In this issue:• Set Your Mid-Semester Goals• A Message from Dr. Rick• The New BookAdventure.com

He l p i n g s t u d e n t s d e ve l o p t h e s k i l l s, h a b i t s a n d a t t i t u d e s fo r l i fe l o n g s u c c e s s

OCTOBER 2011

October is National Book Month! This is the perfect time to honor books and what could be better than reading together as a family. A loving routine at the end of the day that allows parents and kids to make bedtime a special time, to share favorite stories and books, to talk, and be together is a wonderful opportunity to spend some quality time with your children.

Parents, here are a few tips to help you get started.

Start small. Remember, big journeys start with one step.

Take turns reading. One night you read, the next your child reads. Or switch reading every couple of paragraphs or pages.

Read with expression. Let the stories come to life. Encourage kids to read with lively expression. Let them see the excitement books contain.

Choose compelling books. Let your child select some books and perhaps choose some yourself. Recommend some of your favorites from when you were a child.

Celebrate. When you’re done with a book, write its title and author on a link in a construction paper chain and festoon the walls with your accomplishments. Draw pictures of your favorite characters.

Make an audio book. Tape yourselves reading. Send the recording to Grandma, who will swoon. Recording can also be your “substitute” if you have to be away for a night – although nothing is as good as your presence.

Get ideas from other parents. What are they reading in their homes? What books and stories are other kids interested in? What recommendations can you give to and get from other parents?

Get ideas from teachers. What types of books are popular at school? What books would supplement what teachers are teaching in social studies, art, or science classes? What do the reading teacher and librarian suggest?

The nice thing about routines is that once they’re started they become a part of your life, comforting and safe.

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CelebrateNational Book Month!

A Message From Dr. Rick

Read the rest at DrRickBlog.com

By mid-October, the school semester is half-way completed. Remember those goals you set with your child back in August when school was just starting? How are they coming along?

Now is the perfect time for a check-up. It’s always a good idea to check progress on something so important. This shows your child that you’re really, really interested in her progress, and you’re expecting her to be pretty motivated, too.

Here are some questions to consider at this important time.

Did you determine goals together? Goals are much more meaningful to your child if you and she have determined them together. This is an important step in setting goals – shows you’re both invested.

Are you monitoring regularly? Regular, systematic checking is best. Then, to make sure everyone’s got the message of your seriousness, random checks thrown in occasionally can’t hurt.

Have the goals changed? Sometimes they do. Maybe your child has reached a couple already. Maybe he’s ready for another challenge. In any event, when goals change, work together again to sharpen, update, and set timelines for new ones.

Do routines need to be re-set? Routines are vital for studying and learning. You’ve set up homework and other routines for bedtime, meals, play, and family time. If you’re not seeing the progress you each expect, it may help to re-assess those routines.

What about rewards and consequences? You’ve determined together the reasonable rewards for reaching goals and the consequences for falling behind. Are they working? You may need to tweak them to provide just the right incentive.

Is she organized for success? Organization is not a particularly exciting topic for kids, but it’s necessary for keeping on track.

Does he have a study buddy? Having someone to study with is a great way to keep him focused on his goals. Study buddies can help each other understand assignment requirements. They can compete with each other, support each other, and learn from each other.

Have you met with teachers and school guidance counselor? It’s always a good idea to share your goals with the folks at school. This lets them know you’re involved and working with them for your child’s success.

Why You Need to Study Algebra

It’s the cry algebra teachers hear most often: “I shouldn’t have to learn algebra! I’ll never use it!”

It’s the most frequent complaint. Too bad it’s not true. Of course kids will use algebra’s skills. They’ll solve all sorts of problems. They’ll persevere. They’ll prepare for interesting jobs. Maybe they’ll even improve the lives of others.

Here are a few reasons why today’s students need to study algebra.

They’ll learn to reason. Algebra is all about reasoning – thinking analytically and logically. Think computer spreadsheets.

Their future careers depend on algebra’s skills. These are the careers of the future. Computer sciences, engineering, all the sciences, electronics, and medicine, of course. But there are other cool jobs that need algebra’s skills. Creating aquariums, designing backpacks and skateboards, and engineering faster bikes, for example.

Their brains improve with exercise. Kids’ brains will make more “connections” and neural pathways with algebra’s abstract thinking. Deeper, more complex thinking builds brain power.

What is Book Adventure?• A fun and free Web-based

reading motivation program designed to encourage a love of reading

• Supplemental reading activity

• Comprehensive literacy and reading resources

• Accessed anywhere: home, school, library

• Children create their own book lists from more than 8,000 recommended titles,

• Kids then take multiple choice quizzes on the books they’ve read and earn points and prizes for their literary successes

• Book Adventure was created by and is maintained by Sylvan Learning

How Does Book Adventure Work?• Go to

www.BookAdventure.com• Explore the resources

before registering• Kids register and create a

Book Adventure account - allows them to use Book Finder. Students go off-line, read the book on their own, then return to take a quiz

• Redeemable points are awarded

• Parents and Teachers monitor the child’s progress

Have you seen the NEW BookAdventure.com?

With schools back in session, the Book Adventure website has a new look and enhanced functionality to encourage the love of reading! As always, Book Adventure is free for all.Here are just a few highlights about what’s new:

o Parents, Teachers and Students can view sample reports

o Registered users can create their own booklists from over 8,000 titles on Book Adventure

o All questions for a quiz are viewable for a registered Parent/Teacher

o There is a new “Super Teacher” feature that allows librarians, media specialists or other administration type user to see information on more than one Teachers’ students/classes/ accounts

o And there is Shelly Story – the newest addition to the Book Adventure team. She is a true book worm and can’t wait to help kids learn to love reading as much as she does!

There’s more! Book Adventure is teaming up with the family adventure movie Dolphin Tale to launch a new reading contest with prizes for both individual students and classrooms. Opening on September 23, 2011, the movie Dolphin Tale is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The contest will run through October 14. Children aged 8-14 can join the individual contest for a chance to win prizes, including movie tickets! Teachers and their classes can participate by joining the classroom contest. Visit bookadventure.com for additional details and contest rules.Go to www.bookadventure.com today to select a book, take a quiz, earn points, and create a thrilling book adventure of your own!

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October

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• Builds skills in math, reading, writing & more

• Develops independent work habits• Improves attitudes• Motivates learning• Provides feedback to parents and

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OCTOBER 2011

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