Helpful Tips For Parents
10 Tips for Choosing Books for Children
- Have children choose their own books as soon as they start showing a preference for one over another.
Find the children's section of your local library. Get to know the librarian, who can be a great resource.
- Find out what your child is interested in, and help choose books that are related to his or her interests.
- Ask friends, family, and teachers what books their children have enjoyed; try a book swap.
If your child does not like a book you are reading together, put it away. Reading is a fun time to share, not a time to fight.
Again, Again, Again! Children may want to read the same book many times, even if you think they have outgrown it.
Use book lists generated by various literacy organizations; they usually have good suggestions. For example: American Library Association, International Reading Association, Children's Book Guild
Look for books that you will like reading aloud. Your enjoyment will shine through and become contagious.
Try out different kinds of books to see what appeals to your children.
Have fun! Show your children the joy of reading and how it can open up a brand new world!
Internet Safety Tips from ikeepsafe.org
- Keep the computer in a common room in the house and position the monitor so it's available for public viewing.
- Establish rules for using the Internet and teach children important safety guidelines.
- Use blocking software or filtering programs, but don't rely on them as your only line of defense.
- Teach children that people online are not always who they say they are.
- Frequently check the Internet history to see which sites your children are visiting.
- Monitor your children's email account. Let them know you're doing it and why.
- Spend time with your children online. Have them show you their favorite sites.
Bee a Good Speller
The Sonoma County Elementary Regional Spelling Competitions will be held February 2008. That gives our 4th and 5th grade students plenty of time to brush off their old dictionaries. Students first participate in school competitions, then advance to the regionals. Two students from every school are eligible to compete in the regionals. The top five spellers from each regional spelling bee advance to the county spelling competition. We are looking for some help in coordinating this event with our 4th and 5th graders. This includes pre-registering, distributing resources to the classes and planning for the school-wide competition. If you can help out, see the principal today!