Learning+at+home

= Spelling = toc

Learning to spell


 * 1) Use chalk on the pavement to practice writing words.
 * 2) Fill water bottles with water and food colouring and ‘squirt’ write the words outside.
 * 3) Type the words on the computer exploring different fonts, size and colours.
 * 4) Make up songs to learn spelling words e.g. learning the word ‘there’ to the B.I.N.G.O song. Eg. T.H.E.R.E and there was it's name-e.
 * 5) Play games like hangman with spelling words or make bingo games using spelling words.
 * 6) Use letter magnets on the fridge to spell spelling words.
 * 7) Writing words in sandpits or on the beach. Using shells or something special to spell out the words.
 * 8) Use paint to paint spelling words.
 * 9) Make words out of scrabble game board pieces or alphabet beads to make spelling jewellery.
 * 10) Make spelling words out of play dough.
 * 11) Decorate cupcakes and cookies using spelling words.
 * 12) Find the letters needed to spell a word in alphabet spaghetti.
 * 13) Cut out the letters needed to make a word using letters from a magazine.
 * 14) Write the words in the air using a magic wand or sword.

= Reading at home- self selected material =

Reading at home and school should be relaxed and enjoyable. Family members can demonstrate that they value reading by reading for pleasure in front of the child, this could be reading magazines, newspaper articles and novels.

Encouraging children to read self selected material can have the following benefits:
 * Build the habit of reading
 * Provide opportunity for children to practise reading strategies with books that interest them.
 * Build vocabulary and develop comprehension
 * Help them to sustain concentrated reading for a set time
 * Promote fluency (especially by reading favourite stories)
 * Promote responsibility for problem solving when attacking unknown words
 * Promote risk taking and develop confidence when trying unfamilar books.

To become a lifelong reader children need the opportunity to select their own text to read and share what they have read with others. Providing children with ready access to a range of interesting materials that they can read by themselves is also important because it enables children to choose to read independently whenever the opportunity arises. Children benefit greatly when they engage in recreational reading both in and out of school.

= Maths =

Maths at home: · Learn numbers by making numbers out of dough, pipe cleaners, writing numbers in sand etc. · Making and counting sets of objects e.g. baking 12 muffins, counting how many pencils in a container etc. · Talking about and using practical maths problems e.g. I have 5 muffins but I need to give 2 to your brother. How many muffins will I have left? · Counting money to develop an awareness of place value e.g. 10 dollar note + 3 1 dollar coins = $13 10 dollar note + 4 1 dollar coins = $14 · Counting groups of ten/five/two using dollar notes or coins to learn skip counting e.g 10, 20 , 30 , 40… 2, 4 , 6, 8… 5, 10 , 15, 20 ….  · Looking at numbers on the letterboxes. Are there odd on one side and even on the other side? · Celebrate birthdays and count how many years they have been alive, counting backwards and f forwards. Discuss how old people will be on their next birthday or in 2 years time. Discuss how old people were on their last birthday or 2 years ago.

=** Improving fine motor skills **=

There are many activities that can be done at home to develop fine motor skills. As fine motor skills improve tasks such as writing become easier for the children. Hiding coins and objects in play dough and putty and trying to get them out. Manipulating dough, rolling into shapes etc. Threading beads Use a thick black line to guide cutting the following: A fringe from a piece of paper Cut off corners of a piece of paper Cut along curved lines Cut lines with a variety of angles Cut figures with curves and angles Cut clay with blunt scissors Place a variety of forms (eg. blocks, felt, paper, string, wool, cereal, cotton) on outlines Match shapes, color, or pictures to a page and paste them within the outlines Use a thick black line if needed Trace and then color shapes, increasing the size and complexity gradually Many times when a child is unable to do a worksheet, it helps to trace the pattern with his finger before he tries it with a pencil. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Have the child trace a pattern in sand, cornmeal, finger paint, etc. The textures give the child kinesthetic feedback. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Many times when a child is unable to do a worksheet, it helps to trace the pattern with his finger before he tries it with a pencil. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Have the child trace a pattern in sand, cornmeal, finger paint, etc. The textures give the child kinesthetic feedback. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Buttoning, lacing, tying, zipping, using a screwdriver, opening and closing jars etc.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">Play dough and silly putty:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Dressing dolls/ action figures
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Puzzles
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Lacing
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Finger painting
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Screwing up newspaper in one hand at a time to develop strength
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Cutting with scissors
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">Placing and Pasting
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">Tracing and Coloring:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">Finger Tracing
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">Finger Tracing
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">Self-Care Skills (not listed in order of difficulty)