J2 SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

• Support your child’s reading for at least twenty minutes per night. Your child should have a baggie with independent reading books to choose from at home. It’s likely that by now or at some point this term these books will be longer chapter books. You might help your young reader get started reading by asking, “Where are you now in this book? What kinds of problems are the characters dealing with?” You might set aside a similar time every evening for this reading, as well as a comfortable, cozy spot. Reading your own book at the same time can show that you also value reading in your life, and can help to build a feeling of connection around reading.

• Check your favorite local bookstore for author visits and other events. We are lucky to live in the heart of book culture! There are always amazing children’s literature events just around the corner. Some notable destinations this fall could include: https://booksofwonder.com/blogs/upcoming; https://www.bookculture.com/event; https://www.bankstreetbooks.com/event.

Students will be working on opinion writing this term. Activities that encourage debate, along with explanations of reasons, can really support young writers. 

• Would you rather?  Answer the questions and provide reasons. Responses could be discussed, written or compared between family members.

• Check out Spaghetti Book Club: a site for children to share their opinions about books. You might even contribute one yourself. 

• Encourage writing projects. If your child is passionate about a tv show, a restaurant, a book or series, or a social or political issue, you could encourage them to draw and write to tell others the reasons for their feelings. If they are interested in sharing their thoughts with a larger audience, you could help them submit their piece to an online or print magazine. Amazing Kids! accepts submissions from kids as young as 5.

• Emphasize reasoning when taking and making requests. We know that your kids make many requests: for more time at a friend’s, for that game or that toy that they just have to have. In these conversations, nudging your child to expand on the reasons why they are asking for something helps to build opinion-writing muscles. “What’s your first reason?” you might say; “What’s another reason?” You might also make clear the reasons behind requests you make by listing in this way.

• Read picture books that feature kids speaking out.  The current Humanities unit focuses on the rights of children. Your child will benefit from additional thinking and conversations about children who have spoken out or acted to address issues in the world. Picture books are an excellent way to begin these kinds of talks. Here is just one list of possible titles, though a simple search will lead you to many more: 10 Books That Empower Kids to Stand Up and Speak Out.

• Watch: The World’s Largest Lesson Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cEUhHTlcDU&t=236s

How might you and your family invent, innovate and/or campaign. 

• Watch the Needs and Wants BrainPop Jr video we watched in class. Choose an activity to complete online. https://jr.brainpop.com/socialstudies/economics/needsandwants/

Username: unis

Password: unispop

• Watch: What are child rights video  - UNICEF Australia  Reading/Viewing:

Rewatch the video: What are child rights? by UNICEF Australia https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=47&v=V1BFLitBkco 

Discuss what Ruby means when she says the Convention on the Rights of the child is like a promise.

• Together, make some essential Agreements for your home. Students in every class at UNIS, participate in creating class agreements to make the class safe, caring and joyful. Ask your child what some of their class agreements are. These are generally 4-5 rules that everyone can agree to follow. 

• UNIS adheres to the IB Learner Profile which aims to develop learners who are: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, and Reflective. We encourage the use of this Brain Tool to help your child reflect on their day and to encourage our students to care for their body and mind, and to maintain a balance in their busy little lives. 

• Visit the 30 symbols of children, representing 30 children's rights. These are stationed outside the United Nations for the General Assembly to mark the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 

• With UN Day celebrations approaching, take some time to learn about the history and meaning behind the flags of your nationality, and some important facts you might like to share about your country and culture. 

• Math Lines  In this game, race to pair numbers that add up to a target sum. Before your child plays, review the pairs of numbers that add up to the target sum. You might even look at different ways to make the number using game pieces, marbles, or pennies.

• Addition with Manipulatives  Players see and hear an addition problem. They can drag marbles onto a work surface to help them figure out the problem. Play includes five levels of addition, starting with simple 1-digit problems. Players must score 70% or greater to advance levels. Audio directions.

• Clear It Addition  Create number sentences that add up to the target numbers provided. Earn stars for extra points and clear the board before the timer runs out.

• Balloon Pop Subtraction  View a subtraction problem and pop balloons to figure out the solution. Three levels of difficulty available as well as audio directions.

• How Many Under the Shell?  Determine how many bubbles are left under the shell after Otka hides them. Choose addition, subtraction, or both.

• Ducky Race Subtraction  Race other players by being the fastest duck in the pond.

• Give the Dog a Bone  Find 10 "bones" by identifying numbers on a blank 100's grid.

• 10s go fish card game 

• Addition battle 

• Connect 4 Addition

• Race to 100 aka pig 

• Doubles plus or minus 1 - a 9 sided die is needed for this game. 

• The Kid Should See This

• Wonderopolis 

• BBC Dancemat for typing Practice