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Back to School is an important time to set habits that last throughout the school year. Journal writing is essentially a question of just developing a habit. Once the routine is established, keeping to it is easy, and its rewards are so valuable that it can become like distance running—those who do it can’t do without it. If you can get your youngster started, he’ll thank you for the rest of his life.

The trick (and huge reward, of course) is to fill the diary, to have it to look back on—and, as kids soon discover, to be able to draw upon its content for school assignments all year long.

Around ages seven, eight, nine, children usually love the idea of keeping a diary. And, changes to everyday life – like the start of a new school year – present lots of new things and ideas to write about!  So, let’s talk about how to help your child get started.

Materials:

• Blank book (preferably one with lines) or word processing program
• Pocket-sized notepad

Getting Ready
Observe for a week or so how your child uses his time. When might be a convenient time for him to do his journal writing? If he can use your computer, consider whether he might prefer to keep his journal electronically instead of in a book. If your child will write in his own book, browse in a book or stationery store to select a blank book or diary that will be visually appealing to him. Whether he writes on the computer or in his own personal book, get him a pocket-sized notebook to use for quick jotting when he’s away from the computer or his writing time, so that he can refer to it later when he writes his journal entry.

Think about whatever exposure to diaries and personal journals you may have had.

• Have you ever kept a journal?
• Have you read any journals or excerpts from journals?
• Would anyone care if Julius Caesar had not kept a journal? Or Richard Nixon? Or Anne Frank?
• What are some of the reasons people write in journals?

Consider keeping a journal yourself and buy yourself a blank book you like—or plan to do it on your computer.

• Introduce the idea of keeping a journal to your child. Talk with him about what a journal is, why people write in them, and what kinds of things a person can write about in a journal. Encourage him to realize that not only can anyone be a journal writer, but that his own private journal is a place where he can write about anything and everything he wants to!
• Take the next ten minutes or so for him to write an entry. (If you write in your journal at the same time, you will help him by example and companionship.) If he’s stuck for an idea, suggest that he write about his thoughts and feelings about keeping a journal or about what you have been talking about, or simple about “what happened today.” Tell him that he should never worry about what he is writing, but should just write and keep writing for ten minutes.

• After ten minutes, interrupt the writing to talk a little about it. How does it feel? Has writing given him any new ideas? Would he like to draw an illustration in his journal?

  Brainstorm together a long list of all the possible things he could write about at some time in his journal. As you brainstorm, have him write the list on the inside back or front cover of his journal.

  Brainstorm also all the different kinds of entries he could make—lists (10 best…, top 10 reasons for…), jokes, poems, narrative accounts of true events, stories he makes up, letters to himself or others, drawings, copying in something he’s read or heard that he likes or objects to, pros and cons of doing something or making some choice, etc.

• Point out that what makes journal keeping work best is picking a regular time to do it and sticking to it. Decide together how often he wants to write and what time he’ll schedule for it. Plan a brief time—ten minutes every day won’t seem like much to a kid. He may stretch his ten minutes when he really gets into something he wants to write about. And when he is not inspired, giving his journal just its allotted ten minutes won’t kill him (or you).

• Support his every effort with all your heart—even when you don’t like what he is writing. Encourage any indication you observe that he has written something he’d like to read to you or show you. But never pry. Stress that the journal is his own private writing place, which he need not show to others. Praise him for sticking with the journal when you are talking to friends and family. In short, keep him aware that you value what he is doing.

  And if you can, try journal writing yourself. Then share some of what you write with him. Schedule some of your writing to coincide with his so that you can both be sitting there scribbling together—fellow diarists!

Activity from Kaplan’s Making the Grade: Grades 3-4, Creating a Successful Learning Environment at Home.

Getting Ready
Select a couple of books you know your child is likely to enjoy. Get advice from a teacher or children’s library or ask your child what book she’s heard about that she’d like to read. You might consider a book from which a popular movie has been made such as Little Women or Aladdin or The Incredible Journey.

If you haven’t read aloud to your child for a long time and feel a bit rusty about getting started again, try reading a little of the story aloud on your own, just to see how easy it really is.

Think about the best time of day to set aside 15 minutes or so for reading together on some kind of regular basis.

Activity: Reading Aloud

1. Either at the special time you think might become a regular reading time or at some other convenient time to begin this activity, talk with your child about memories you have of hearing stories read aloud. Tell her about cultures in which listening to stories is not only treasured as great entertainment but even the way in which people pass on the tales of their own history. But perhaps best of all, it is a nice way to spend a bit of quiet, relaxed time enjoying something together.
2. Have your child pick one of the two read-aloud books that you got for this activity. Read the first chapter or section of the book aloud to her. Encourage her to close her eyes and just relax as she listens.
3. When you finish reading, encourage your child to talk about her thoughts and feelings about what was read. This not only helps your child connect to what she’s reading, but also builds reading comprehension skills used during the school year.
• What does she think might happen next? Why?
• Which characters does she like (or dislike) and why?
• What questions does she have about what she heard?
• How is what is in the reading like (or unlike) real life or other things she’s read or seen on television?
4. Set up the time for your next read-aloud session. Depending on the level of reading difficulty, plan for your child to take turns with you reading, if she’d like.
5. When you finish reading the first book or story, have your child select the next herself and read it to you (or take turns with you). When that selection is finished, decide together on the next selection and continue in this way taking turns reading aloud on a regular basis.

Activity from Kaplan’s Making the Grade: Grades 3-4, Creating a Successful Learning Environment at Home.

Check out these favorite kids’ books recommended at the #KaplanKids Twitter Party! Don’t forget to comment to add your recommendations to the list.

Book List

1. Anne of Green Gables (@GoudaCheese007)
2. Babysitters Club (@Forever_Charmed)
3. Berenstain Bears (@mnsixofus)
4. Bone series (@zebastyandylan)
5. Bot Tot Buddies (@luckytoddler)
6. Caillou books (@tcgirl11)
7. Captain Underpants (@Gingermommy)
8. Charlie and Lola books (@zebastyandylan)
9. Corduroy (@Vidia2be)
10. Curious George books (@JoeyfromSC)
11. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (@Hybrid79)
12. Doll People (@cookiesANDclogs)
13. Dr. Seuss books (@LA_JEWELES)
14. Geronimo Stilton series (@retisima)
15. Goosebumps (@Forever_Charmed)
16. Harry Potter (@lolamichele)
17. Horror High (@lolamichele)
18. Hungry Hungry Sharks (@stockpilingmoms)
19. If You Give a Moose a Muffin (@tcgirl11)
20. Itsy Bitsy books (@JoeyfromSC)
21. Junie B. Jones series (@honeyrose80)
22. Knuffle Bunny (@zebastyandylan)
23. Llama Llama Red Pajama (@lolamichele)
24. Molly Moon series (@ostmega)
25. Monster High (@Vidia2be)
26. Nancy Drew Mysteries (@homemom3)
27. Narnia books (@Mystic_Sorrow)
28. OLIVIA books (@CarrieWChildren)
29. Phantom Tollbooth (@KaplanTutoring)
30. Pinkalicious (@Forever_Charmed)
31. Pigeon Presents! (@zebastyandylan)
32. Sesame Street anything (@nikkialeta)
33. There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly (@clallen1971)
34. Thomas the Tank Engine books (@GaBabyMaker)
35. Time Gate series (@homemom3)
36. Twilight series (@Gingermommy)
37. The Velveteen Rabbit (@dwaynesgirl78)
38. Warrior series (@zebastyandylan)
39. Wonderful You (@lexiquin)

What are your kids’ favorite books?

Getting Ready

Decide whether you are going to make number cards (index cards work well) or use a modified deck of playing cards for this game. You will use four of these number cards to build each of your numbers. Then make your two sets of place value labels using 3” X 5” index cards or something just about that size. Write one of the place value words—ones, tens, hundreds, or thousands—horizontally on each of the four cards. You will use these place value cards to label the digits as you build numbers.

With your child, select a flat playing area—the kitchen table is fine—and let the fun begin!

Activity: Build the Bigger Number

1. Explain that the game works like this: You take turns drawing number cards until you each have four number cards, which you arrange into a four-digit number. Each time you draw a card, you must decide whether to put it in the ones, tens, hundreds, or thousands place. The object of the activity is to build a bigger four-digit number than your opponent builds.




2. Sit side-by-side to play. Before you begin, start by laying out your place value labels in the correct order in front of you. Have your child do the same, talking through what she is doing (“The ones go here, and then the tens . . .”); observe carefully to make sure she has the place values in the right order. Sitting next to your child rather than across from her during play means she can see your numbers as well as her own right-side-up.
   
   
   
   

   Shuffle the number cards and place the deck number-side down on the playing surface where both of you can reach it. To demonstrate game play, go first and take the top card, turn it over, and put the card below any of your place value labels. For example, you draw a 6 and place it in the tens column. Keep in mind that you want to build the biggest number you can with your four cards; but once you place a card, you cannot move it.

3. Now it’s your child’s turn to draw a card and place it below one of her place value labels. Complete the round by taking turns drawing three more cards each and putting each under one of the remaining place value labels. Only one number can go under each label.
   
   
   
   

   At the end of the round, each of you should read your four-digit number out loud and compare the two numbers that you’ve made. Determine which number is bigger. That person gets one point for the round. The person with the smallest number gets a penalty point for the round. Remember that the person with the fewest points at the end of five rounds wins. Clear the number cards, shuffle the deck, and play again.

4. After a couple rounds, start to discuss your game strategy with your child by asking questions like:
   • What have you decided to do with the low numbered cards? Why?
   • Where would you put the high numbered cards? Why?
   • If I have a five in the thousands place, what number would I need to build a smaller number?

   Play as many rounds as you want. When you finish, put the cards somewhere handy so you can easily play some more at any time.

What activities do you use to give the kids math practice in a new and fun way?

Activity from Kaplan’s Making the Grade: Grades 3-4, Creating a Successful Learning Environment at Home.

Materials

• Plentiful source of books—check out the school or local library
• Several copies of your book report form that you write together

Getting Ready

Talk with your child about books that he likes and books he doesn’t like. Think about ways to describe books that would help other kids know what was a good read. Think up a set of questions about books and write them down.

Make a book report form. If your child likes to write, set up questions that he can write answers to. If writing will get in the way of his doing more reading, make up a form like a report card for the book. You and your child can assign letter or number grades for quality of story, interest of characters, illustrations, or whatever else the two of you agree should be noted about a book. You could even set up scales of 1-10 for different aspects of the book. Leave space at the bottom for at least one sentence of general comment. The report can then be photocopied, printed from a computer, or individually created. Make at least five copies to begin with.

Activity: A Report Card for Books

1. Pick one book each week that the two of you can read together. These books can be exclusively your child’s choice or include some you choose that you think he’ll enjoy. (You could also alternate weeks of choosing the book or work out whatever arrangement seems best for the two of you. Making decisions about what to read is a part of the process.)
   
   
   
   

   Take turns reading the selected book to each other. How much each of you reads can depend on your energy as well as that of your child. Depending upon the demands of the book and your child’s reading skills and comfort level, adjust how much each of you reads. The important element is the sharing back and forth of both reading and listening.

2. Schedule a regular time (at a meal?) each week to review what you’ve been reading. Work with your child to fill in the regular report form that you prepared together. Adjust the level of work to your child’s ability and energy. If writing is an obstacle for your child, try having him dictate some of the report. The goal is to develop a pleasurable sharing around reading and thinking about literature.
   
   
   
   

   After making sure there is a mention of the author and title, be flexible about how your report form is used. Change what is on your report cards to make them work for you, your child, and the books you choose. The goal is to have the evaluation belong to your child, but you could decide together to have you add your thoughts, too, perhaps in a different color.

3. About once a month or every six weeks, look back over your reports together. Talk about what each of you learned about in the books, about your likes and dislikes, and anything that might be added or changed on each book report. Use this time to compile a summary booklet that contains the reports, along with drawings of favorite scenes or characters from the books.

Activity from Kaplan’s Making the Grade: Grades 3-4, Creating a Successful Learning Environment at Home.

Activity from Kaplan’s Making the Grade: Grades 3-4, Creating a Successful Learning Environment at Home.

Smart Track is the perfect way to start the summer strong. It’s a fun, interactive way for your child to continue to build critical math and reading skills all summer long.

With the Kaplan Kids Smart Track program, your child will benefit from:

• Online reading and math programs customized to your child’s individual skill level and learning style
• Rewards for using the program that are redeemable for merchandise, gift certificates or virtual prizes
• Real time progress reports that allow you to keep track of, and encourage, your child’s continued progress along the way

All this for just $4 for your first 5 weeks! So what are you waiting for? This offer is only good when you enroll today and enter promo code 4JULY4 on the Payment Information page.

*Offer valid for new customers only for first 5 weeks of program. After 5 weeks, enrollment is $29 per month. Must enroll between Friday, July 1, 2011 and Monday, July 4, 2011.

Smart Track is the perfect way to start the summer strong. It’s a fun, interactive way for your child to continue to build critical math and reading skills all summer long.

With the Kaplan Kids Smart Track program, your child will benefit from:

• Online reading and math programs customized to your child’s individual skill level and learning style
• Rewards for using the program that are redeemable for merchandise, gift certificates or virtual prizes
• Real time progress reports that allow you to keep track of, and encourage, your child’s continued progress along the way

All this for just $4 for your first 5 weeks! So what are you waiting for? This offer is only good when you enroll today and enter promo code 4JULY4 on the Payment Information page.

*Offer valid for new customers only for first 5 weeks of program. After 5 weeks, enrollment is $29 per month. Must enroll between Friday, July 1, 2011 and Monday, July 4, 2011.

Materials

• Two paper plates, two paper cups with handles
• Long stick
• Ruler and magic marker
• Upholstery tack or small nail
• Stapler and glue
• Watch or clock with second hand
• Science notebook for recording results

Getting Ready
On windy days, talk with your child about what can be seen (or heard, or felt) that gives some indication of how strong the wind is blowing. Look in the weather section of the newspaper for reports on wind velocity. Do this activity during or after a stormy period when your child’s interest in the wind’s power is likely to be high.

Help your child assemble the materials he’ll need for making his wind measuring machine. Then assist him as needed in the following steps.

Activity: How the Wind Blows

1. Glue two or more paper plates together so that they make a rigid disk. Use the ruler to find the exact center of the disk and poke a small hole through it. Use the ruler to draw lines dividing the disk into four equal sections, each line passing through the center point.




2. Use the magic marker to color one of the cups so that it looks very different from the other three. Staple the handles of each cup on to the disk at one of the four places where your pencil lines meet the edge of the disk. Make sure that all four cups face the same direction around the edge.




3. Stick the tack through the hole and attach the disk to the edge of one end of the dowel. Spin the disk to make sure that the tack is secure but not so tight that the disk does not spin easily. Plant the stick in the ground, or in some other way securely place it upright where the wind can blow it. Turn it as needed until it catches the wind and the cups begin turning the disk.




4. Watch the cups turn. Using a clock’s second hand, you and your child can take turns counting revolutions per minute, by counting each time the market cup passes the dowel at the bottom of the turn.
   
   
   
   Pick a special time of day, such as before supper, to count and record the wind speed. Record the time and the speed. When the wind blows (at any time of the day) is also a good time to go out and clock it. Encourage your child to always write down the date and the time as well as the wind speed.

People talk about averages a lot in a casual way, but the term has a precise meaning in math, where it’s also called the “mean” or “arithmetic mean.” To calculate the average of a set of quantities, you add them up and then divide that total by the number of quantities or items in the set.

Materials

• Notebook and pencil
• Pocket calculator
• Sports section of a newspaper

Getting Ready
Think of some areas of interest for your child (baseball? basketball? a favorite team?) and then make a list of some ideas for what kinds of averages might be calculated related to them.

Activity: On the Average…

1. Review with your child how to find an average by adding up all the items in the set of quantities to be averaged and then dividing that total by the number of items. A good way to do this review is to figure out together the average amount of sleep you or your child got over the past five days. For example, if you slept 6 hours on Wednesday night, 7 hours on Thursday, 6 on Friday, and 8 on both Saturday and Sunday, what was the average amount of sleep you got on those five days? (The total hours, or 35, divided by the number of days = 7 hours.)




2. If your kid likes sports, that’s a great starting place for figuring averages. Use statistics from the sports pages, or draw on his own knowledge and memory, even from the teams he’s played on. “Who’s your basketball team’s best player? How would you find out that player’s average scoring so far this year?” Work through the average process with your kid: Add up all the baskets scored by that player, then divide by the number of games played. “Which are the best soccer teams in your league? What was their average score per game?” “That school seems to have big players on its football team! What do you suppose is the average weight of their players?”

Your role in this activity is finding frequent opportunities for your child to practice finding averages, whether calculating them in her head or using a calculator. At the same time, she can come to realize that figuring averages can be useful, providing interesting information and even some fun!