Title I Family Connection

We are excited to invite all of our families for a fun night of Bingo for Books. Come and have dinner as a family, play several games of Bingo, win books, and get resources for you and your family. Please join us for these upcoming Bingo for Book family nights from 5-7 PM:

• Wednesday, April 16th at English School
• Wednesday, April 30th at Whittier School
• Thursday, May 1st at the Webster School
• Tuesday, May 6th at the Keverian School
• Thursday, May 8th at the Lafayette School
• Thursday, May 15th at the Parlin School

Did you know when children read for 20 minutes a day they are exposed to 1,800,000 words a year? Reading promotes brain development as it improves memory, strengthens focus and concentration, develops imagination, and increases knowledge as children learn about the world around them. Here are some tips and tricks to develop a love of reading at home:

• Create an at home library with a range of books including fiction and nonfiction as well books about topics your child is interested in.
• Dedicate a specific time each day to read with your child.
• Read aloud to your child and have them read to you. Ask questions as you read with your child. For example: Who was in the book? What was happening in the book? Where is the book taking place?
• Turn reading into a game, like playing “I Spy”, acting out the story, singing the story, or using silly voices.
• Develop a positive attitude around reading and praise your child for their reading

Another great strategy to develop reading at home is to take your child to the library. Everett has two public libraries: Parlin Memorial Library and Shute Memorial Library. There are plenty of great events at the libraries for children to enjoy! At the Parlin Memorial Library Monday to Fridays 3:00 to 5:00pm there are study buddies for K to 8 students which offers free tutoring and academic support - no registration required. Check out the library online calendar for more information about upcoming events.

Look at the pictures of a book with your child and use some of these questions:

• "Oh! Look at_______. How you think the characters feel? Why do you think that?
• "What do you think will happen next?"
• "What's this?" (If this child doesn't know, tell them.)
• "Look at________! Why do you think they are doing that?"

As you are reading, ask some of these questions:

• "What do you think they will do?" OR "What do you think will happen next?"
• "Have you every done/felt like this? When?"
  
• "What you think is happening here?" "What has happened so far in the book?"
• "How do you think they feel?"
• "What do you think they think about ________?"
• "What do you think this word ___________ means?"
• "Why do you think the character did _________? What would you have done?"

Bedtime Math is a free app that serves up a funny story with math questions. Download the app that will provide a new math problem everyday for you and your child to discuss together.

Kids talk through it with parents, grandparents, siblings – and don’t even notice they’re learning. Research shows that Bedtime Math moves kids ahead an extra three months in one school year.

Any parent or caregiver can help by making stress-free, pressure-free math talk. You can become a playful math guide for your child with these daily fun math problems.

Families can support the building their children's skills in building positive relationships with peers and other adults.

What are Relationship Skills: The ability to build and maintain positive relationships with others through communication, listening, and teamwork.

Why Relationship Skills matters: Strong relationship skills help children resolve conflicts, express their needs, and collaborate with others.

How families might support Relationship Skills:

• Model the Process of Listening to Others: Teach your child to repeat back what they have heard, to ask questions, indicate if they don't understand, and focus on what is being said. Practice by role-playing conversations.
• Teach “I” Statements: Instead of saying, “You’re being mean,” teach them to say, “I feel upset when you take my toy because I was playing with it.” This approach promotes healthy communication.
• Family Collaboration: Work together on a shared family project, like cooking dinner, assembling a puzzle, or planning an outing. Emphasize teamwork, patience, and compromise.

Everett Public Schools

121 Vine Street

Everett, MA 02149
617-394-2400

https://www.everettpublicschools.org/