Parent Resources

Mathematics

  • https://www.khanacademy.org/

  • Roll two dice, have your students add and/or subtract the two numbers

  • Get a deck of cards and play "war" with your student. Have your student add/subtract the value of the cards.

  • Math Board, single player game covering addition and subtraction. Click here.

  • Single player game covering addition and subtraction. Click here.

  • This game appears expensive but will also covers multiplication and division. Click here.

  • https://www.youcubed.org/ This website is not necessarily built for students, but rather is a great website for families looking to become more familiar with the new Common Core mathematics. It is run by Jo Boaler, a Stanford researcher and professor.

Reading

  • http://www.readingrockets.org/

  • 2nd graders should practice reading quietly to themselves, but it never hurts them to hear a fluent reader. Read to your student regularly.

  • Ask your student thoughtful questions about what they reading: what about that book do you like? what/who does the character remind you of? Why? etc.

  • Allow your student to pick their own books. Take trips to the local library.

Writing and Handwriting

  • Encourage your student to keep a journal and write about their day.

  • Hand write letters to family members and friend.

  • Practice neat handwriting have your student hand write the grocery list for you.

  • Practice neat handwriting by having them survey friends and family, let them choose the topic.

  • Practice neat handwriting by having your student make bulletin point lists.

  • Encourage your student to use a dictionary to look up the definition and correct spelling of a word. It may seemed old-fashioned but it's important and remains in the 2nd grade standards.

  • Practice holding a pencil correctly to encourage neat handwriting. Practice by tracing a picture and then coloring it using crayon stubs. Popping bubble wrap and stringing beads will also encourage the same fine motor skill.

  • Make practicing handwriting fun. Allow your student to to use a pencil rainbow pen or golf pencil, or another fun pen of their choice. Allow your student to practice their handwriting in left over sauce, foggy mirrors and windows, a mud puddle using an unsharpened pencil, a stick or their finger.

  • Note: Handwriting consists of space between words, letter formation, sizing, and line-alignment. This often starts with how your student holds a pencil and their posture. Encourage neat posture when writing. Neat posture for writing is sitting my straight holding the top of their paper with their non-dominate hand.

  • Citations:

Scholastic. “5 Ways to Improve Your Child's Handwriting.” Scholastic.com, Scholastic.com.

Scholastic.com, www.scholastic.com/parents/kids-activities-and-printables/activities-for-kids/reading-and-writing-ideas/5-ways-to-improve-your-childs-handwriting.html. n.d., November 24, 2018

Scholastic. “Tips for Poor Pencil Grips.” Scholastic.com, Scholastic.com.

Scholastic.com, https://www.scholastic.com/parents/family-life/parent-child/tips-poor-pencil-grips.html. n.d., November 24, 2018


Tech Skills to Practice at Home

  • Practice proper typing technique on a computer keyboard

  • Clicking URLs

  • Opening another tab or window

  • Escaping full screen

  • Toggling between two tabs and/or windows

Other

  • Practice tying shoes independently.

  • Have your student tell you the time from an analogue clock.

  • Practice counting change with your student.

  • Writing a letter and addressing an envelope.

  • Answering a phone.

  • Calling emergency numbers and reciting their address.