Hat's Off to a New Year

We are hoping everyone's first day yesterday started off without a hitch (ok we'll allow the occasional forgotten lunch bag or missed school bus)!!! Healthy Start Academy is focused on ensuring every child has a successful school year, and we've got some helpful resources available for parents and children alike. Continue to follow our blog throughout the year. As we will still blog about the importance of reading (as well as awesome books your child should read throughout the year) we will also keep you up-to-date and well-informed on news and events. Be sure to stay tuned!

Educational Resources

1. Curriculum NC

www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/

Performance: NC Public Schools

www.ncpublicschools.org/data/reports/

Profile: NC Report Cards

www.ncreportcards.org

4. 21^st Century Community Learning Program

21^st Century Community Learning Centers

www2.ed.gov/programs/21stcclc/index.html

21^st Century Application

www2.ed.gov/programs/21stcclc/index.html

21^st Century Community Learning Centers

www.ncpublicschools.org/21cclc/

Online Study Tools

Study Island

www.studyisland.com/

Merriam-Webster Dictionary for Kids

www.merriam-webster.com/

Math Dictionary for Kids

www.amathsdictionaryforkids.com/

Brain Pop

www.brainpop.com/

Sample End-of-Grade Tests: Reading

www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/testing/eog/sampleitems/readin

Sample End-of-Grade Tests: Math

www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/testing/eog/sampleitems/math

Sample End-of-Grade Tests: Science

www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/testing/eog/sampleitems/science

US A Test Prep

www.usatestprep.com

Student Supply Lists

North Carolina Public Schools

www.ncpublicschools.org/

NC Alliance for Public Charter Schools

www.nccharters.org/

SES Tutoring Programs

www.dpi.state.nc.us/docs/program-monitoring/titleIA/ses/providers/approved-providers.pdf

Online Resources for Your Child

The internet is a fantastic tool for your child to use throughout the school year, so long as it is used wisely. For every great internet site out there, there are dozens you may not want your child to venture to. First things first, set parental limits on your child's (or your home's) computer, and create ground rules for what they are, and are not, allowed to do during computer time. Also, take a look every once and awhile on the computer to see what they're up to. Not too sure where to start looking for great websites? Well lucky for you, we've listed some popular ones below.

E-Learning for Kids-The online resource for childhood learning on the internet-available from anywhere in the world. Fun, educational learning for children ages 5-12. This site is great because it's championed by parents, educators, and the community. The staff is all volunteer-based and focused on helping children succeed in areas that are a primary focus in the world today.

Ivy's Internet Search for Kids-Want to feel at ease with where your children go on the internet? Ivy's internet search helps your child find what they are looking for by turning to kid-friendly search engines like Ask for Kids, Cyber Sleuth for Kids, Yahoo! Kids, and MSN Encarta. We like this site because children are able to type search questions into any of the engines they feel will yield the right information, and are taken to the search engines list of possible websites. The site also gives links to other online resources and child-friendly websites your child can explore and learn from.

Music Education Online-Children learn in a variety of ways, and while math, science, and language arts are important aspects of your child's education, don't leave out more creative pathways. Music Education Online is a resource dedicated to music in schools. It's a well-known fact that music helps foster a interest in learning and is used a vehicle for children to express themselves with confidence and understanding. If your child is musically inclined, or if you would like them to be, definitely use this resource as an important tool.

Teach Me Spanish-It's no secret the world is becoming more cohesive and global. Children in Japan learn English by face-chatting with American pen pals, and right here in our own country children are able to choose from a variety of languages they would like to learn. Spanish is still the most prevalent widely used language other than English, and 1-2-3- Teach Me Spanish is a great resource because it understands that learning a new language can be difficult and comes up with many different ways to teach children of all ages.

Learning Planet-Want a website that is popular with students and teachers alike? The learning planet is a helpful resource regardless of if you are a seventh grade student, or a third grade teacher. We like it because it's information is all in real time. Right now it's spotlight feature is focused on getting children excited about going back to school, and always has up-dated online educational games like word searches and sudoku. After your child spends ten-minutes on this site the homework help will seem like an added bonus. The down-side? It does require a membership fee to have full access to the site.

Week Seven "Ten Minute Truths"

With school just a week away, there isn't much time left for you child to complete their workbooks, and enjoy the last few fleeting days of summer. If your child tends to procrastinate, divvy up what's left of their workbook exercises and help them create a plan to finish it on time. The truth is, every child that completes their workbook in its entirety, and brings it on the first day of school, will receive a $25 Wal-Mart or Target giftcard. Don't let your child miss out !!

Whether your child is starting Kindergarten, or entering the eighth grade, this week's truth is focused not only on completing the workbook, but also ensuring they understand what they've learned. Take ten minutes each day to review areas of the workbook that your child struggled with and have them redo problem exercises. Work through each problem with them to help them retain information, and give them recognition when they are able to complete exercises they had trouble completing before. Another truth? Positive recognition and reinforcement will help your child want to continue to learn. MyChildEducation.com is a helpful resource to give tips on how positive reinforcement improves learning abilities and helps build self-confidence within your child.

Week Seven Suggested Reading

Here it is boys and girls, the last week of reading topics before school begins. We definitely recommend getting in some personal reading time, because with all the homework assignments, group projects, tests, and extra-curricular, you may find that there isn't enough time to pick up a good book of your choosing. Before it became a box-office hit, due to Tom Cruise's good looks and action-hero persona, War of the Worlds was hailed as a cult-horror classic since its literary inception more than a century ago. H.G. Wells terrified the world with his science-fiction tale about a Martian invasion, based on the impending war in Europe, that could destroy the very world we live in. If you enjoy a good terror-tale that holds true, even today, this book will grip you, and keep you hooked, until the very end.

Kindergarten: The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood

1^st: Ameilia Bedilia’s First Day of School by Herman Parish

2^nd: Mouse and Mole: Fine Feathered Friends by Wong Herbert Yee

3^rd: The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco

4^th: Spaceheadz by Jon Scieszka

5^th: Beowulf by Michael Morpurgo

6^th: Bound by Donna Jo Napoli

7^th: The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks

8^th: War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

Week Six "Ten Minute Truths"

Classes begin in just a few weeks, and the truth is, students aren't the only ones who need to be prepared. With Facebook, web pages, and weekly newsletters provided to give parents the most up-to-date and current information, many students will still start their first week without much needed school supplies, expired immunization records, or personal information that needs to be updated (i.e. will your child be a bus rider, new home address, health information). Don't be caught telling your child to be prepared for the first day as you fall behind! Here are a few websites that can help you stay current on important information. Healthy Start's Facebook Page gives information on calendar events (think Kindergarten Orientation and Open House), the PTO, and directions to the Academy. Smart shopping for school supply ideas can be found on the Academy's website, and information on immunization needs is located at Immunize NC.

Kindergarten Parents

Need to get your child excited about Arithmetic? Pages 274-289 in your child's workbook will introduce them to activities that will shine a fun and positive light on math. Math Attractions and the Number Match Game allow your child to familiarize themselves with the language of numbers through fun games you can play together.

Parents with Children in 1st-6th Grade

At this point in the summer, you should be encouraging and congratulating your child for how far they've come in their workbooks. With only one week left, make sure they are making every effort to complete the workbook in its entirety. One way to do so is to review the Developmental Skills for Math and Reading Success with your child at the end of each section (if they are in the 1st-5th grades). This review will help them retain as well as reiterate what they've learned. For 6th grade parents, review the Teaching Suggestions on pg. 529, with your child, as they work to complete their workbook.

Parents with Children in 7th & 8th Grades

With school just around the corner, it's time for your children to use the internet as the educational tool it was designed to be. Check out our Kid-friendly Resource page coming soon to find news and tools that will help your child make it through the school year successfully!

Week Six Suggested Reading

Hailed as a vivid and exciting blend of historical fiction and fantasy, by TeenReads.com, The Red Queen's Daughter is the tale of Mary Seymour. As the only child of Katherine Parr (King Henry the Eighth's widow) and Thomas Seymour, Mary becomes an orphan after both of her parents die. Following the tragic death of her guardian, the Duchess of Suffolk, Mary is taken in by Lady Strange who bestows upon her the knowledge that she has a special destiny. Under Lady Strange's direction, Mary trains and develops the necessary knowledge needed to become a white magician, a craft that brings her closer to Queen Elizabeth. But soon Mary gets involved in the societal world of politics and dark magic with Edmund Seymour, a dark magician, and her loyalty to her vows, her craft, and her queen are soon tested. Jacqueline Kolosov creates an imaginative and haunting tale of what life may have been like in 16th century England that is sure to intrigue any young reader.

Kindergarten: Goodnight, Little Monster by Helen Ketterman

1^st: You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short Fairytales to Read Together by Mary Ann Hoberman

2^nd: Jabuti the Tortoise: A Trickster Tale from the Amazon by Gerald McDermott

3^rd: Nightmare at the Book Fair by Dan Gutman

4^th: Dear Max by Sally Grindley

5^th: Zeus: King of the Gods by George O'Connor

6^th: Gods of Manhattan by Scott Mebus

7^th: The Red Queen’s Daughter by Jacqueline Kolosov

8^th: Rescuing Seneca Crane by Susan Runholt

Week Five "Ten Minute Truths"

Now that your child realizes high school is just around the corner, entering middle school can be a very daunting task. This is the perfect time to have a conversation with your child about what he or she can expect while taking the next big step in their educational journey. Discuss their feelings and apprehension, while keeping a positive focus on their new adventure. Check out the About.com Guide for a few tips and tricks to help you and your child make it through those first few days. This weeks "Ten Minute Truths" focuses on critical thinking skills and the final leg of practice test taking

Kindergarten Parents

Now's the time to put the skills your children have learned by completing workbook exercises to the test. The truth is, developing critical thinking skills is crucial during the early years of a child's life, but they can also be the hardest to acquire. Spending time weekly with your child on critical thinking activities will go a long way in their development. Wondering where to start? Completing the critical thinking exercises on pgs. 259-273 are a definite way to get your child started on the right track!

Parents with Children in 1st-8th Grades

In week 4's "Ten Minute Truths" we discussed the art of consistency paired with repetition as a great learning tool. As your child will probably have many tests to prepare for this year, this is one learning tool you will want them to have a fine understanding of. Before the school year begins, have your child complete the final practice test in their workbook. Right on the heels of the first practice test from week 4, your child should definitely see improvements in their score. This achievement will prove to your child that utilizing the consistency with repetition learning style is a sure fire way to gain success in the classroom!

Week Five Suggested Reading

Give your child a glimpse of your childhood by turning them on to a classic for all ages. Rudyard Kiplings, The Jungle Book, is set in the magical, mysterious land of India. This tale of people and animals living together, in the world of nature, has appealed equally to children and adults since its first appearance more than a century ago. No one can quite forget Mowgli, the boy raised by wolves, and his band of mismatched comrades Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther, and Kaa the snake. Children will be intrigued by Mowgli's adventures in the jungle, and will be inspired by his rise from boy to man as he defeats his nemesis, the tiger Shere Khan. Don't let your child miss out on an epic adventure that has captivated millions the world over!

Kindergarten: The Very Fairy Princess by Julie Andrews

1^st: Lost & Found: 3 Dog Stories by Jim LaMarche

2^nd: Frog & Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel

3^rd: Flight of the Phoenix by R. L. La Fevers

4^th: Sarah, Plain & Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

5^th: Zeus: King of the Gods by George O’Connor

6^th: The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan

7^th: The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

8^th: Ruined by Paula Morris

Week Four "Ten Minute Truths"

Now that the kindergartner's are on their way, it's time to focus on the next big step; preparing your child for where they go once their grade actually starts with a number, elementary school. At onetoughjob.org, an online resource, parents are given tips to help their child prepare for their big day (they also have good tips for preparing for other grades, high school, and life thereafter). What's most important? Start reminding your child of when school begins, get back on a routine (for bedtime and a school schedule), adjust to the new academics, and especially give your child time to adjust within the first few weeks.

Kindergarten Parents

The truth? The more time you spend with your child over the summer reviewing educational games and practicing workbook exercises, the more prepared and confident you child will be with new material once school begins. This week, spend a half an hour each day focusing on the "ABC Fingerplays" in their workbook on pages 248-258. Preschoolers generally enjoy the predictability of rhyming language. ABC Fingerplays will enable them to see patterns in word sounds that will greatly influence their ability to read later on.

Parent's with Children in 1-8th Grades

The truth is, consistency and repetition are a great way to help your child read, understand, and retain what they've learned in their workbooks before school begins. Help your child stay consistent by creating a workbook schedule that they are responsible for sticking to. Let them create a schedule they feel comfortable with, but will also ensure they complete the workbook on time, and follow up weekly to make sure they are on the right track. A great way to help them retain information is by having them complete the first practice test at the end of the workbook. Once completed, review the answers and, if there is any area where multiple wrong answers were chosen, have them review exercises from that chapter in the workbook.