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How can you help improve your child's literacy at home?

PreK to 2nd Grade

• Read Aloud Daily: Make reading a part of your daily routine. Choose books that are appropriate for your child's age and interests, and take the time to read together. Discuss the pictures, ask questions, and let your child predict what might happen next.

• Create a Reading Nook: Set up a cozy reading space filled with books, cushions, and good lighting. A dedicated area can make reading feel like a special and enjoyable activity.

• Use Interactive Books: Pop-up books, lift-the-flap books, and sound books can make reading more engaging for young children. These interactive elements can capture their interest and make reading fun.

• Play Word Games: Engage your child in word games like "I Spy" with letters or sounds, rhyming games, and simple crossword puzzles. These games can help build their vocabulary and phonemic awareness. 

• Encourage Writing: Provide your child with paper, crayons, and markers to encourage them to write. They can start with drawing pictures and gradually move on to writing letters and words. Celebrating their efforts, no matter how small, will boost their confidence.

3rd to 5th Grade

• Read Together: Continue to read with your child, but also encourage independent reading. Take turns reading chapters aloud, and discuss the story together. This helps improve comprehension and keeps them interested.

• Explore Different Genres: Introduce your child to various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and graphic novels. This exposure will help them find what they enjoy most and expand their reading horizons.

• Connect Reading to Real Life: Relate the stories you read to real-life experiences. For example, if you're reading a book about animals, plan a trip to the zoo or watch a nature documentary together.

• Start a Family Book Club: Choose a book that the whole family can read and discuss together. This can create a sense of community and make reading a shared activity.

• Encourage Creative Writing: Provide prompts or story starters to inspire your child to write their own stories. They can also keep a journal to practice writing regularly. 

Middle School (6th to 8th Grade)

• Foster Independent Reading: Encourage your child to choose their own books and read independently. Help them find books that match their interests.

• Discuss Books: Have conversations about the books your child is reading. Ask open-ended questions to encourage critical thinking and deeper comprehension.

• Use Technology: Utilize e-books, audiobooks, podcasts, and educational apps to make reading more accessible and enjoyable. These resources can also be helpful for children with different learning styles.

• Connect Reading to Other Subjects: Show how reading is relevant to other subjects, like science and history. Encourage your child to read articles, watch documentaries, and conduct research on topics that interest them. This will help them create a network of knowledge.

• Promote Writing: Encourage your child to write essays, short stories, and even poems. Offer constructive feedback and celebrate their achievements. Writing is an essential part of literacy development.

• Literacy Games: Play word games like Scrabble, Boggle, or online literacy games that can make learning fun and interactive.

• Audiobooks and Podcasts: Introduce your teen to audiobooks and educational podcasts. These can be a great way to engage with stories and information. 

• Library Visits: Regular trips to the library can expose your teen to a wide range of books and resources. Let them explore and choose books that interest them.

Math Literacy

Math literacy is more than just adding and subtracting - it’s the ability to think critically, solve problems using numbers, and understand how math works in real-life situations.

How can you help improve your child's math literacy at home?

PreK to 2nd Grade

•  Build Number Sense Daily - Count everything: snacks, toys, steps, buttons. Use number words often: “You have three apples,” “Let’s find the biggest pile.” Compare and sort: by size, color, or shape—great for critical thinking 

• Use Real-Life Math - Cooking: Measure ingredients, count scoops, talk about halves/wholes. Grocery shopping: Compare prices, count items, estimate totals. Cleaning up: Sort and categorize toys (by type, color, size).

• Play Math Games - Board games like Chutes & Ladders, Uno, Dominoes, or Hi Ho! Cherry-O. Dice games and card games build counting, addition, and number recognition. Use apps or online games (like ABCmouse or Starfall) for interactive practice.

• Practice Shapes and Patterns - Go on a shape hunt at home or outside. Make and extend patterns using blocks, beads, or snacks (e.g., cracker–cheese–grape). Draw or build with pattern blocks or tangrams.

• Talk Through Math - Ask math-related “why” or “how” questions: “How do you know that’s more?” “What comes next in the pattern?” Encourage your child to explain their thinking, even if it’s wrong—they’re practicing reasoning!

• Practice Time and Money - Use an analog clock to talk about the time: “It’s 3 o’clock—time for a snack!” Use coins for counting and sorting: “Can you find two dimes and a nickel?” Talk about days of the week and routines: “Today is Tuesday. What comes next?”

• Read Math Stories - Choose books with math themes, such as: Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews, The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins, Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh, How Many Feet in the Bed? by Diane Johnston Hamm

• Use Positive Math Talk - Avoid saying “I’m bad at math.” Encourage effort: “You worked hard to solve that!” Praise strategies, not just correct answers.

3rd to 5th Grade

• Talk About Math in Daily Life - Include math in conversations: Estimate the total at the grocery store, calculate time needed to get somewhere, or measure ingredients while cooking. Ask questions like: “How much change should we get back?” or “What’s the better deal?”

• Play Math Games - Use card games, board games (like Yahtzee, Monopoly, or Prime Climb), or apps that involve logic, strategy, and numbers. Try online math games such as Prodigy, Math Playground, or CoolMath4Kids.

• Practice Word Problems - Encourage solving real-world scenarios using math: “If we need 3 pizzas for 6 people, how many slices does each get?” Talk through problem-solving steps: understanding the problem, choosing a strategy, and checking the answer.

• Build Logical Thinking - Encourage puzzles like Sudoku, logic riddles, or tangrams. Play strategy games that develop reasoning (like chess or logic mazes).

• Measure and Estimate Together - Estimate and measure height, weight, or distances. (“How tall is the table? Let’s measure with a tape!”) Let them help with projects involving rulers, thermometers, or kitchen scales.

• Use Math Vocabulary - Reinforce correct terms: factors, multiples, product, quotient, perimeter, area, etc. Have your child explain what they’re learning using math words—it deepens understanding.

• Support Homework and Review - Encourage effort and talk through math challenges instead of just correcting. Ask: “How did you solve that?” “Can you explain why you chose that method?”

• Connect Math to Careers - Point out how professionals use math: chefs (fractions), architects (geometry), athletes (statistics), and more. Watch documentaries or YouTube videos that show math in real-life jobs.

• Practice Math Facts Strategically - Use flashcards, apps, or games to build fluency with multiplication, division, and fractions. Break practice into short, consistent sessions (5–10 minutes daily).

• Encourage a Growth Mindset - Praise effort, thinking, and strategies instead of “being good at math.” Let your child make mistakes—that’s part of learning!

Middle School (6th to 8th Grade)

• Promote a Growth Mindset - Encourage your child to see mistakes as learning opportunities. Praise effort, persistence, and problem-solving rather than just correct answers.

• Connect Math to Real Life - Involve your child in budgeting, meal planning, or calculating discounts when shopping. Discuss how math is used in various careers or hobbies (e.g., engineering, architecture, video game design, baking).

• Use Online Tools and Resources - Explore free platforms like Khan Academy, Prodigy, or IXL for practice and tutorials. Use graphing calculators or math apps to visualize concepts.

• Challenge Their Thinking - Work on puzzles and brain teasers that involve logic, geometry, or algebra. Encourage them to explain their reasoning aloud to strengthen their understanding.

• Establish a Routine - Set a regular homework and study schedule that includes time for review and math practice. Break down assignments into manageable steps to avoid overwhelm.

• Focus on Math Vocabulary - Help your child master key terms like slope, equation, integer, inequality, function, etc. Use flashcards or have them write definitions in their own words.

• Practice Mental Math and Estimation - Encourage quick thinking with games that involve estimating totals or solving simple equations mentally.

• Communicate With Teachers - Stay in touch with your child’s math teacher about their progress and areas for support. Ask for recommendations on specific skills to reinforce at home.

• Play Math-Based Games - Try strategy board games like Risk, Monopoly, or math card games to make learning fun and interactive.

• Encourage Math Journaling - Have your child reflect on how they solved problems, what strategies worked, and where they got stuck.

MAP Testing