Jennifer Di Ruocco
Mom to Mom Contributor
December, 2009
Now Therefore Be It Resolved…
The New Year generally signals the time to set New Year’s Resolutions. As parents we always want to make life better for our children. Setting those resolutions can help us evaluate what we are doing to help our children be successful students. So take a few minutes and reflect.
As a mother and educator I know the importance of setting fun routines that help my children become better students. There will be many changes in my home as I will not be a student for the first time in almost two years. I am looking forward to slowing down and enjoying more fun teachable moments with my children.
Here are some ideas for your family in setting New Year’s Resolutions:
- Set a weekly or monthly tradition of: game night, fitness night, craft night, pizza night, or no TV night. Do what you enjoy so it is fun and memorable for all. Mark the calendar and have fun.
- Start a family hobby such as: biking, stamp collecting, building models, or scrap-booking. As you pick your hobby keep in mind the season. It may need to diversify your hobbies throughout the year to keep it exciting and appropriate for the season.
- Start a neighborhood book club: Mother-Daughter, Father-Son Clubs. Be creative and do what those in your group will enjoy. After reading books include fun projects, pot lucks, or a trip to a museum. If there is a movie connection, take a trip to the movie theatre.
- Create a family read time each evening or several designated nights a week. Visit the library and check out books for the season, holiday, or a unit of study that the family is interested in.
Good luck with creating fun and educational New Year’s Resolutions. Best Wishes in 2010!
Organizational Side Note: As a classroom teacher I find that children forget their backpack, homework, or important papers. Finding a designated area for backpacks and school papers will help you stay organized. It is also important for your child to have a special place and time where homework can be completed. These things don’t take much time to arrange and can create less headaches for the whole family, whether it be right after school or rush time in the morning. The New Year is a great time to start new routines.
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Picture Book
Jingle Bells, Homework Smells
Diane de Groat
When Mrs. Byrd gives the class homework for the weekend, Gilbert just can't seem to find the time to do it. That's because it's almost Christmas, and Gilbert has other important things to do, like decorating Christmas cookies, ice skating with his friends, and helping his family find the perfect Christmas tree. What will Gilbert do when Monday morning comes?
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Intermediate Grades
Million Dollar Throw
By Mike Lupica
What would you do with a million dollars, if you were 13? Nate Brodie is nicknamed “Brady” not only for his arm, but also because he’s the biggest Tom Brady fan. He’s even saved up to buy an autographed football. And when he does, he wins the chance for something he’s never dreamed of—to throw a pass through a target at a Patriots game for $1 million. Nate should be excited. But things have been tough lately. His dad lost his job and his family and is losing their home. It’s no secret that $1 million would go a long way. So all Nate feels is pressure, and just when he needs it most, his golden arm begins to fail him. Even worse, his best friend Abby is going blind, slowly losing her ability to do the one thing she loves most—paint. Yet Abby never complains, and she is Nate’s inspiration. He knows she’ll be there when he makes the throw of a lifetime.
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Teens
The Hunger Games
By Suzanne Collins
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capital surrounded by 12 outlying districts.
The Capital is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games.
But Katniss has been close to death before - and survived.
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Parent Resource
readingrockets.org
Great website. Parents can get more information on how to build a stronger reader.
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