Orchard Dale Family

Friday, January 15, 2010

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:

Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

Chat soon!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

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!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

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!

Monday, January 4, 2010

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!