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- My child did not do well on their first chapter test in Social Studies. What is the problem and how can I help them?
My child did not do well on their first chapter test in Social Studies. What is the problem and how can I help them?
Parents should keep in mind that third grade is a significant
change from first and second grade. We move heavily into reading
and comprehending expository text. This is a challenge for
children who are still decoding multi-syllable words or dealing
with technical and scientific terms. Our textbooks for Social
Studies and Science are very challenging, particularly for
children whose primary language is not English. We preview and
review vocabulary words prior to each lesson. Many students will
benefit from a second reading and repeat readings at home.
Reading difficult text aloud to someone can help. Stopping their
reading after a difficult paragraph and asking them to "sum up"
the "main idea" of the paragraph can help them connect to what
they are reading. The Social Studies Student Practice book and
the Science Interactive Text also help to re-enforce what is
being taught. At the end of each lesson in the textbook, parents
can find review questions to prompt and focus their child's
understanding of the lesson. Students may always take their Soc.
Studies or Science book home for reading log activities, so long
as they return with it the next day. Practicing expository
reading is extremely important at this stage in their learning.
