Resources for Parents

Here are some great websites I've learned about through teaching:
 
Starfall


This is a great website for having students practice their letters and sounds as well as for students that are just learning to read.  In addition, they also have some fun writing activities along with the words you might use with corresponding pictures so that students have a pre made list of words they can use for writing.


PBS Kids

Another good one has both math and reading games students can play in addition to a lot of resources for teachers and parents.  I haven't even begun to explore how many different things you can do on this website.

Multiplication.com 

This website has some fun games to help students practice their multiplication facts.  They also have some other resources on teaching multiplication facts.

Cool Math Games 

This website has some fun games to help students practice their math skills.  
As I find more that I like and recommend I will post them here.

XTRA Math 

This is a great website which allows students to practice their math facts and track their progress.

Developing good organizational skills is a key to success and in school.   Some students, especially students that have ADHD, and/or Learning Disabilities.  There are some things that you as parents can do to help your children stay organized and be successful at school.

1) Designate a quiet study space- It's really important that all students have a quiet place to study.  Take a look at their study space and make sure it's uncluttered and free from distractions.  They should have the things they need for their assignments and nothing else.

2) Designate a study time-It's really helpful if your child has a consistent study time every day so they can develop a routine.  Some students may need to have their work broken up into chunks.  It might be helpful to use timers with them, and tell them do their work for a certain amount of time, take a break, then return to their work.

3) Use checklists- For students that are disorganized it's helpful for them to have checklists or to do lists.  It helps keep them focused.  For those children that are having difficulty following directions and or finishing what they're supposed to do (chores or homework) they might benefit from having a picture schedule of what they're supposed to do, and perhaps a reward when they're finished.

4) Create a household schedule- a household schedule for you children by sticking to a regular bedtime and dinnertime.  This will help them fall into a routine.  Some things to help you stay organized is to create a master schedule with everyone's different activities listed.  That way you're able to avoid scheduling conflicts.  Children that have a regular bedtime, tend to go to school well rested.

5) Keep organized notebooks- Most teachers have a system in place for helping their students stay organized.  Follow along with their routine,  but make sure your child is actually doing what they need to do, to stay organized with their paperwork.

6)  Prepare for the day ahead- Make sure your child has everything they need prepared to go the evening before.  Having a quick checklist that your children can run through to make sure they have everything they need in their backpacks the night before.  Have a system in place for checking homework, and for items that need signatures.  You could have a place your children put their papers.  Then you can sign their paperwork and return to them.  That'll save you in the morning, and you can avoid running around and collecting everything they need.