Homonyms

Homonyms are often taught with worksheets in second grade, but with a little extra ingenuity, they can also lend themselves to marvelous physical games. Here’s one we recommend

Spelling Guessing Game

There is a lot of research being done on how children learn and retain information. From this research teachers are beginning to put less emphasis on memorizing spelling lists. Children learn best when they are able to relate what they are learning to the world around them and old fashion memorization leaves little room for children to make connections between the words on their paper and their environment.

Education.com offers a unique way to help those spelling words stick in a childs mind.

Read about the game...

Hope

another tidbit from MotivateUs.com

Why does the sun rise
Why do we get up in the morning
Why is there breathe in our lungs
Why are we here
Hope
For hope we live

Not because the grass
Is green beneath our feet
Not because the clouds
Are calm above our heads
Not because the sunshine is warm
And the breeze cool on our sides
But for hope
For hope we live

Not because there are mangoes up the tree
But because there is seed in the ground
And there will be a harvest
Not because the well is wet
But look the clouds are gathering
And there will be rain
And rivers will flow
Rivers of joy
Rivers of peace
Of life
Hope
For hope we live

Why does a baby crawl
Why does a widow hum
Why does a builder
Place brick on brick on brick
Why does a fisherman
Cast his net upon a bare lake
Hope
For hope we live

Not because yesterday was full
Not because today is fresh
But because tomorrow is fertile
Hope
For hope we live
And hope does not
Let us down!

" You cannot push someone up the ladder when he himself doesn't want to climb."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Jep Santos --- Philippines
It's very appropriate. Do not just lead. Make them interested.

" When it rains, most birds head for shelter; the eagle is the only bird that, in order to avoid the rain, starts flying above the cloud. Problem is common to all but attitude makes the difference."
Author Unknown

Spelling Words

What you need:

• ruler or yardstick
• chalk
• open, paved space (driveway or sidewalk)
• pencil and paper

What to do:
1. Prepare for this activity by drawing a 6-by-6 grid of 16" squares on your driveway or sidewalk.

2. Invite your child to fill the squares with the letters of the alphabet, leaving one or two blank spaces in each row.

3. To play, have children hop from one letter to another to spell words. The blank squares can be used to bridge gaps between letters that are farther apart. Children can choose words to spell, or you can create a list of spelling words.

4. Players earn one point per letter of each word they spell correctly. (For instance, "house" spelled correctly would earn 5 points.) Use a pencil and paper to record how many points each child has accumulated.

5. The first player to earn 50 points wins!

Learning Benefits:
• develops spelling
• encourages exercise

Teach Your Child to Read Using the Neurological Impress Method

Teach your child to read the fun and surprisingly easy way using the Neurological Impress Method. The NIM works within your child's reading level to enhance the grasp of correct reading habits.

The Neurological Impress Method (N.I.M.) is a method for teaching reading to your child at home. It was first developed by R.G. Heckelman, PhD. NIM combines seeing, hearing, and speaking for simultaneous learning. No special training is required. All you need is some age appropriate reading material (2-3 grade levels below your child's actual grade level is recommended.)

Read aloud

Sit so your voice is close to your child's ear, then read the passage out loud, together. You should read a little faster than your child can manage at first. The idea is to train him to keep up. Repeat sentences and paragraphs until your child is comfortable with the technique and develops a sense of accomplishment. It can take just 3 minutes in some cases (longer in others) to get the ball rolling.

Keep Reading & Don't correct

It takes very little instruction, but remember never to correct your child. He will hear his own mistakes and correct them by listening to your voice as he goes. Don't stop to ask questions of your child and don't entertain his questions until the session is over. The exercise is meant to build a correct reading style that will be conducive to accuracy down the road.

The finger guide

As you read together, move your finger along with the words in a smooth, continuous fashion. This gives the child a clear target to look at. It keeps his eyes from straying all over the page and helps establish his grasp of the left-right progression of text. In time, he can take over the finger function.

Stay Synchronized

It's crucial to ensure that your voice is synchronized to the speed at which your finger moves across the page. Your finger should be under the word you are reading at all times. As an experienced reader you may tend to look ahead and run your finger ahead of where their voice is. With the N.I.M. it is essential that the finger movements, voice, and words all be synchronized.

Pick up the Pace!

You need to periodically speed up the rate at which you cover material so your student is forced to read and comprehend faster. Practice reading at a slightly increased pace for few manageable minutes each session.

The Neurological Impress Method is a very effective way to teach your child how to read. It takes story time to the next level by involving your youngster directly. If you're patient and increase the demand slowly, over time, your child will acclimate to advanced reading levels naturally and be ready for further advancement in no time at all.

for more articles visit math-and-reading-help-for-kids.org