We will be using a computer based reading website called Raz-Kids for
homework assignments this year.
RazKids: http://www.raz-kids.com/main/Login
Each student will receive a log in and
password to access books that they can read or listen to on their reading
level. Their teacher will assign a reading level for them to start with and
monitor their progress throughout the year. The site provides differentiated
reading with hundreds of leveled books. The students can listen to a book on
their level to model fluency or read books with the help of pronunciation and
vocabulary support. They will also be able to test their comprehension of the
story by completing a multiple choice quiz. After reading, listening, or
taking a quiz they can earn stars which they can spend in the Raz
Rocket store to buy items to outfit their own rocket and planet! The more
they read the more stars they have to spend!
This web site allows the teachers to monitor each student and provide
individualized reading assignments and feed back when needed. It is also
possible for the teachers to assess students� beginning or current reading
level and pinpoint areas that need to be targeted for further instruction in
class.
We are asking each student to read for 10 minutes four times a week. The days
for homework are flexible and should fit into your schedule. Teachers will
be communicating throughout the year on your student�s at home reading
progress. We appreciate your support and assistance in helping your first
grader begin to develop a love for reading and responsibility for completing
homework assignments.
Remember: Reading daily is an essential part of developing good readers and
life long learners.
Ideas for additinal homework activities:
Write a story
Start a journal about the days events
Write a letter to your teacher, a family member or a friend
Go to the public library or look on the internet to find an answer to a
question you have or just to learn more about something that interests you.
Tell others about something new you learned through a book by making a
poster, comic strip, diaroma, poem, constructing something, writing a play or
making a movie.
Interview someone who knows about something you are interested in. (example:
Think of questions and talk to a police officer, postman, fireman or
engineer.) Record your findings and share with others.
Find ways to discover math in the world around you. Bake a cake and practice
measuring. Count money together when you buy something at the store or
practice saving for a new toy. Have your child keep track of the time on a
clock and make a schedule to follow. Make riding in the car fun by playing
counting and adding games by looking for specific objects such as red cars,
stop signs or signs that have the letter R on them. Look for patterns in
numbers (growing patterns-counting by twos, fives and tens, repeating
patterns)
Give your child a direction on a sticky note, such as brushing his or her
teeth or taking out the trash, rather than voicing your request. This helps
build reading skills and following directions independently.
Work on the problem of the week together. Besure to show your work (with a
picture, number sentence, chart or graph) and discuss how you solved the
problem.
Discuss the Idiom of the Week and think of appropriate ways to use the
expression at home.
Remember there are opportunities for learning all around us. Learning is FUN!