Category: Parent Guide

Parent Guide: Nice Kids Finish First

This week in class, we’re reading “Nice Kids Finish First: Study Finds Social Skills Can Predict Future Success” by Audie Cornish.

This interview from NPR’s All Things Considered, hosted by Audie Cornish, discusses a recent study’s findings that children who demonstrate more ‘pro-social’ skills – those who share more and who are better listeners – are more likely to have jobs and stay out of trouble as young adults.

As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Education & Knowledge and Resilience & Success as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

“What is the goal of education?” and “Why do people succeed?”

Ways to support your child:

Parent Guide: Readtheory KP Goal (100)

Students will be assigned a Readtheory goal in Google Classroom that depends on their accumulated “Knowledge Point” score or KP.

You can help support your child’s learning by asking them to show you their “Readtheory Dashboard” and recording their “Knowledge Point” total at the beginning of the week.  Periodically check that that number is increasing during the week.

I have asked that they accumulate 100 KP this week. I hope this is attainable in the 3 hours work limit per week per course per child.

If the 100 points goal is too hard (or too easy) to achieve in one week, let me know – have the student leave a comment in the assignment stream in Google Classroom. I will make adjustments where necessary.

How can students earn knowledge points?

Students can earn knowledge points in the following ways:
• Answer a regular question correctly: 1KP
• Answer a challenge question correctly: 2KP (+1KP for regular question)
• Pass a quiz: 15KP awarded
• Get a perfect score on a quiz: 30KP awarded

Parent Guide: Move to the Beat

This week in class, we’re reading “Move to the Beat ” by Colin Hickey.

In the informational text “Move to the Beat,” Colin Hickey discusses a West African musician who teaches kids about music by playing for them.

As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Community, Education & Knowledge, and Identity as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

“What is the goal of education?”, “What makes you who you are?”, and “How are communities formed?”

Ways to support your child:

Parent Guide: College students with disabilities are too often excluded

This week in class, we’re reading “College students with disabilities are too often excluded” by Christa Bialka.

In the informational text, “College students with disabilities are too often excluded,” Christa Bialka discusses how students with disabilities are not included in many on-campus activities.

As your child reads, they will be considering the themes of Community and Prejudice & Discrimination as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

“What is the importance of community?” and “What are the effects of prejudice?”

Ways to support your child:

 

Parent Guide: Life Skills

This week in class, we’re reading “Life Skills” by Set to Go.

The informational text “Life Skills” explains the skills necessary for independence, health, and emotional well-being.

As your child reads, they will be considering the theme of Growing Up as it relates to the text.

They are trying to answer this big question :

“What does it mean to be grown up?”

Ways to support your child: