Thursday's Teaching Word: Word Families

Do you know what ail, pail, mail, and fail have in common?
Yup, you guessed it!
They are a part of word families!
Word Families are words that share the same pattern of letters.
For example: main, pain, stain, and gain share "-ain."
When a child is able to identify the "-ain" chunk or other word family chunks,
then the child is more likely able to identify similar words.
This will eventually allow the child to read better and become fluent with his/ her reading.
If you feel that your child could use some help with reading,
consider this approach during your reading time with your child.
An approach that I have used with my children is before we read a story,
we will review the text and identify 1 or 2 word families in our story.

Here are some links that I hope you find valuable:

• {Click Here} A Word Family Chart
• {Click Here} Word Family Activities
• {Click Here} Teaching Children to Read with Word Families

Happy Reading!

Nominate Your Favorite Teacher

Do you want to nominate a teacher for Family Magazine's Teacher of the Month?

Just send their name, preferred contact information,
and a brief description of why you think they should be considered to:
editor@familymagazinegroup.com

Let that teacher know how much you care!

Are you looking for something fun to do this weekend?

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

hosts a phenomenal program for children called,

“Program for Young Audiences.”

My family and I have attended a few performances

and were highly impressed with what the program has to offer!

This weekend they are featuring a 3-time Grammy award winner, Tom Chapin!

The children’s concert is

January 24, 2010 at 1:30 and 3:30.

Tickets are $12  for Adults and $8 for children.

They can be purchased online, phone or in person.

For more information,

 please check out

(click here) Tom Chapin at the La Mirada Theatre for Performing Arts.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

Thursday's Teaching Word: Homework and Motivation

This "Thursday's Teaching Word" is ...HOMEWORK

Have you ever had that moment when it's time for your child to complete their

homework and it becomes a huuuuuuuuuge ordeal?

In our home, we do homework at the same time
EVERY DAY..

so it should not be a surprise that it's homework time.

However, there are times,
that it seems like a big battle..

Then, I begin to wonder...
"Do they do this at school?" or...

"If only my child had the initiative to
complete their homework...
on their own."

If you are experiencing the same thing,

the answer may be ... {drumroll please}

MOTIVATION!!!

Motivating your child can be as simple as using

motivational words such as:

Amazing

Astonishing

Brilliant

Excellent

Extraordinary

Fabulous

Fantastic

Incredible

Marvelous

Mind-blowing

Out of this world

Outstanding

Remarkable

Spectacular

Super

Superb

Terrific

Tremendous

Unbelievable

Wonderful

But if that isn't working for you, there are other means of motivational tools you could use.

I have come across a few links
that you may find valuable...

• (Click Here) Tips and Suggestions for Setting up a Routine
• (Click Here) Tips to Make Homework a Positive Thing
• (Click Here) A Q&A Guideline for Parents
• (Click Here) A 25-page document for Parents from the Department of Education

 Enjoy!

MLK Weekend

Our first 3 day weekend of 2010 is here! But most importantly it is a day to celebrate one of our nation's historical figure, Martin Luther King, Jr. Use this weekend as an opportunity to teach your child about MLK's role in the Civil Rights momement. Here are a few fascinating links:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day Activities and Resources for Kids {Click Here}
• Martin Luther King Jr. Valuable Information for Kids {Click Here}
• Martin Luther King Jr. and Lessons Regarding Tolerance {Click Here}
• Martin Luther King Jr Crafts for Kids {Click Here}

Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

Chat soon!

Thursday's Teaching Word: Print Awareness

{Click Here} to see a video clip of how parents can raise print awareness

Print Awareness can occur as early as 18 months of age.

Children will imitate or pretend to read. The book may be upside down, they may turn the pages the "wrong way", and they may use a "reading voice" while pretending. Gradually, the children will hold the book properly, turn the pages one at a time, and even run their fingers along the print as though they were reading it.

Parents and caregivers can help develop print awareness by:

•Run a finger under the words as they are read

•Call attention to signs and print on the road, at the store, in restaurants

•Write messages to your children to show that print is useful and carries meaning

•The symbols on a page are called letters; when all together, they are called words; and words have meaning

•The series of words on the front of a book is the title and, likely, the name of the author and illustrator

•A book has a front and a back, a top and a bottom

•Show how we turn the pages of the book from right to left, but we read the words from left to right.

•We start at the top of the page (or paragraph) when reading

•We read the words in a book (rather than "reading" the pictures)

Happy Reading!

Stay tuned for Thursday's Teaching Word!

Yeah! Have you ever had that awkward moment in a Parent- Teacher conference and the teacher mentions things like: metacognition, cognitive, proficient, and, CVC words and you had no clue what (s)he meant? Well, you are in luck! Tomorrow, will be the first of weekly posts featuring words that are commonly used in education. Stay tuned!

How to Decide Whether Your Child Should Stay Home from School - Parenthood.com

Photo courtesy of Parenthood.com Winter time= cold/ flu season... Of course.. load up on Purell and Kleenex But how do you know, when they are too sick for school? Please visit Parenthood.com for some tips to determine How to Decide Whether Your Child Should Stay Home from School - Parenthood.com Chat soon!

Kids Eat Free

Did someone say..."free?"

Yes, sir-eee..

Kids can eat free

Check Out KidsEatFor to find a deal near you.

(Click Here)

Best part is "there's an app for that".

If you have an iPhone or iPod,

you can download the app

Chat soon!

New Year.. New You

Happy New Year! What's your goal this year? Let's begin with organizing! Here are a few links that might help. Click on the following:

• Overcome Organizing Overwhelm
• Free Printable Goal List
• Organize the Kids' Room

Hope that helps! Chat soon!

Welcome to Orchard Dales's Family {Blog}

{In a Sarcastic Voice}

I was a PERFECT parent..

I had all the answers to everything...

until I had kids...

I soon realized

(after my precious-bundle-of- joys were born)

that PARENTING IS NOT EASY!

and most importantly...

"Perfect Parents" do not exist.

I also realized that,

"It Takes A Village To Raise A Child."

Families...you need to know

that you are NOT alone.

You are surrounded

by a community

that is here to support you.

Hence, this website :)

The school site council (SSC)

at Orchard Dale Elementary

has created this website as a

resource for you and your family.

It is our goal to keep you posted with

information so that you are connected.

We hope you'll enjoy!

Chat soon!

With Gratitude,

Doreen Peterson

School Site Council