Resource Center

Mrs. Joy Wilds

My hours are: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9-12 and Tuesday 9-3

Outside of those hours, I can be reached at 262-689-2488

Many parents have asked for suggestions for helping their children succeed academically. Here are a few.

Helping your child with MATH-

The webpage for the Harcourt Math Series (grades 1-6) is a great place to start when helping your child with math. The web page has everything from demonstrations, to practice problems, to games that apply the skills they are learning. Explore the page with your child so that you are familiar with it when the need to use it arises.

http://www.harcourtschool.com/hspmath/na/index.html

In addition to using this web page, if your child is struggling in math you should-

  • Check their homework for understanding. If they have one or two wrong, they understand the concept and there is no need to do anything further, but if they have several wrong, you should have them explain how they did a problem and point out where they made a mistake. You may have to walk them through a couple of problems step by step. If the problems they are working on require multiple steps, you may want to have them write out the steps in order so that they can follow them as they do their work.
  • Pay particular attention to the homework they have the night before a test. Check for understanding of every type of problem.
  • Go over returned tests, having them correct any problems they got wrong. If they got most or all of a certain type of problem wrong, they need more instruction on this concept. Please spend time on this, or if you feel unsure of this topic have them see their classroom teacher or me to set up a time to get extra help.
  • It is very important that your child know their basic facts. If they don't, have them practice using flashcards or any online site. There are many good sites to use. Here is one- http://www.factmonster.com/math/flashcards.html Regular practice, either 10 minutes a day or 30 minutes two to three times a week, is the key.
  • Share the many ways you use math in every day life. For example when you are shopping show your child how you estimate discounts or how you estimate the total bill. This will teach them about rounding (a skill that is very difficult for some students), percents, money, etc. Cooking is another area where math can be taught. You use math everyday. Include your child as much as possible.
  • Logic Games- http://www.coolmath4kids.com/math_puzzles/index.html
  • Middle School Math help including the ability to search for topics- http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/drmath.middle.html

Helping your child with READING-

  • Read to your child. If you or your child feels they are too old for this, get them books on tape/CD. It is very important that they hear a fluent, expressive reader on a regular basis. I read to my son regularly through sixth grade and I still read to my family sometimes. My son's ACT score on the reading section was outstanding. Select books that are above the level they can read independently. Ask questions and discuss the story as you read. Use questions such as "What do you think will happen next?" or "Why do you think that happened?"
  • Help your child select books and find authors that they enjoy. If you can get your child to fall in love with reading, their struggles are likely to resolves fairly quickly.
  • Engage in regular reading. Read for pleasure. What you do has a powerful influence on your child.
  • Use meaningful, grown-up words when talking with your child. 
  • Include your child in conversations that go beyond taking care of the business of being a family. These type of conversations include questions like "what if," "what do you think," and "remember when." Research shows that children who are included in these types of conversations do better on both achievement and IQ tests. The dinner table is a great place for these conversations!
  • Monitor your child's television time as well as what they are watching. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 2 (or less) hours of television per day for children and none for children under the age of two.

The link to the web page for the Harcourt Reading Series (grades 1-6) is below. This web page is not as useful as the math series web page. The test tutor feature might be helpful in preparing to take tests. The suggestions above are more likely to help your child.

http://www.harcourtschool.com/menus/collections.html

password: Farr

Questions? Use the teacher's Email contact form