Cercor

Five Tips for a Family Fun Canadian Thanksgiving

It's the first holiday long weekend since the school year began and we have all been busy with new beginnings, routines and adjustments from summer mode.  Take some time this weekend to enjoy and spend time with your family.  

Here are some ways to get your children involved, engaged, and active this weekend!                                              

1.  Enjoy those fall colours!  Whether you are up at   the cottage or in the heart of the city, get outside and observe the signs of fall.  Encourage your child to use his/her senses to experience everything this season has to offer.  Your child could create a fall scavenger hunt for the family to complete while on the walk.  This checklist is a simple but great starting point.  Download CHECKLIST 

2.  Give Thanks!  Encourage your child to write thank you notes for family members.  Why not place them on the table to add something special to your table setting?  I am thankful for you because...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Thanksgiving Words  Many children enjoy word games and activities.  Print out these examples for your child to use:

• Download TurkeyOutline  Your child can create a word search using this outline.  Encourage him/her to use Thanksgiving words or family member names.  
• Download AutumnWordsearch  Watch your child search for words using this word puzzle.

4.  Become a Leaf Expert!  The yards, parks, forests, and sidewalks are covered with leaves.  Go on a leaf hunt.  Collect leaves and sort them by shape, colour, pattern, etc.  Use this opportunity to discuss different types of trees.  Does your child know why leaves change colour?  Create a leaf collage or do some leaf rubbings!

5.  Chef Junior Give your child some responsibilities in the kitchen.  I always liked helping my mom with baking.  I was given the task of measuring ingredients.  This is real life learning at its best!  Ask your child to measure that cup of flour or to pour 1/4 tsp of vanilla.  Not only will he/she be solidifying math skills, your child will take ownership of helping cook the Thanksgiving meal!

Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian followers!

 

 

5 Ways to Inspiring Writing

It's the age old question - how do we inspire our children to write?  Here are some tricks I used in the classroom that did wonders with my students.  Try them at home with your struggling writers.  You never know what will ignite the spark!

1. Pinpoint the 3-5 things your child is absolutely passionate about.  Use these interests as the themes/topic for writing.

http://www.focusladder.com/Other_Services.php

2 Writing Disguised: Don't dismiss the power of comics.  Many students enjoy comics and graphic novels, and would LOVE to create comics.  Perhaps this may be the way your child can begin to discover that writing can be fun. Check out these cool comic creators online:

• Toondoo A website that allows the user to create their own comic strips and even comic books using the templates provided or using your own pictures.
• Myths and Legends Story Creator  A fun website that students can use to create their own cartoon myth story. This is  more than just your typical drag and drop cartoon builder..it allows students to create sound effects to insert into their stories.

If your little one is not into comics, how about drawing a picture and writing a caption or a few sentences about it?  

3. Open ended Journal Prompts: Use your child's interests to come up with some intriguing journal prompts.  ie.  If you could have any superpower in the world, what would it be?  If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?

4. Perhaps an Audience is All they Need?  Writing on a blank piece of paper  that no one will ever see is not very motivating.  Give your little writer an audience! How about starting a blog amongst family members where cousins can share photos, captions, and anecdotes about what is going on? 

5.  White space can be overwhelming: Knowing that you have to write something a certain length is intimidating.  I used to cover up half the page for my second graders and have them only look at a few lines at a time.  This helped reduce anxiety.  I'd also try not to give them a time limit for certain assignments.

The Homework Nook: 5 Ways to Create an Inviting Learning Space at Home

When my 8 month old starts school, I'd like to create a fabulous learning space for her at home.  Yes, she'll have the desk, the paper, and markers, but it will be a unique space that she'll love to work in.  I want to take some extra time creating an at home learning environment the same way I did for my students when I set up my classroom.  Teachers spend so much time creating a warm and inviting learning environment for their students. Why can't we do it at home too? Here's some inspiration...

1. Add a special flair to the learning space.  Whether it be sheers, beads, a whiteboard, or a gigantic stuffed animal, add something that makes it special and inviting to your child.

http://creativeorganizing.typepad.com/creative_organizing/2010/08/getting-organized-for-back-to-school-setting-up-a-homework-station.html

http://karenrussell.typepad.com/my_lifejust_not_on_the_ro/2008/03/their-room.html

http://www.livinglocurto.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/officecloset.jpg

2. We have them in classrooms. Why not add book bins or a special library area with throw pillows to your child's room? Make it a special where your child can relax and sink into a good book, or even just retreat to when he/she needs to cool off.  I'd even add a lamp and a plant and rotate books in and out every so often to keep things novel and exciting.

http://www.livinglocurto.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/officecloset.jpg

3. Create a writing center.  Have fun papers, pens and pencils, art materials, etc handy and organized. Introduce new mediums, tools every so often.  We want to inspire exploration, discovery, and learning.  Hey, a computer would be fabulous as well.

http://karenrussell.typepad.com/my_lifejust_not_on_the_ro/2008/03/their-room.html

4. How about a core ball instead of a chair?  Don't they have these at the Google offices? If that's too much for you, what about an air filled cushion for the young ones?  This helps with the wiggles.

http://askinyourface.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/FSP0142794_Veer.jpg

http://www.hgcorner.com/search.php?q=merchant:CSN+Fitness+Equipments:

5. Why not give a special name to this special space?  My personal favorite: "the cave".

Want to share photos of your homework nook?  Send them over!! We'd love more inspiration!

5 Back to School Night Tips

I've been through one too many Back to School nights and I can honestly say that  it is one of the most stressful nights for a teacher. In 45 minutes, teachers do their best to 1) prove themselves to parents 2) try to make parents feel comfortable about the new school yea and 3) discuss the entire curriculum. All the while, parents are pretty much trying to do one thing - decide if this is a good teacher for their child.  A bit overwhelming for both sides, huh? Here are some things to keep in mind...

1) Read the Classroom walls - This is a fabulous way to learn about the teacher. Take note of curricular areas represented, student work on walls, organization of materials

2) Review the Back to School Night Handout - Teachers spend a lot of time putting this together. You'll be surprised at how many of your questions about procedure, expectations, and program are answered.

3) Take notes -  So much content in so little time. Take notes on areas of interest or concern.

4) Smile - A smile from a parent is always so reassuring for the teacher.  So many times I felt like I was rattling off to a sea of parents who were either 1) unimpressed or 2) overwhelmed.  In reality, they were just trying to keep up with all the information I was presenting!

4) Trust your Teacher - Trust your teacher as the professional!  Parents that show trust for a teacher's program and curriculum are always the most supportive. Of course, a few suggestions on how they can help support your child will always be welcomed. 

5 Tips to Help Your Child Edit a Piece of Writing

Parents always ask how to help edit a child's written work. Should I correct ALL the spelling errors, offer grammatical suggestions?   How much is too much?   Here's what worked for me with my 2nd graders.  My goal was to provide just enough guidance to help them discover their errors, yet to preserve their confidence and pride over their work.  

1. Keep the pen in your child's hand.  Ever received a piece of writing that you worked so hard on that was all marked up in red? Felt pretty bad huh? Instead of doing the correcting yourself, try to keep the pen in your child's hand!  He/she will do the editing with guidance from you.   

 2. Select a special editing and proofreading pencil. Perhaps find a color other than red just to mix it up a bit.

3. Ask your child to re-read his/her work to you.  Watch as your little one finds mistakes on his/her own. “Oh, I forgot to capitalize.” “Hey, that didn’t make sense.”   

4. Suggest an editing and proofreading checklist for reference. This is a great self-check tool to use when writing. Download CERCOREditandProof

5. Offer suggestions for mis-spelled words/grammar corrections that your child missed - especially if they are weekly spelling words, or concepts that are being taught at school.

Your goal is to show your child how to find his/her own mistakes by providing appropriate (but not overwhelming) guidance.  You want to ensure your child remains confident, and most importantly, owns his/her work.

Top 5 Things your Teacher wants to Know at the Beginning of the Year

At the beginning of each school year, I always send home a short questionnaire that helps me get to know my students.  I can't tell you how much these responses help me set the tone and develop a special connection with each child.  Share this info with your teacher...and don't worry about being over the top.  He/she will surely appreciate it.  

1.  Of course your child is wonderful!  Share a few outstanding talents or traits!  (this is such a special way for a teacher to connect with a student)

2.  Your  hopes and dreams for your child this school year (teachers want to know your goals for your child !)

3.  Your concerns and areas of support your child may need  (help relieve some of your back to school anxiety and open up lines of communication from the get-go)

4. Your child's interests/favorite things (the teacher can capitalize on your child's interests when planning - selecting interesting books, offering special writing prompts, etc.)

5. Anything special about your family’s culture, traditions, or experiences that your family or your child might like to share with the class at some point in the year? (teachers can celebrate your child and your family)