Parents you can join CommonLit.org for free. This website contains a lot of texts for kids of all ages to read. You can search for texts by text form (informational, short stories, various genres), grade level, and even topics. Each text comes with some comprehension questions and discussion questions. Here is how you can introduce a new text to your child:
Preview the Text. Have them preview the text to determine what type of text it is. Is it informational? Argument? Narrative? Then have them preview to determine the main idea. They can use the title, images, captions, subtitles, etc. to help them come up with a preview statement that states the main idea of the text. This helps support kids in developing pre-reading skills and prepares their mind for the reading they are about to do.
Read and Annotate. As your child reads, encourage to annotate the text. If they underline something related to the main idea, encourage them to jot down why they underlined it in the margins. This helps kids to monitor their understanding as they read. If your child struggles reading the entire text, you can chunk the text into smaller parts. This encourages your child to stop and think about what they have read.
Summarize. When they have completed reading, they should review their annotations and write a quick summary of what they have read and answer the comprehension questions.
Discuss. Use the discussion questions to discuss the text with your child.
Reflect. Ask your child questions that help them think about the process they went through to understand the text. How did these strategies help them to better understand the text? Having your child reflect about the process they went through helps your child solidify the learning process that works best for them. Remember, we are teaching our children how to learn, not just what to learn.
Scribd's library which includes millions of ebooks, audiobooks, magazine articles, and more is free to everyone for 30 days.
Audible has created a huge library of books you can access for free for your child to listen to. This webpage is organized by age. The two areas your child may be interested in is the "Tween" or "Teen" category.
These prompts are organized into three categories: picture prompts, student opinion questions, and current event conversations. Allow your child to select one of the categories or topics that interest them. Here is the process your child can go through when responding to a writing prompt:
Determine what type of writing the prompt is asking you to do.
Is this an informational type of response?
Is this an argument type of response?
Deconstruct the prompt. After reading the prompt, deconstruct the prompt by asking yourself, "What do I need to know in order to answer this question?" Develop research questions that will help you to answer the prompt.
Set up a notes chart using your research questions. One way to set up a notes chart is to set up like Cornell Notes are set up. Put your research questions on the left and leave the right as the place where you find answers to your research questions through research.
Research Time! Each of the New York Times writing prompts comes with an article to read to begin your research. As your child reads, they should be searching for answers to their research questions they developed and writing down the answers they find on their notes chart. If after reading the one article you find that you need more information, encourage your child to find more credible resources to complete the research.
Plan your response. Begin by determining your thesis statement. This is your statement that answers the prompt. Once your thesis statement is developed, plan how you will support your thesis using evidence from your research.
Learn more about how to write thesis statements.
Learn how to write argument essays.
Write your response in an essay format!
Extend the Learning: Now that your child is fully informed and well versed on the topic, provide your child another way to show what they have learned or to make their argument heard. Ideas:
Make a public service announcement in the form of a video
Design an infographic
Design an informative flyer
Create a social media campaign explaining the topic of side of an argument
Write a letter to someone who can make an impact
Reflect. What did you do to respond to the prompt? How did you do it? Why did you do it? Having your child reflect about the process they went through helps your child solidify the learning process that works best for them. Remember, we are teaching our children how to learn, not just what to learn.
This website created by the San Diego County Office of Education explains why natural phenomena can launch learning into science. According to SDCOE "Scientific phenomena are occurrences in the natural and human-made world that can be observed and cause one to wonder and ask questions." This webpage gives you access to a database of phenomena that allows you to search by grade level. This is a great place to start your science discovery. After observing the phenomena, develop a list of questions you have and begin your science research to better understand the phenomena.
Have your child begin writing a journal or create a vlog (video blog) telling about their experience of how the worldwide coronavirus pandemic is impacting their lives. One day their journal or vlog could be used as a primary source by historians. Read the linked blog to learn how to begin this with your child.
Parents, you can create a free online account and get access to many history resources. A great series of lessons on this webpage are called "Read Like a Historian." These are already designed lessons that you can guide your child through.