Plan to keep on learning A winter break from school doesn’t have to be a break from learning. To keep your child’s brain engaged, help her:
• Discoverthepastby interviewing older relatives—even you. Help her write a list of questions to ask, such as, “What was school like for you?”
• Compareamovietothebookit’s based on. Together, read the book, then watch the movie. How were the two alike? How were they different?
• Researchandprepare a holiday dish from another culture.
Here’s an experiment to help your child learn about the power of toothpaste to protect her teeth. Gather two jars, two uncooked eggs, two cups of white vinegar and some plastic wrap. Then have your child:
1.Labelthejars.Label one plain egg and the other toothpaste egg.
2. Addacupofvinegar to each jar.
3.Spreadtoothpasteall over one egg and put it in the toothpaste egg jar.
4.Puttheotheregg into the jar labeled plain egg.
5.Coverthejars with plastic wrap and observe for four days.
Bubbles will form around the plain egg. By day two its shell will be gritty and the egg will be bigger. After three days the shell will be gone and the egg will be soft and rubbery. Meanwhile, the toothpaste egg will show little change. Explain to your child that teeth and eggshells are both made of calci-um compounds. Toothpaste protects them against decay. She will see why she needs to brush her teeth!
ServicetothecommunitybenefitsyourchildVolunteering teaches kids that they can make a differ-ence in people’s lives. Here are some activities you and your child can do together now—and all year long—to help others:
• Bakeatreatfor a senior citizen or a new parent.
• Fillwarmsocks with wrapped snacks to give to the homeless.
• Participateinaclothingdrive. Many charities collect coats, gloves and hats and donate them to shelters.
Source: “35+ Service Projects for Kids,” kidworldcitizen, niswc.com/give.
Havefunwithpunctuation!Proper punctuation makes writing easy to read. If your child needs punctuation practice, make it a game. Write a brief story, leaving out the punctuation. Try to read it together—it’s hard!
Next, have your child add punctuation that makes the story easy to read. What happens to the story if he punctuates it differently?
December 2016
Topromotehonesty,makeiteasyforyourchildtotellthetruthBy the time children reach elementary school, most know the difference between being honest and lying. But that doesn’t mean that they are honest all the time! Children lie for many different reasons—to avoid consequences, to win attention or approval, or to get out of things they don’t want to do. But honesty is a fundamental part of good character, and it’s an essential trait for academic achievement.
To encourage your child to be honest:
• Talkaboutit.Tell your child that your family values honesty and you expect him to be honest. Let him know that you will be happy that he told you the truth—even if he has done something wrong.
• Discusstheconsequencesoflying. Explain that lying destroys trust. People may not believe what he says, even when he’s telling the truth.
• Bearolemodel. Children are good lie detectors. They notice when parents tell the truth—and when they don’t. If your child catches you being dishonest, admit you were wrong.
• Createopportunitiesfortruth-telling. Instead of inviting a lie by asking “Did you do this?” say, “You broke my vase. How did it happen?”
• Reactcalmly. When you catch your child in a lie, don’t label him a liar. Talk about what happened and what he could have done instead of lying. Express confidence that he will make better choices in the future.
Source: M. Hartwell-Walker, Ed.D., “When a Child Lies,” PsychCentral, niswc.com/honest.
ChargeupyourcybersafetyThese days, kids use computers, tablets and phones for everything from learning to socializing. But the digital world can be dan-gerous, and parents must promote internet safety. Experts recommend that you:• Goonlinewith your child. Let him
show you his favorite websites and apps. Guide him to child-friendly resources.
• Monitor your child’s online activities.
• Discussinternet safety and establish basic rules. For age-appropriate rules, visit www.netsmartz.org/resources/pledges.
• Remindyour child not to reply to inappropriate messages. If he receives one, he should tell a trusted adult.
Helping Children Learn®
Published in English and Spanish, September through May.Publisher: L. Andrew McLaughlin.
Publisher Emeritus: John H. Wherry, Ed.D. Editor: Alison McLean.
Staff Editors: Rebecca Miyares & Erika Beasley. Production Manager: Pat Carter.
Translations Editor: Victoria Gaviola. Layout & Illustrations: Maher & Mignella, Cherry Hill, NJ.
ShowyourchildtheworldIt’s a great big world. You can help expand your child’s knowledge of other countries and cultures. Together:
• Readaboutcustoms of people around the world.
• Watchplays,moviesor puppet shows about life in other lands. Many libraries and museums present these programs.
• Learnforeignphrases. Learn to count to 10 and say hello and thank you.
• WatchTVprograms about other countries. Locate the places on a map.
___1.Doyoumakesure your child goes to bed in time to get nine to 12 hours of sleep?
___2.Doyoumaketime at night for your child to lay out clothes and pack his book bag?
___3.Doesyourchildhave a checklist of things he must do to get ready in the morning?
___4.Doyougive your child “two-minute warnings” to ease transitions?
___5.Doyoubuild extra time into your family’s morning schedule?
Howwellareyoudoing?More yes answers mean you are helping your child move efficiently in the morning. For each no, try that idea.
PavethepathtosuccessResearch shows that children do better in school when their parents have high (but realistic) expectations for them. When your child knows you believe she can succeed, she’ll believe it, too. So, send her to school with an “I know you can do it!” She’ll have the confidence she needs to do her best.
Source: S. Wilder, “Effects of parental involvement on academic achievement: a meta-synthesis,” Educational Review, niswc.com/expectations.
A: Your child is going through a tough time. Being separated from a parent is always hard. During the holidays, it can be even harder. Here are some ways to help:
• Letyourchildknowit is OK to miss her father. Say something like, “We love Daddy very much. Of course we’re going to miss him. Whenever you feel sad, you can talk to me.”
• Helpyourhusbandstayintouch with your child as well as with you. Encourage him to call, send videos and email. Then, help your daughter reply.
• Talktoyourchild’steacher. Be sure she understands your daughter’s situation. Ask her how to help your child get her grades back on track.
• Talktoyourchildaboutholidaytraditionsyou want to continue. Even though it won’t be like other years, baking, decorating or watching a favorite holiday video together can make this a special time for you both.
• Lookforwaysyouandyourchildcanhelpothers. Your child may view her problems differently when she sees others who need help.
Are you making mornings easier?Does your child have trouble getting ready for school on time? Some kids seem to have only one speed—slow. But there are things parents can do to help. Are you helping your dawdler get going? Answer yes or no below:
Reading will make your child a better writer—and vice versa. That’s good news, because both will help her do well in every subject. Here are ways she can explore the link between read-ing and writing.
Try genresIntroduce your
youngster to a wide variety of books, from fairy tales and science fiction to graphic nov-els and biographies. Reading different genres will give her more options to think about—suggest that she branch out and try writing in one of those new genres.
Collect “gems”Have your child keep a notebook of
her favorite parts of stories. She could choose interesting words or lines. She’ll get in the habit of paying close attention
Weather emergency kit
Let your youngster help you prepare for winter emergencies. Brainstorm what you might need if the power goes out or if you’re stuck inside dur-ing a snowstorm. Examples: Flash-lights, batteries, bottled water, canned goods, first aid kit. Together, put the items in a box and find a safe place to keep it.
Thinking gamesStretch your child’s thinking skills by playing Fortunately, Unfortunately. One person states a good event (“Fortunately, all the stoplights have been green”). The next player says a silly, but related, “bad” event (“Unfor-tunately, the law changed, and green means Stop”). Continue until you get stuck—then start over.
Your child’s digital footprintIt’s tempting to post cute pictures of your youngster or tell funny parent-ing stories on social media—but first consider his feelings. And since his online trail will stick with him for-ever, think about how he’ll feel when he’s older. Get his permission before posting, or let him decide who will be able to see it (say, only relatives).
Worth quoting“Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow-ripening fruit.” Aristotle
Q: Why did the girl wear one mitten and one boot?
A: Because she heard there was a 50 percent chance of snow.
Connect reading and writingSHORT NOTES
JUST FOR FUN
Volunteer successWhether you’re volunteering in your youngster’s
school or from home, consider these tips.
Contact the teacher. Let him know you’d like to help, tell him when you’re available, and find out what he needs.
Follow the rules. Ask questions if you’re not sure what’s expected. For instance, are home-baked goods acceptable, or do treats have to be store-bought and sealed, with ingredi-ents listed? Are younger siblings allowed to come along? What are the guidelines for keeping student information confidential?
Enjoy the experience! Volunteering is rewarding for parents, teachers, and students. Know that you’re making a difference, and talk to your child about how you’re helping out.♥
to the language that writers use, which will give her ideas for her own writing.
Review booksYour youngster could be a budding
book critic and write reviews about what she reads. She’ll practice opinion writing and deepen her reading comprehension as she summarizes the plot. Encourage her to include details and quotes from the book to back up her opinions. (“The main character showed empathy when he said, ‘I know what it’s like to be the new kid in school.’”)♥
Torrance Unified School DistrictBen Egan, Director - State & Federal Projects
To provide busy parents with practical ideas that promote school success, parent involvement,
and more effective parenting.
Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated
128 N. Royal Avenue • Front Royal, VA 22630540-636-4280 • [email protected]
www.rfeonline.com
ISSN 1540-5621
O U R P U R P O S E
Home & School CONNECTION® December 2016 • Page 2
Q: I’ve been hearing a lot lately about executive function skills. What are they, and should I be
helping my son work on them?
A: These skills let your child manage himself, like an executive overseeing the operations of a company or an air-traffic controller directing flights for landing. A student with good executive func-tion skills is able to juggle tasks, plan
ahead, stay organized, and make deci-sions about his actions.
You could help your son sharpen these skills with strategy games. For example, chess is ideal because players must plan several moves in advance and consider multiple possibilities. Or try 20
Questions, since players have to keep in mind answers to all previ-ous questions as they decide what to ask next.♥
Be your own “CEO”
A dependable childKyle’s parents count on him to walk his little
sister home from school. And Jamal’s parents know he’ll remember to set the table with-out being asked. These parents are raising dependable youngsters—and you can, too, with these suggestions:
● Talk to your child about who depends on you. You could say, “My company relies on me to be on time, so I have to leave for work now.” Your youngster will see that being dependable is a part of life.
● When you need your child to do something, let him know you’re counting on him. He’ll be likely to meet your expectations if you say something like “I know I can depend on you to feed the dog.”
● Show your youngster how good it feels to fol-
low through when some-one is relying on him. You
might have him sign up to work with a student who is learning English or who needs extra help with math. Use encouraging comments such as, “I know Julian looks forward to seeing you every day,” or “I bet David is learning a lot from you.”♥
Navigating group projectsLearning to work on assignments as a
group is an important part of school. Share this advice for helping your youngster suc-ceed with projects and presentations.
Get inputEveryone in the group should give input.
Your child might get quieter members to express their opinions by asking, “Which format do you like for our presentation?”
List dutiesAt the first meeting, one person can write and distribute a list of responsibilities,
including due dates for each task. That way, everyone will remember what they’re supposed to do.
Update each other During follow-up meetings, group members should give updates on their prog-
ress and brainstorm solutions to any problems. If anyone is falling behind, other members could offer support or ideas.♥
DIY wrapping paperLet your child design homemade
wrapping paper—and show thoughtful-ness by personalizing each person’s package. Try these ideas.
Sponge stamps. Help your youngster cut apart large brown paper bags. Then, she could cut sponges into stars, hearts, or other shapes, and dip them into paint. Sug-gest that she stamp them onto the paper in a pattern (heart, star, star, heart, star, star).
“Mapping” paper. Have an old atlas? Your child might cut out maps and tape them together to make sheets of wrap-ping paper. If she’s sending a gift to a relative in another state or country, she could select a map of that place.
Artwork. Who wouldn’t love to receive your youngster’s original artwork? Ask her to wrap a few gifts in her own paint-ings or sketches.♥
Home&SchoolTrabajando juntos para el éxito escolar CONNECTION
La lectura logrará que su hija escriba mejor y viceversa. Esto es bueno, por-que ambas cosas contribuirán a que vaya bien en cada una de sus asigna-turas. He aquí ma-neras de explorar la relación entre la lectura y la escritura.
Exploren distintos génerosDé a conocer a su hija una amplia varie-
dad de libros, desde cuentos de hadas y ciencia ficción hasta novelas gráficas y bio-grafías. Leer distintos géneros le dará más opciones que podrá tener en cuenta: sugié-rale que explore y que intente escribir en uno de estos nuevos géneros.
Coleccionen “perlas”Dígale a su hija que anote en una libreta
las partes favoritas de los cuentos que lea. Podría elegir palabras o líneas interesantes. Se habituará a prestar atención al lenguaje
Kit para emergencias climatológicas
Su hijo puede ayudar en los preparati-vos para las emergencias del invierno. Piensen juntos qué pueden necesitar si se va la luz o si no pueden salir durante un temporal de nieve. Ejemplos: Linter-nas, pilas, botellas de agua, latas de co-mida, botiquín de primeros auxilios. Pongan los objetos en una caja y coló-quenla en un lugar seguro.
Juegos de pensarEjercite la habilidad de pensar de su hija jugando a Afortunadamente, Desafortu-nadamente. Una persona menciona un acontecimiento bueno (“Afortunada-mente todos los semáforos estaban en verde”). El siguiente jugador menciona un acontecimiento absurdo y “malo”, pero relacionado con el anterior (“Desa-fortunadamente la ley cambió y verde significa Stop”). Continúen hasta que no se les ocurran más cosas y empiecen de nuevo.
Huella digital de su hijoEs muy tentador publicar en las redes sociales fotos lindas de su hijo o contar historias divertidas de su vida familiar, pero tenga en cuenta los sentimientos de su hijo. Y como su historia en la red lo seguirá toda la vida, piense en cómo se sentirá cuando sea mayor. Pídale permiso antes de colgar algo en la red o bien déjele decidir quién podrá verlo (por ejemplo, sólo sus familiares).
Vale la pena citar“El deseo de hacer amigos llega con ra-pidez, pero la amistad es un fruto que madura lentamente”. Aristóteles
P: ¿Por qué se puso la niña una manopla y una bota?
R: Porque oyó que había 50 por ciento de posibilidades de nieve.
Conectar la lectura y la escritura
SIMPLEMENTE CÓMICO
Éxito en el voluntariadoTanto si ayuda como voluntario en la escuela de su
hijo o desde casa, considere estos consejos.
Póngase en contacto con el maestro. Explí-quele que le gustaría ayudar, dígale cuándo está dis-ponible y averigüe qué necesita.
Siga las normas. Pregunte si no está seguro de lo que se espera de usted. Por ejemplo, ¿están permitidos los dulces hechos en casa o deben ser comprados en la tienda y sellados, con un lista de ingredientes? ¿Puede llevar a los hermanitos más jóvenes? ¿Cuáles son las direc-trices para que la información sobre los estudiantes sea confidencial?
¡Disfrute de la experiencia! El voluntariado en la escuela es gratificante para padres, maestros y estudiantes. Sea consciente de su aportación positiva y cuéntele a su hijo cómo está ayudando.♥
NOTAS BREVES
que usan los escritores y eso le dará ideas para sus propios escritos.
Reseñen librosSu hija podría ser recensora de libros en
ciernes y escribir reseñas sobre lo que lee. Practicará la expresión por escrito de opi-niones y profundizará la comprensión de lo que lee cuando resuma el argumento. Anímela a que incluya detalles y citas del libro para respaldar sus opiniones. (“El personaje principal mostró empatía cuan-do dijo: ‘Sé lo que se siente cuando se es nuevo en la escuela’”.)♥
Torrance Unified School DistrictBen Egan, Director - State & Federal Projects
Home & School CONNECTION® Diciembre de 2016 • Página 2
Proporcionar a los padres ideas prácticas que promuevan el éxito escolar, la participación de los
padres y un mejor entendimiento entre padres e hijos.
Resources for Educators, una filial de CCH Incorporated
128 N. Royal Avenue • Front Royal, VA 22630540-636-4280 • [email protected]
www.rfeonline.com
ISSN 1540-563X
N U E S T R A F I N A L I D A D
P: Últimamente oigo mucho hablar de las destrezas de la función ejecu-tiva. ¿Qué son y debería ayudar a
que mi hijo las practique?
R: Estas destrezas permiten que su hijo se gestione a sí mismo, igual que un ejecutivo supervisa las operaciones de una compañía o un controlador aéreo dirige los vuelos para el aterrizaje. Un es-tudiante con buenas destrezas de fun-ción ejecutiva sabe compati-bilizar tareas,
planear con tiempo, ser organizado y tomar decisiones sobre lo que ha de hacer.
Usted podría ayudar a su hijo a perfec-cionar estas habilidades con juegos de es-trategia. Por ejemplo, el ajedrez es ideal porque los jugadores deben planear varias jugadas con anticipación y considerar múl-
tiples posibilidades. O bien prueben con 20 Preguntas,
dado que los jugadores deben tener en cuenta las respuestas a todas las pre-guntas anteriores para decidir qué preguntarán a continuación.♥
Sé tu propio Director Ejecutivo
Hijos fiablesLos padres de Kyle cuentan con que acom-
pañe a su hermanita al volver del colegio. Y los padres de Jamal saben que recordará poner la mesa sin que se lo pidan. Estos padres están educando a hijos fiables y usted puede tam-bién hacerlo con estas sugerencias:
● Dígale a su hijo quién depende de usted. Podría decir: “Mi compañía confía en que yo llegue con puntualidad así que tengo que mar-charme ahora”. Su hijo entenderá que ser fiable es parte de la vida.
● Cuando necesite que su hijo haga algo, explíquele que cuenta con él. Es más probable que haga lo que usted se espera si usted dice algo como “Sé que puedo confiar en que des de comer al perro”.
● Enséñele a su hijo lo bien que sienta cumplir lo pro-metido cuando alguien con-fía en él. Podría decirle que
se comprometa a trabajar con un estudiante que está apren-
diendo inglés o que necesita ayuda adicional con las matemáticas. Use comentarios alentado-res como “Sé que a Julian le hace mucha ilusión verte cada día” o “Seguro que David está aprendiendo mucho de ti”.♥
Guía para los proyectos en grupoAprender a colaborar como grupo en tra-
bajos escolares es una parte importante del colegio. Comparta con su hija estos consejos para ayudarla a tener éxito con sus proyectos y presentaciones.
Consigue aportesTodos los componentes del grupo deben apor-
tar algo. Su hija podría conseguir que los miembros más callados expresen sus opiniones preguntando: “¿Qué formato te gustaría para nuestra presentación?”
Lista de funcionesEn la primera reunión una persona puede escribir y distribuir una lista de responsabili-
dades, incluyendo las fechas para cada labor. Así todos recordarán lo que tienen que hacer.
Puesta al díaEn reuniones posteriores los miembros del grupo deberían poner al corriente al resto
sobre sus avances y pensar juntos en soluciones a los problemas que tengan. Si alguien se está quedando atrás otros miembros podrían ofrecer apoyo o ideas.♥
Mi propio papel de envolver
Su hija puede diseñar papel de envolver y mostrar consideración a los demás per-sonalizando el paquete de cada persona. Ponga a prueba estas ideas.
Estampillas de esponja. Ayude a su hija a abrir bolsas grandes de papel. A continuación podría recortar esponjas en forma de es-trellas, corazo-nes u otras formas y mo-jarlas en pintura. Su-giérale que las estampe en el papel for-mando una secuencia (corazón, estrella, estrella, corazón, estrella, estrella).
Papel de mapas. ¿Tienen un atlas viejo? Su hija podría cortar mapas y pegar-los para hacer folios de papel de envolver. Si está enviando un regalo a un familiar que vive en otro estado o en otro país po-dría seleccionar un mapa de ese lugar.
Arte. ¿A quién no le gustaría recibir las creaciones artísticas de su hija? Dígale que envuelva unos cuantos regalos en sus pro-pias pinturas o dibujos.♥
P&
R
RINCÓN DEACTIVIDAD
Torrance Unified School District
2335 PLAZA DEL AMO P. O. BOX 2954
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA 90509-2954
TELEPHONE (310) 972-6500
www.tusd.org
BOARD OF EDUCATION MARTHA DEUTSCH
DON LEE TERRY RAGINS MARK STEFFEN
MICHAEL WERMERS
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
GEORGE W. MANNON, Ed. D.
4th-5th Grade GATE Testing: Parent Notification & Permission to Test Form
Dear Parent or Guardian:
One of the goals of the TUSD GATE program is to identify students with exceptional abilities, well beyond grade or age expectations.
TUSD GATE testing for identification purposes occurs only in grades 3-5.
How do students qualify for TUSD GATE?
There are two qualifiers for placement in the 2016-2017 TUSD GATE Program for 4-5th grade students:
A) Intellectual Category
Students scoring at or above the 95th percentile on
the TUSD administrated GATE assessment
(NNAT3 or OLSAT8) are identified.
B) High-Achievement Category
Identification under this category is based on a combination of the scores
achieved on both the most recent administrated TUSD GATE assessment
(NNAT3 or OLSAT8) and the results from the 2016 Smarter Balanced
Assessment (SBAC).
Who is eligible for TUSD GATE testing?
4-5th Grade Student Taking TUSD
GATE Test for the First Time
4-5th Grade Student Taking TUSD
GATE Test for the Second Time
Student Participated in TUSD
GATE Test Twice OR Already
Identified TUSD GATE
NNAT3 only
Choice between NNAT3 (or) OLSAT8
Not eligible for further testing.
If your student qualifies for 4-5th grade GATE testing and you would like your student to
participate, please complete and sign the permission form on the reverse side of this letter.
Submit forms to your student’s teacher by December 2, 2016. Unlike the process for universal
3rd grade testing, 4-5th grade GATE testing requires parents to submit a signed permission form.
What are the differences between the NNAT3 and OLSAT8?
NNAT3 (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test)
The NNAT3 is used for initial testing in TUSD and
assesses cognitive abilities, but strictly through nonverbal
means. No vocabulary of any kind is used in the test.
Instead, students are given visual images, designs and
models which need to be organized and sequenced.
Before beginning the test, our proctors tell students to
look at the NNAT3 test like a game - a puzzle. The
NNAT3 is administered through an online platform.
OLSAT8 (Otis Lennon School Ability Test)
If your student has previously tested for GATE in TUSD, you now have a
choice between the NNAT3 or the OLSAT8. The OLSAT8 measures
verbal comprehension and reasoning, pictorial reasoning, figural
reasoning, and quantitative reasoning through such tasks as detecting
likenesses and differences, recalling words and numbers, defining words,
following directions, classifying, establishing sequence, solving
arithmetic problems, and completing analogies. The OLSAT8 is a paper
and pencil assessment (scantron and test booklet).
Students who participate in GATE testing will receive a score explanation generated by the test developer, Pearson Education. Along
with the score report, you will receive a letter from the district indicating eligibility status for GATE placement. This information will
be mailed home approximately 12 weeks after all testing is completed
Please refer to the GATE link on the district website (under the Departments and Educational Services tabs) for more information
regarding GATE identification and services in TUSD. For further questions, please contact Heather Nakasuji, GATE Resource
Dear Parent/Guardian: On Monday, December 12, 2016, the students at FERN school will be offered a special snack as part of the Healthy Ever After Nutrition Lesson #2. The healthy snack will include Organic, Gluten Free, Whole Grain, Low Sodium, Blue Corn Tortilla Chips with Guacamole. Please review the ingredients lists below and return this completed form and indicate if you do not want your child to eat the snack. Thank you.
Ingredients
Organic, Gluten Free, Whole Grain, Low Sodium, Blue Corn Tortilla Chips: Stone ground corn, sunflower and/or safflower oil, sea salt, trace of lime. Guacamole: Hass avocado, red bell pepper, serrano pepper, sugar, onion powder, salt, garlic, ascorbic acid, xanthan gum, lime juice, jalapeno pepper, citric acid, and cilantro. Total Carbohydrates: 6.25 grams/serving 4.75 grams – 2 to 3 Blue Tortilla Chips 1.5 grams – 1 Tbsp of Guacamole
