to review the route from yourhome. Point out landmarks, familiar houses, and where your kids can stop if they needto. Talk about where the crossing guards are, and where kids may have to take extracare. Remind your kids where you will be dropping them off and picking them up eachday.

#2. Visit the teacher and the classroom.Don’t hesitate to call the school and ask if you may bring your child in before schoolstarts. You can both meet the teacher and see the classroom. Point out the cubbies,the bathroom, and the offices of the school nurse and secretary. The building will feeldifferent when it is filled with kids. Even so, getting to know the classroom will help tocreate a sense of security for your child.

#3. Supply the supplies.As parents, we want to buy everything that’s on sale ahead of time. It usually pays towait until the afternoon of the first day, when teachers have told students what they willneed. Most kids up through first or second grade need only a two-pocket portfolio touse as a "take-home folder." Don't forget to label everything your child takes toschool. Even young kids feel self-sufficient when they can go to the cubby or lunch cartand reach for their own things with confidence.

#4. Make clothes kid-friendly.Young children learn to tie their shoes, operate zippers, and undress quickly enough toprevent accidents during this period of their development. Here are some things tothink about before buying anything new. Can your child easily put on and remove thatjacket, or does it have a troublesome zipper? Buy Velcro closures while you're teachingyour child to tie his shoes. And those adorable overalls? They'll do nothing for yourchild’s sense of competence and esteem if she can't get out of them to use thebathroom.

#5. Adjust your clock.Summer has its own pace, while school days demand something slightly different. It’llbe easier for your kids to ease into a new school year bedtime, wake-up time, andbreakfast time if they adjust their schedule before summer comes to a close.

#6. Set the scene.Kindergarten and preschool are mostly about practicing expected behaviors until theybecome a habit. Help your child be organized at home by creating routines. If she setsher backpack down in the same place everyday, it will be easier to find it the nextmorning. If your kindergartner has homework, and she always does it at the same timeand in the same spot, it will become a part of how she does things throughout herschool career.



#7. Have a rehearsal lunch.Be picky about the snack and lunch foods you choose for your child. Some juice packshave challenging straws, some zip-top fruit cups need a lot of oomph before theyunzip! Pack a lunch in a lunchbox or bag and sit down at the table with your child.Practice opening things together! Teachers and lunch aides will be there to help yourchild: Remind her to ask for help if she needs it.

#8. Sign up for a library card.Go to the local library before school starts and get your kids their own library cards. Allteachers encourage parents to do whatever they can to foster early literacy and a loveof reading. Spend 15 minutes reading each day with your young child. This is a greatway to spend special time together, and create an association between reading andsomething wonderful -- time with Mom or Dad!

#9. Check in with yourself.How are you feeling: Enthusiastic? Apprehensive? Our kids pick up a great deal fromus -- spoken and unspoken. If you're positive about his beginning school, yourenthusiasm will most likely become part of your child's experience. By the same token,your worries will be transferred to him, too. If you express concern about thisseparation from your child or about the teacher, take care that your child doesn'toverhear. Give your child a picture of you to keep in his supply box, put love notes inhis snack bags, and reassure him about what time you will be back for him.

#10. Celebrate the new (school) year!This is a great time to begin new rituals and traditions at home. Try these ideas to startthe year off with a bang!

• The night before school starts, turn dinner into a party by setting the table withspecial dishes.

• Throw a "Beginning of the Year" party with hats, blowers, and a cake.• Take a picture of your kids and mark their height inside a closet door.• Have your first family meeting.

However you choose to celebrate the new school year, make it an annual event.Memories are one of the most precious things we can give our children. They'll bequick to remind you about your annual back-to-school celebration the first time youforget!


While there’s no perfect formula for determining when children are truly ready forkindergarten, you can use this guide to see how well your child is doing in acquiring theskills found on most kindergarten checklists. Check the skills your child has mastered.Recheck each month to see what additional skills your child can accomplish easily.Young children change so fast. Remember that if your child can’t do something thisweek, she may be able to do it a few weeks later!

• Listen to stories without interrupting• Recognize rhyming sounds• Pay attention for short periods of time to adult-directed tasks• Understand that actions have both causes and effects• Show understanding of general times of day• Cut with scissors• Trace basic shapes• Begin to share with others• Start to follow rules• Be able to recognize authority• Manage bathroom needs• Button shirts, pants, and coats, and zip up zippers• Begin to control oneself• Separate from parents without being upset• Speak understandably• Talk in complete sentences of five to six words• Look at pictures and then tell stories• Identify rhyming words• Identify the beginning sound of some words• Identify some alphabet letters• Recognize some common sight words like "stop"• Sort similar objects by color, size, and shape• Recognize groups of one, two, three, four, and five objects• Count to ten• Bounce a ball

If your child has acquired most of the skills on this checklist and will be at least fiveyears old at the start of the summer before kindergarten, he or she is probably readyfor kindergarten. What teachers want to see on the first day of school are children whoare healthy, mature, capable, and eager to learn.

Kindergarten Readiness Checklist



Directions: Give your sweetie a surprise in her lunchbox.

Lunchbox Love Notes



Directions: Spread a little love on your child's lunch! Give them this lunchbox love note.Lunchbox Loves Notes



Directions:You're honey will be happy to find this note!

Lunchbox Love Notes



Directions: Give your favorite star a lunchbox love note!

Lunchbox Love Notes



Mastering math is essential for future opportunities in school and career. Your kids willneed to reach a certain level of competency in math to take many advanced high-school courses, to be admitted to college, and to have a wide variety of careerchoices. Here’s how to help them maximize their math-smarts.

#1: Make sure your children understand mathematical concepts.Otherwise, math becomes a meaningless mental exercise of just memorizing rules anddoing rote drills. Have your children manipulate objects to figure out basic concepts.For addition, they could add one, two, or more blocks to a pile of blocks and then tellyou how many blocks are in the pile.

#2: Help them master the basic facts.Mastery of a basic fact means that children can give an answer in less than threeseconds. Considerable drill is required for children to give quick responses. Use flashcards to help your children learn the basic facts. When they don't know an answer,have them lay out objects to solve the problem.

#3: Teach them to write their numbers neatly.Twenty-five percent of all errors in solving math problems can be traced back to sloppynumber writing. Improve your children's number-writing skills by having them traceover numbers that you have written. Suggest they use graph paper to keep thenumbers in problems neatly aligned.

#4: Provide help immediately when your children need it.Math is one subject in which everything builds upon what has been previously learned.For example, a failure to understand the concept of percent leads to problems withdecimals. If a teacher is unable to help your children, provide the help yourself or use atutor or learning center.

#5: Show them how to handle their math homework.Doing math homework reinforces the skills your children are learning in class. Teachthem to begin every assignment by studying the textbook or worksheet examples.Then have them redo the examples before beginning the assignment, to make surethey understand the lesson.

#6: Encourage your children to do more than the assigned problems.Considerable practice is necessary for your children to hone their math skills. If theteacher only assigns the even problems, having them do some of the odd ones willstrengthen their skills. The more time your children spend practicing their skills, thesooner they will develop confidence in their abilities.

#7: Explain how to solve word problems.Mathematicians have an expression: To learn to solve problems, you must solveproblems. Teach your children to read a word problem several times. Also, have themdraw a picture or diagram to describe it. Make it easier for them to understand thesteps in a problem by teaching them to substitute smaller numbers for larger ones.

#8: Help your children learn the vocabulary of mathematics.They will never get a real feeling for math or learn more advanced concepts without anunderstanding of its vocabulary. Check that your children can define new terms. If not,

Sharpening Math Skills




have them use models and simple problems to show you they understand how theterm is used.

#9: Teach them how to do math "in their head."One of the major ways to solve problems is by using mental math. Kids should use thismethod frequently instead of using pencil and paper or a calculator. When helping yourchildren with a problem, help them determine when it would be appropriate to usemental math.

#10: Make mathematics part of your children's daily life.Mathematics will become more meaningful when your kids see how important it is in somany real-life situations. Encourage them to use math in practical ways. For example,ask them to space new plants a certain distance apart, double a recipe, and pay bills instores.


Nine Good Note-Taking Tips


#1: Bust out the labels.Have your child put the date, class topic, and her name on the first page of her notesevery day. She can actually name and date every page if she wants to take this to theextreme. This is a good habit for your child to adopt if she tends to stuff her notes intoher pockets or bury them at bottom of her backpack.

#2: Start each day anew.Tell your child that each day gets a new sheet of paper. Suggest that she write on oneside of the paper only.

#3: Don’t raise a tree hugger.Encourage your child not to save paper when it comes to note taking. Send him toschool with a more-than-adequate supply. Have him write as large as he needs to andleave plenty of space between ideas.

#4: It's okay to listen.Tell your child that it's okay just to listen in class and sometimes not write anythingdown.

#5: Individualize your child's notation system.Encourage your child to use colors, shapes, or words to identify different ideas.

#6: Encourage visuals.Tell your child that any time she can draw a picture or diagram to help her rememberan idea or concept, she should do so.

#7. Be well stocked.Give your child as many pens or pencils as he may need, and give a few boxes to histeachers so that he won’t get scolded if he loses some. It's a waste of time to yell atkids for losing a writing utensil. (It usually won’t help him remember the pen next time!)

#8. Have your child sit up close and make eye contact.Enough said.

#9. Let your child take breaks.It's more than reasonable for your child to get up every 20 minutes or so during class(especially if she has learning difficulties). Work with your child's teacher to find areasonable way to let your child get up every now and then.


Did You Remember? Checklist


Getting Organized:

By Gail Epstein Mengel, Ph.D.

Directions:1. Print out this checklist.2. Cut out the items appropriate for your child.3. Paste them in the left-most column.4. Your child can check off the box when he remembers to take the item!5. Make several copies for your child to use.

Reprinted with permission from the author.© 1996, Gail Epstein Mengel, Ph.D.




Tips for a Successful Parent-Teacher Conference


General HintsParent-teacher conferences are an excellent opportunity to find out how your child isadjusting to the new school year and to get to know her teachers. Here are somegeneral hints on how to have a successful conference:

• Ask your child if there is anything that he would like you to discuss with theteacher.

• Jot down everything that you want to talk about at the conference. (See HelpfulQuestions, below.)

• Arrive promptly or a few minutes early.• Begin with positive comments about the teacher or classroom.• Avoid lengthy discussions of topics that are not related to the purpose of the

conference.• Be open to suggestions from the teacher.• Keep your emotions under control.• Take notes about what has been discussed and share them with your child.• Express appreciation for the conference.• Do not stay beyond your allotted time.

Helpful QuestionsIn order to help your kids have a successful school year, you need to knowwhat will be expected of them academically from now until June. You can find out byasking some questions. Take this list with you to your next parent-teacher conference.And don't forget to take notes.

1. What skills and knowledge will my child be expected to master this year?• What will my child learn this year in key subjects like math, science, history, and

English?• Are there challenging academic standards in place at this school? How do they

compare with those at other school districts? May I see them?• How do you inform students about the academic standards they're expected to

meet? What kind of projects and assignments have you planned that will helpmy child meet higher academic standards?

2. How will my child be evaluated?• What kind of information do you use to evaluate students?• How do you know if a child is academically ready to move on to the next grade?• How are grades determined in your classroom?

3. What can I do to stay more involved in my child's academic progress?• What can I do at home to complement what is happening in the classroom?• How can I know on a daily basis what homework has been assigned?• How can I support teachers' efforts in implementing higher academic

standards?

4. How do you accommodate differences in learning?• What if my child is a slow learner and falls behind, or is a fast learner and is

bored?• Are summer school, tutoring, or other programs available for students who need

more help?


5. How are older students prepared for further learning after high school?• Are children encouraged to think about a wide variety of career interests?• Are all students encouraged to take algebra by the end of eighth grade?



As you head into the back-to-school days, you may wonder: Can I really do it again?Pack lunches at dawn, dash from carpools to business meetings, apply mascara atstoplights, help with homework, race to piano-lesson pickups –- only to return home,rush everyone off to bed, and then wake up to a go-go weekend of hockey practice,soccer games, and birthday parties?

A growing number of concerned parents are thinking seriously about the enormouscosts of frenetic living. Determined to put the focus on family, a group of moms anddads in Minnesota has organized a community group, Family Life First. Its mission: Toget families in their community to rethink their hyperactive lifestyles. Try the group's tenhints on finding more quality family time.

#1: Limit kids’ activities.Limit your kids to one after-school activity. Period. This may be harder decision for youthan for your kids! You want Johnny to continue with piano; he wants to make thehockey team. How to choose? Think of it this way: Teaching kids to make choices is anessential part of a parent’s job. These activities build skills, and give kids a sense ofwhat they can do. But time spent with family gives them a sense of who they are. Trythis approach: "You have to give up something (piano or hockey) to get something(peace of mind or time to breathe)."

#2: Limit yourself.As a parent, you also have your limits. Basically, you get one evening out during theweek. Period. Mom has a book club or a yoga class. Dad plays squash. Simply put,you can’t "be there" for kids when you’re not around. The rituals that build closeness –-bedtime stories, cuddles in front of the fire or a favorite TV show –- can’t happen whenMom and Dad use the front door like a revolving door. P.S.: This doesn’t preclude a"date night" for Mom and Dad! Keep the Love Train on track by scheduling a quietevening for two now and then.

#3: Kill the TV.Or at least dismember it. Turn off your TV during meals, and the result will probably bebetter table talk and a less circus-like atmosphere. Sitting down to watch a particularshow or video can be a great way for families to relax together, but having the tube onin the background just adds another level of noise and stress. Or consider this: No TVMonday through Thursday nights. More time for homework, reading, talking, playing.

#4: Have candlelight dinners.When Bugs Peterschmidt’s husband started coming home later and later each night,the couple had a chat about "Disappearing Daddy," MIA at the dinner table all toooften. They agreed on a 6:15 p.m. standing mealtime, and Dad went in extra early eachmorning to make it work. Prompted by a Greek friend who said, "You Americans don’tknow how to dine," the couple decided to light candles each night for its "calmingeffect." No discipline issues are discussed and no phones get answered during dinner.Bugs reports that her family of four are enjoying their food and one another more, nowthat dinner is "an oasis in time."

#4: Brunch!Make brunch for your bunch every Sunday. Family Life First’s Gina Coburn liked theidea of having one mandatory family meal each week, but it wasn’t until she and herhusband went off on their own one Sunday that she discovered what their weekly

Finding More Quality Time for Your Family



brunch meant to her teenaged children. "They called on my cell phone and said, ‘Whatabout our family breakfast?’" Gina says. "And I realized that they would never havemissed it if we hadn’t gotten so intentional about it."

#6: Make a reading tree.This is a great idea from Steve and Ruth Bennett, parents and co-authors of numerousactivity books (including 365 TV-Free Activities You Can Do with Your Child). Find atree in your backyard or local park and claim it as your own. Bring a book and ablanket, and make it a regular spot for story time. It’s a great way to savor fall foliage orthe warm breeze of an Indian summer night.

#7: Cook double.Cook double, and save time and trouble. Bugs Peterschmidt of Family Life Firstdoubles every recipe and freezes half for another night. This makes half of hermealtimes a snap. "Last night, we had tamale pie. I made two of them. Add salad-in-a-bag and dinner’s done!"

#8: Pick your own.Go apple picking with your family (or pick any fruit or veggie, for that matter)! If you’vegot kids of different ages and temperaments, it’s sometimes hard to find a movie orgame for everyone. Picking apples or pulling carrots is something everybody can dowell and do together, and these outdoor activities provide another chance to savor thewaning warmth of the fall season.

#9: Catch some winks.Get some sleep! Lights out by 10 p.m., 11 p.m. at the latest. When you feel rested, youfeel calm. So pay bills in the morning, and turn on the radio to catch the news youmissed from the night before.

#10: Plan TGIF fun nights.Friday night, heralding the end of the work week, is one of the best times to focus onfamily. While others wait in line for tables at overcrowded restaurants, grab a takeoutpizza and head back to the ranch. Let kids take turns each week setting the agenda:Video? Monopoly? Scavenger hunt for loose change? It’s a time to remember that ourhome is not just our castle. In the 21st century, home and family are our fortress, ourbest protection from the onslaught of the 24/7 world.



Nothing is more important to academic achievement than being a good reader. Youknow your kids best, and can provide the one-on-one time and attention that will leadthem to success in reading. Here is a list of ways to help your children become moreeffective readers.

#1. Set aside a regular time to read to your children every day.Studies show that regularly reading out loud to children will produce significant gains inreading comprehension, vocabulary, and the decoding of words. Whether your childrenare preschoolers or preteens, it will increase their desire to read independently.

#2: Surround your children with reading material.Children with a large array of reading materials in their homes score higher onstandardized tests. Tempt your kids to read by having a large supply of appealingbooks and magazines at their reading level. Put the reading materials in cars,bathrooms, bedrooms, family rooms, and even by the TV.

#3: Have a family reading time.Establish a daily time when everyone in the family reads together silently. Seeing youread will inspire your children to read. Just 15 minutes of daily practice is sufficient toincrease their reading fluency.

#4: Encourage a wide variety of reading activities.Make reading an integral part of your children's lives. Have them read menus, roadsidesigns, game directions, weather reports, movie time listings, and other practicaleveryday information. Also, make sure they always have something to read in theirspare time when they could be waiting for appointments or riding in a car.

#5: Develop the library habit.Entice your children to read more by taking them to the library every few weeks to getnew reading materials. The library also offers reading programs for children of all agesthat may appeal to your children and further increase their interest in reading.

#6: Be knowledgeable about your children's progress.Find out what reading skills they are expected to have at each grade level. Theschool's curriculum will give you this information. Track their progress in acquiringbasic reading skills on report cards and standardized tests.

#7: Look for reading problems.Teachers may not always detect reading problems until they’ve become serious. Findout if your child can sound out words, knows sight words, uses context to identifyunknown words, and clearly understands what he reads.

#8: Get help promptly for reading problems.Reading problems do not magically disappear with time. The earlier children receivehelp, the more likely it is that they will become good readers. Make sure your childrenreceive necessary help from teachers, tutors, or learning centers as soon as youdiscover a problem.

Improving Reading Skills




#9: Use a variety of aids to help your children.To help your children improve their reading, use textbooks, computer programs,books-on-tape, and other materials available in stores. Games are especially goodchoices because they let children have fun as they work on their skills.

#10: Show enthusiasm for your children's reading.Your reaction has a great influence on how hard they will try to become good readers.Be sure to give them genuine praise for their efforts.


Help your child prepare for weekly spelling quizzes with these tips!

Give your child a pre-test:• When your child brings home his list of spelling words, sit him down with a

pencil and paper for a practice quiz.

• Don't have him copy the words or sentences. Children learn how to spell wordsby visualizing them in their minds, not by copying them. Simply, say each wordin a sentence out loud for your child to write down.

• Try to give the pre-test in exactly the same way that the teacher would give theactual test. Have your son correct the pre-test. He should study only the wordshe has misspelled.

Then, teach your child how to spell the words he spelled incorrectly on his pre-test:

• Have him say the word while looking at it.

• Tell him to close his eyes, try to see the word, and then spell the word out loud.

• Have him look at the written word to see if he spelled it out loud correctly.

• Ask him to look at the word, then cover the word and have him write it.

• Finally, ask him to check to see if he wrote the word correctly. If the word ismisspelled, all four steps should be repeated before moving on to the next word.

Once your child has learned to use this technique, he will be able to study his spellingwords independently. On the night before the test, give him a final test of all the words.

Preparing for Spelling Quizzes



Your kindergartner may have trouble if he isn’t able to:• Be happy away from home.• Communicate effectively with teachers and classmates.• Follow directions and rules.• Cut and paste with some degree of skill.• Handle his personal needs (go to the bathroom, put on a coat).• Get along with his classmates and teacher.

Your first-grader may have trouble if she isn’t able to:• Listen and follow directions.• Concentrate long enough to complete a task.• Work independently.• Recognize letters of the alphabet.• Read at grade level.• Verbally express her opinions, feelings, and needs.• The major problem for first-graders is a failure to catch on to the basic skills

needed for reading. If your child is having problems with reading, seek helpimmediately. Reading problems don't just go away.

Your second-grader may have trouble if he isn’t able to:• Read fluently enough to comprehend materials.• Print legibly.• Spell frequently used words correctly.• Add and subtract basic facts to 10 without hesitation.• Participate within a group.

Your third-grader may have trouble if she isn’t able to:• Apply phonics rules in her reading.• Write complete sentences.• Automatically read high-frequency words.• Solve simple story problems in math.• Write legibly in cursive.• Add and subtract 1-digit and 2-digit numbers.• Demonstrate basic reading and math skills by the end of third grade. Any

deficiencies in these areas must be addressed immediately.

Your fourth-grader may have trouble if he isn’t able to:• Organize his time efficiently.• Behave appropriately.• Master a solid reading vocabulary.• Handle basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts

automatically.• Study for tests.• Write easily and legibly in cursive.

Your fifth-grader may have trouble if she hasn't learned to:• Write solid sentences and paragraphs.• Work in groups.• Analyze and recall facts.• Give talks and share the information she's learned.• Read content area materials.

Top Signs of Trouble for Kids in Grades K-5



Does your child hide out at the neighbor's house when it's report-card time? Beforeyou go looking for her, read these five tips for dealing with the less-than-perfect reportcard.

#1. Don't lose your cool.Though many people see report cards as motivating, they can also be demoralizing."They can sap a child of his confidence," says Dr. Kenneth Shore, school psychologistand author of the Parent's Public School Handbook. "The report card is not a measureof your child's worth or of your parenting skills." But grades can have an impact on achild's future. Make this point constructively.

#2. Accentuate the positive.Point out what your child is doing well, whether it's an academic subject or anextracurricular activity. "Children need to know where they show motivation becausethey may not be aware of their strengths," says Dorothy Rich, president of the Homeand School Institute. If your child does poorly in math, but enjoys figuring outbasketball players' free-throw averages, make the connection for him.

#3. Look behind the grade.The report card only indicates that there is a problem. Compare your child's papersover the year to see his progress. Discuss whether he's involved in too manyextracurricular activities. "Kids need time to get their work done," says Rich. If yourchild is trying her hardest and still not understanding the material, contact the teacherimmediately.

#4. Set goals for improvement.Goals help us get motivated, but be realistic. If a child is getting all C's on his reportcard now, expecting all A's the next time may be an unrealistic goal.

#5. Contact but do not attack the teacher.“If a parent has any questions at all, the first thing he or she should do is call theteacher for clarification -- not the guidance counselor or the vice principal," says MartieFiske, a White House Distinguished Teacher. "A parent's first question should be:'What's going on?'" Fiske suggests gathering more information before charging thatsomething is wrong with the program or the teacher.

Understanding Report Cards



When it’s time to thank the teacher… don’t come up empty-handed! Try these greatgift ideas.

Door Decorations ($15 or less)This takes a bit of coordination with the parents of the children in your child’s class.Together, choose a couple of students to decorate the teacher’s door on the firstmorning of Teacher Appreciation Week. Let the kids pick a theme, then decorateaccordingly! For example, outer space theme (You're out of this world!), a flowergarden (Thanks for helping us learn and grow), a variety of hats (Hats off to a greatteacher), etc. Consider making special arrangements to have the school stay open lateon the Friday before the big day, so that volunteers can secretly work their magic!

For a Fan-tastic Teacher ($5 or less)Buy a small personal fan at a discount store. Put the fan in a small gift bag and attach anote with a graphic of a fan that says, "You are a FAN-tastic teacher." This just what ateacher needs for those hot spring days on the playground!

Flowers from Kids (little or no cost)Collect empty mayonnaise or pickle jars. Wrap the jars in tissue, newspaper, fabric orpaper bags. Tie a bow around the neck of the jar with raffia or ribbon. Give the teacher(and his or her staff) a jar. Send out notices to students that on a designated day theycan each buy, make or pick a flower to bring to school to put in their teacher’s jar.Soon the teacher will have a beautiful vase of flowers!

Mailbox quickies (less than $1 per quickie)Attach a message to a candy bar, and leave it in the teacher’s mailbox. Try thesesuggestions, or come up with your own!

• A pack of gum – Thanks for sticking with us!• A small bag of Hershey's Hugs or Kisses – Hugs and kisses for all you do!• A packet of seeds – Thanks for planting the seeds of knowledge!• Payday candy bar – You're worth a million dollars!• Refrigerator magnets – Our teachers are magnetic!• Pencils – You've got the "write" stuff!• Bookmarks – You keep a place in our hearts!

Teacher’s Library Donations (less than $10)At the beginning of the year, ask each teacher for a wish list of books that they’d like tohave for their classroom. Post the list at your school’s book fair, if you have one.Parents can then refer to the list, and cross off the book(s) they purchase for theteacher. School book fair programs usually offer many expensive books in softcoverversions at economical prices. You may even see an increase in sales at the book fair!This gift acknowledges the staff’s hard work, bolsters the classroom resources, andshows children that we prize reading and books enough to give one as a gift.

An Apple Gift Tree for the Teacher (minimal cost)Create a big tree out of construction paper, and attach it to the center of a largebulletin board. Hang the board in the main hallway of your school. Cut apples out ofconstruction paper (about 20 per teacher). Hand the paper apples to the teachers, andask them to write an item that they could use in the classroom on each apple. Put themon the tree, and then let the students “pick” an apple, and purchase the item!

Very Best Gifts for Teachers




(Examples of items are highlighters, Post-its, baggies, envelopes, chalk, tape, glue,etc.)

“This Year I Learned…” Homemade Book from Kids (less than $10)Ask your child’s art teacher to let parent volunteers work with each class during oneday prior to Teacher Appreciation Week. This way, the parent(s) can facilitate eachstudent's work of art! Provide each student with a blank sheet of paper. At the top oftheir paper, students write, “This year I learned …" Then have them draw and/or writeabout something they learned from their current classroom teacher. After collecting thepages, parents make a construction paper cover and backing, punch holes, and thentie together with yarn to make a "book" for the teacher.

Make a Bouquet of Thanks (minimal cost)Your child can color and cut flowers out of paper, then write a word of thanks on eachflower. Help him come up with words that compliment and best describe his teacher.Remind him of words that will make his teacher feel good, like:

• Thank you so much!• You're great!• You taught me a lot!• You make school fun!• I'm glad you're my teacher!

Create a Teacher Recipe (minimal cost)Have your child write a “Teacher Recipe” on an index card. For example:1 Cup of Patience1 Tablespoon of FunA Pinch of CourageStir in a love for (science, music, literature) and Voilà, Ms. or Mr. ______ !

Look at real recipes in cookbooks with your child to help him with the format for writinga recipe. Once his teacher recipe is complete, your child can present it tied to a bag ofhomemade cookies or muffins.


Dealing with Kids' Weighty Backpacks


If your kids are carrying too much weight on their backs and shoulders, they maystretch or strain their muscles, cause direct injury to the spine, and, frankly, get reallypooped.

Kids shouldn’t carry more than 10 to 15 percent of their weight over their shouldersand on their backs. Decrease their risk of injury with these tips from Dr. Hank Bernsteinof Boston’s Children’s Hospital:

• Help your child sort through everything before packing up and see what can beleft at home that day. Place heaviest items in first; the closer they are to a child'sback, the less strain they'll put on those muscles.

• Buy an appropriate-size backpack, one that ends just a few inches above thewaist. Use a backpack that has soft, padded straps to maximize comfort.

• Look for a pack with compartments that help distribute the weight. Or, try amodel with wheels, which your child can pull.

• Even though it’s hipper to carry a pack over just one shoulder, encourage yourkids to carry theirs over both shoulders. This will better distribute the weight.

• Make sure your kids bend their knees when they first lift their packs, to avoidfurther strain on their back muscles.


2x2: How to Study for a Multiplication Quiz


Lots of kids have trouble learning their multiplication facts. Fortunately, you can help --if you're willing to work with your child every day! For the best results, keep drillsessions short, review learned facts frequently, and don't teach a new set of facts untilyour child has completely memorized the previous set. Here’s how:

#1: Make a set of multiplication flash cards with your child. (Don’t include the answerson the cards.)

#2: Work with one set of multiplication facts at a time. (2 x 1, 2 x 2, 2 x 3, 2 x 4, etc.)

#3: Next, work with the set of multiplication facts that has 2 as a second factor (1 x 2, 2x 2, 3 x 2, 4 x 2, etc.) Remind your child that these facts are equivalent to additiondoubles.

#4: In the next session, work with the 5x tables. Start with 5 as the first factor (5 x 1, 5x 2, 5 x 3) and then tackle 5 as the second factor (1 x 5, 2 x 5, 3 x 5).

#5: For some kids, it helps to recognize patterns when they exist within each set ofmultiplication facts.

#6: To help your child with her 4x tables, you can teach her the "double and thendouble again" approach. For example: 4 x 3 = 12 because double 3 is 6 and double 6is 12; 4 x 4 = 16 because double 4 is 8 and double 8 is 16, and so on.

#7: To help your child with his 9x tables, you can teach him the -1 approach. Forexample: 2 x 9 = 18 because 2 - 1 is 1 and 9 - 1 is 8; put them together and you get 18.Similarly, 3 x 9 = 27 because 3 - 1 is 2 and 9 - 2 is 7; put them together and you get 27.And again, 4 x 9 = 36 because 4 - 1 is 3 and 9 - 3 is 6; put them together and you get36. And one more time: 5 x 9 = 45 because 5 - 1 is 4 and9 - 4 is 5; put them together and you get 45.

When your child doesn't know a fact, don't tell her the answer -- answers that comeeasily are not retained. Instead, show her how to find the answer. For example, if shedoesn't know 3 x 4, have her draw three parallel horizontal lines and then four parallelvertical lines on top of them. Ask her to count the intersections to get the answers.


Easy Recipes for Yummy Lunches


With back-to-school battles over homework and bedtime looming on September’shorizon, many moms would rather surrender than fight over what kids eat -- or throwaway -- in the school cafeteria. The good news: It’s easier than ever to "think outsidethe box" when it comes to the school lunch box. It doesn’thave to be a choice between what’s "good for you" and what’s "fun for you." Considerthese ideas for a midday meal with kid appeal plus a nutritional punch!

#1: Deli DinosaursOrder low-fat deli meats and cheese sliced extra thick; then use dinosaur or farmanimal cookie-cutters to cut the slices into kid-friendly shapes. Pack with crackers orbread. Remember: Less is more. Children like mini-sized waffles and donut holes, souse the same concept in packing lunches. Pack two mini bagels (or cut a bagel in half),spread with peanut butter and raisins instead of the standard PB & J, or try cocktail-sized pita breads stuffed with hummus or cheese.

#2: Oodles of NoodlesInstead of sandwiches, send kids off to school with a plastic container filled withsesame noodles. It’s an Asian-inspired pasta salad that’s perfect to eat at roomtemperature. (Make sure your school doesn’t have a zero-tolerance policy on peanutbutter, due to some children’s allergic reactions.)

Quick Lunchbox Sesame Noodles• 1 lb. spaghetti or linguini, cooked• 4 TBS parsley (or cilantro)• 3 cloves garlic• 1/2 cup soy sauce• 1/4 cup sesame oil• 1/4 cup canola oil• 1/2 cup peanut butter• 2 TBS rice vinegar• 2 TBS cooking sherry• 3 TBS white or brown sugar

Blend parsley and garlic until fine in a food processor. Add soy sauce, oils, vinegar,sherry, and sugar. Add enough peanut butter to make slightly thick. Blend ‘til smooth.Add to pasta. Top with chopped scallions, sesame seeds, and/or peanuts. (Note: Ifsauce is too thick, add a dash of orange juice.)

#3: Fruit KebabsWhen it comes to pleasing kids, how things look often matters as much as how theytaste. A child who won’t touch a plain old apple might well eat a fruit kebab withchunks of cantaloupe and grapes alternating with mini marshmallows on a woodenskewer.

#4: Stick to VeggiesAlternate baby tomatoes with green and yellow pepper chunks on small woodenskewers or toothpicks.

#5: Make Your Own “Lunchables”Pre-packaged lunches are loaded with fat and sodium, but you can make your ownhealthier versions for less money. Invest in a few sectioned leftover containers to pack


the food in. For mini pizzas: Arrange round crackers, shredded cheese, pepperonislices, and a small amount of tomato sauce packed in doubled plastic snack bags. Adda small juice box or water bottle, baby carrots, and a fun-size candy bar.

#6: Peanut Butter Power BallsThese balls are packed with protein! (Just make sure your school doesn’t have a zero-tolerance policy on peanut butter, due to some children’s allergic reactions.)

• 1 cup peanut butter• 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder or soy protein powder• 1/2 cup raisins or chocolate chips• 1/4 cup honey• Graham cracker crumbs

Mix all ingredients except the graham cracker crumbs in a large bowl. Shape mixtureinto 1-inch balls. Roll in crumbs and refrigerate.

#7: Eat by "Color Code"Cookbook author and lifestyle trainer Jyl Steinbeck of Scottsdale, AZ, has trained herown children to eat at least one orange, red, and green food each day. Let your kidsmake lunch choices according to color: Ask them to choose carrot sticks or a navelorange, green pepper strips or a green apple. Sometimes kids are more receptive toeating fruits and veggies if they helped with the selections!

#8: Retro JELL-ORemember gelatin salad molds? Adapt this 50s classic for today’s lunch box andsneak in some veggies. Your kids won’t even notice! Just add grated carrot and tinychopped pieces of celery to JELL-O; mold in small plastic containers.

#9: Stuffed ApplesScoop out the core from an apple. Stuff the apple with peanut butter, cream cheese, orother spread. Top with raisins or chocolate chips.

#10: Post-it LunchSimilar to eating by "color code," this strategy encourages kids to think in terms offood groups. Together, make a chart with four columns and the headings: Sandwiches,Fruits, Snacks, and Desserts. Have kids choose items to fill in the columns. Then tellthem that each day, you’ll pack one item from each group. Remind them that they’ll beeating foods they chose themselves!



A Good Night of Zzz's


Your child may find his first encounter with a standardized or "big" test nerve-wracking, but there's no need for either of you to panic. A little bit of backgroundinformation and a few important tips can help ease those test-taking jitters.

Tips from Bradford, age 9, 4th grade• Do your homework -- you do better on tests when you do your homework.• Eat blue M&M's before the quiz -- this brings good luck and makes you smarter.• Take a deep breath, relax, and think, "I can do this" while taking the test.

Tips from Taylor, age 10, 5th grade• Study the day before the test so you don't forget everything.• Don't get too nervous because tests usually aren't as hard as you think.

Tips from Damian, age 13, 8th grade• Plan a definite study time.• When you have a lot of other homework, study for the test FIRST -- it's most

important.• Don't get too worried about every test.• Don't wait to learn everything until five minutes before the test.• Look at the review sections at the ends of the chapters in the books -- they're

really helpful.• If the teacher gives you a study guide, consider it a gift and use it.

Tips from Barbara Callaghan, TeacherBefore the test:

• Get a good night's sleep, and eat a wholesome breakfast.• Dress comfortably.• Be on time to school.• Have all necessary materials (pen, pencil, calculator, etc.).• Avoid stressful situations prior to testing.

During the test:• Listen to and read instructions carefully. Make sure you understand them.• If you have a question, ASK. Other kids probably have the same question.• Answer questions completely and with detail.• Check to be sure you haven’t skipped anything, and proofread your answers.• Don’t let other test-takers distract you. It doesn’t matter who finishes first.• If you finish early, go back and proof your answers again. But don't change

anything unless you’re sure. Studies show that the first answer you choose isusually the right one!

and Other Test-Taking Tips


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www.HomeworkReliefCenter.com Lesson 15, page 1

n this lesson, your child has been taught to add money amounts. It’s pretty easy to keepmost kids’ attention when there’s a dollar sign involved. Here’s how you can make sureyour child understands the basic concepts.

Chapter 34Adding Whole Numbers and Money4Lesson 15

Adding Money

Adding money is a lot like adding wholenumbers, but with two extra things to

remember: the dollar sign and the decimal.

Tell your child that you’re buying a small cheese pizza for$7.19 and a large pepperoni for $8.19. You want to find outhow much the two pizzas will cost.

Point out that he can add the two numbers in three steps,then estimate to see if he’s right:

Cover the Basics

Line up thedecimalpoints.

step one

7.198.19

Add..

step two

+

Add the dollarsign and the

decimal.

step three

17.198.19

15 38+

7.198.19

$15.38+

$7.19 + $8.19 = $15.38

To estimate, your child can round $7.19 down to $7,and round $8.19 down to 8.

7 + 8 = 15, so the answer above, 15.38, looks good!

The pizzas together cost $15.38.


www.HomeworkReliefCenter.com Lesson 15, page 2

Chapter 34Adding Whole Numbers and Money4Lesson 154Adding Money

Troubleshooting TipsMake sure your child lines up thedecimal points when adding money amounts!

Make Sure Your Child Gets ItTell your child that a soda costs $1.50 and a

pizza costs $7.19. Ask him if ten dollars is enough to buya small pizza and a soda. (Yes, it’s enough. The total costwould be $7.19 + $1.50 = $8.69.)

And By the Way...The work in this lesson builds on:

❑ Recognizing the value of coins ❑ Finding equivalent values in dollars and cents ❑ Using basic addition facts❑ Regrouping (15 ones = 1 ten, 5 ones)

When to Call the TeacherIf you think your child isn’t getting it,contact the teacher. Most math conceptsare based on previously learned skills.

And when your child falls behind, it can be a realstruggle to catch up.


Adding MoneyAdd. Estimate to check.

1. 2. 3. 4.

5. 6. 7. 8.

9. $2.35 1 $1.73 5 10. $7.59 1 $6.82 5

11. $2.25 1 $2.84 5 12. $5.63 1 $2.81 5

13. Find the sum of $2.31 and $4.55.

14. Add $7.12 1 $9.59.

15. Will $12.00 be enough to buy a softball and a baseball bat? Explain.

16. Which two pieces of equipment togetherwill cost about $16.00?

17. Which two items together would cost less than $8.00? How much would they cost?

Athletic Equipment

baseball bat

basketball

volleyball

softball

soccer ball

$8.07

$7.49

$3.34

$3.98

$4.63

$6 . 7 21 1 . 9 8

$9 . 2 01 3 . 6 3

$1 . 0 51 7 . 2 4

$4 . 7 51 3 . 1 4

$1 . 1 11 4 . 4 4

$0 . 5 11 6 . 9 3

$8 . 7 91 3 . 1 5

$3 . 1 61 4 . 3 8

Name _________________________________________________

Adding MoneyAdd. Estimate to check.

1. 2. 3. 4.

5. 6. 7. 8.

9. $2.35 1 $1.73 5 10. $7.59 1 $6.82 5

11. $2.25 1 $2.84 5 12. $5.63 1 $2.81 5

13. Find the sum of $2.31 and $4.55.

14. Add $7.12 1 $9.59.

15. Will $12.00 be enough to buy a softball and a baseball bat? Explain.

16. Which two pieces of equipment togetherwill cost about $16.00?

17. Which two items together would cost less than $8.00? How much would they cost?

Athletic Equipment

baseball bat

basketball

volleyball

softball

soccer ball

$8.07

$7.49

$3.34

$3.98

$4.63

$6 . 7 21 1 . 9 8

$9 . 2 01 3 . 6 3

$1 . 0 51 7 . 2 4

$4 . 7 51 3 . 1 4

$1 . 1 11 4 . 4 4

$0 . 5 11 6 . 9 3

$8 . 7 91 3 . 1 5

$3 . 1 61 4 . 3 8

Answer Key

$7.54 $11.94 $7.44 $5.55

$7.89 $8.29 $8.70$12.83

$4.08 $14.41

$5.09 $8.44

$6.86

$16.71

No; $3.98 1 $8.07 5 $12.05

The baseball bat and the basketball

Volleyball and softball; $7.32

Date post:	02-Aug-2020
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