New Releases

School's out for a little while longer, which makes this the perfect time to catch up on good reads during the rest of winter break.  Keeping your child engaged in reading, and other educational activity will prepare them for when classes are back in session. Here are a few new releases your child will enjoy!


1. The Island of Bum Bum Ba Loo by Daniel Errico
Need a bedtime boost? Let your child journey to the rhythmical island of Bum Bum Ba Loo
 where explorers will show them the land, meet the king and queen, and dance with locals until they drift off into la la land.


2. Ruthless (Pretty Little Liars #10) by Sara Shepard
The next installment in the PLL franchise, Ruthless, digs deeper into the secrets and lies that keep Emily, Aria, Spencer, and Hannah close together.  What they don't realize is that A's not far behind.  If your little girl hasn't started this series yet, now's the perfect time.


3. Witch and Wizard: The Fire by James Patterson
The third installment in Witch and Wizard series is a fantastic read your middle schooler. This fantastic journey filled with adventure, allure, strength, and determination could only have come to life through the eyes of the illusive James Patterson.


4. Big Nate and Friends by Lincoln Peirce
Big Nate's got an impressive imagination.  Your child will enjoy his raucous adventures over and over again.  You may have to take this one from them!


5. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (Fudge) by Judy Blume
While a Judy Blume novel may not seem like a new release to you, it is being re-introduced to a new generation of readers.  Tell your child how awesome and magical these books were to you, and we're sure it'll peak some interest! Then get them hooked on the other books in the series.

#WordsofWisdom

"That's what I love about Aibileen, she can take the most complicated things in life and wrap them up so small and simple, they'll fit right in your pocket."-Kathryn Sockett, The Help. 

#WordsofWisdom

Hobbes: Waddaya think Calvin? Looks like a long way down.

Calvin: Nah, piece of cake. Let’s do it. -Calvin and Hobbes

#WordsofWisdom

"Money is a needful and precious thing,--and, when well used, a noble thing,--but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for. I'd rather see you poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace."
-Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

Current News

With Thanksgiving just a day away, everyone's thinking the same thing. Food, food, and more FOOD! Read the articles below, all dedicated to food. The good, the bad, and the super sweet!
Happy Thanksgiving from Healthy Start Academy


1. Jelly Belly Makes For a Sweet (And Superhit) Single!
Singer/Songwriter Kina Grannis was looking for an extremely creative way to film the music video for her song "In Your Arms". With the help of director Greg Jardin and 30 volunteers, they created background scenes made of Jelly Belly jelly beans.  After 2 years, and using over 200,000 jelly beans, you can check out Kina's amazing work of art on YouTube.


2. Cut Back on Food Waste this Thanksgiving
It's estimated that this holiday season (Thanksgiving to New Years), American households will have an extra 5 million tons of food! Read more from this article to find out ways to prevent extra, or left over food, from going to waste.  Our favorite? Donating extra dried and canned goods to food banks and shelters.


3. 3Q's: How to Eat Healthy around the Holidays
It's the beginning of the holiday season, time to indulge and enjoy foods you only get during this time of year.  And while eating these festive, favorite foods, will make you all fuzzy inside, over-indulging will do a number on your health.  Read this article and keep your family happy and healthy on Turkey Day.

#WordsofWisdom

"But Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck.  You heard what Linus was saying out there. Those early Pilgrims were happy for what had happened to them, and we should be thankful, too. We should just be thankful for being together. I think that's what they mean by 'Thanksgiving,' Charlie Brown.

-A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

#WordsofWisdom

"So if you want to find somebody to blame for the way I am, I guess you'd have to start with the public education system."

#WordsofWisdom

"Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone...just remember that all the people in the world haven't had the advantages that you've had."

-The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald)

Current News

This week is chock full of great science and wellness articles for you to enjoy with your children. More importantly, with the week ending on Veteran's Day, take the time to discuss why we celebrate this day and how it impacts your lives personally. The men and women of the armed forces protect our freedom valiantly. Spend time with your child and come up with great ways to honor local heroes.

1. Veteran's Day: An Opportunity to Honor the Men and Women Who Serve Our Country

Today children across the nation have the day off. Take this time to reflect with your child, and pay respect to the men and women who serve and protect our country in the armed forces.

2. Running the City

On November 6, a Kenyan man broke the course record for the INC New York City Marathon! Read on to learn more about Geoffrey Mutai and his exceptional skill!

3. Python Invasion

Burmese pythons are invading and taking over the Florida Everglades, and this may mean big trouble to the areas delicate ecosystem. This article delves into what happens when dangerous invaders arrive in unknown territory.

4. Young Students Reflect On Afghanistan Service

Help your child get a first-hand glimpse into the life of a soldier by reading Veteran accounts of their days serving our country. This article proves to be quite inspiring.

5. Skateboarders Rock Physics

Scientists aren't the only ones out there trying to understand the laws of Physics. Recently scientists have looked to skateboarders and their abilities on slopes to help understand physics on another level. See what you learn in school can be fun!

#WeeklyWisdom:

"Promise you'll never forget me, because if I thought you would I'd never leave."

-Winnie the Pooh

Current News

This week has been full of interesting news. From dedicating a monument to a leader of civil rights and equality, to the death of a ruler in a war-torn country, the news takes into account both ends of the spectrum. Discuss these differing articles with your child and help them understand the world is a balance of right and wrong. And for fun, read some of the other stories that will excite and intrigue your young reader.

1. Harry Potter's Wizarding World Comes to Life at a New Studio

Ever wonder what a visit to Hogwarts would be like? Or see the home the Weasley's built? In that case a trip to Europe is in order! The Making of Harry Potter Studio opens March 2012 in Waterford, England. Fans of the movie, and book, series will be able to tour the actual sets where Harry Potter's adventures took place.

2. Libyan Dictator is Killed

Much talk this week has focused on the death of Libyan former ruler Muammar el-Qaddafi. Discuss this story with your child, find out what they've heard (at school, after-programs, etc), and help them understand the effects of this story on the Libyan people.

3. Big Rocks' Balancing Acts

Geologists Richard and James Brune have studied rocks in California that apparently balance themselves! Even cooler, earthquakes in the area have been known to topple these rocks (some as big as 5 meters tall) giving more clues to how sizable these earthquakes have been. Great new for scientists!

4. Explaining Wall Street, Recessions, and the Economic Crisis to Kids

This story gives a fantastic, in-depth look at the Recession, its causes, and where the American economy is headed. Even better it does it in words children will easily understand! Talk about this story with your child, help them gain better knowledge about the state of America's financial system.

5. Dedication of a Dream

"With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope." These words, coined by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963, served as the platform for the dedication of the memorial in his honor on Oct. 16th in Washington, D.C. Read on to learn more about this monumental event.

#WeeklyWisdom

"Winning means fame and fortune.

Losing means certain death.

The hunger games have begun..."

-Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games-Book 1)

Current News

A lot seems to be going on across the globe as people work to make the world a better place. Whether scientists, soldiers, or jumpers, people are making a difference. Read any of these great articles with your child to continue spreading these positive messages!

1. Using Recycled Glass to Purify Ground Water

The recycling company isn't a big fan of your colored glass bottles and containers? No problem, you can still use that glass to make big improvements to the environment. Researchers are finding ways of filtering pollutants from ground water with the use of colored glass. What will they think of next!

2. America's Longest War

As our nation marks the 10th anniversary of the war in Afghanistan, discuss how the effects of the war have impacted lives here in America. Read the article, let your child express their feelings, and show them how the war has had an impact in their life.

3. Cars of the Future

By the time your child is able to drive, it will be a lot different from when you were growing up. There may be a lot less anxiety as these cars practically drive themselves. Cars of the future are being made to think for you, anticipate problems, and generally make our roads a safer place. Hopefully your child will still have to wait until they're 16 to drive one!

4. How You Can Help East Africa

Organizations all around the world are working together to bring aid to East Africa. Read on with your child to learn how a little can go a long way. Somalia an African nation in the most need, and many of these relief agencies are helping people everyday. Ask your child about ways they can make a difference.

5. Thanks Jumpers!

It seems the First Lady Michelle Obama is into breaking records. With the help of the Today Show, the First Lady and jumpers across the globe did jumping jacks for one-minute to break the Guinness World Record!! Read on to learn more, and stay tuned to see if they did it!

#WeeklyWisdom

“How many slams in an old screen door? Depends how loud you shut it. How many slices in a bread? Depends how thin you cut it. How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live 'em. How much love inside a friend? Depends how much you give 'em.”
― Shel Silverstein

Premiere Reading Guide

Epic adventures are right around the corner! This week’s new releases feature uncovered works from popular authors, imaginative tales of wonder and inspiration, and a lot of laughs. From children to teens there’s a book for everyone to enjoy. Get your children reading with any of these stories and you’ll have them hooked!!

-The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories by Dr. Suess

Hailed the literary equivalent of buried treasure, The Bippolo Seed is a compilation of some of Dr. Seuss’s best, and rarely ever seen, works for children.

-Everything on It by Shel Silverstein

If traditional books aren’t to your child’s liking, a book holding over 100 of Silverstein’s never-before-seen children’s poems might just perk their interest!

-Sweet Land of Liberty by Callista Gingrich

Rhymes and colorful illustrations will capture and hold your child’s attention as their imagination takes flight while they explore our nation’s history with Ellis the Elephant.

-Modelland by Tyra Banks

Intrigued by the mysterious world of Modelland? Only few receive an invitation to join, and those who don’t make it? Well, that’s something no one ever speaks of.

-Abarat: Absolute Midnight by Clive Barker

What would you do if every hour felt like an eternal day, and nothing was what it seemed? Candy Quackenbush knows all about this life, and the trouble that seems to find her as she fights against Mater Motley and her quest for absolute midnight.

Current News

This week’s theme: things that glow bright. Solar Decathalons, planets with more than one sun, and cats that glow in the dark. Scientifically there’s a lot going on in our world (and beyond). Discuss any of these cool new finds with your child, and for fun? Stamp collecting, and buried treasure are more than meets the eye!

1. New Faces for Stamps

Time to update those stamp collections! Until now, many children may not have recognized the famous faces they’ve seen on US postage stamps, but USPS is hoping that the faces of living Americans (think Taylor Swift or Justin Beiber) on stamps will help generate more postage purchases.

2. Bounty Hunters Discover Treasure Trove Inside WWII Shipwreck!

A World War? Torrential storms? Robots? Buried Treasure?!?! Sounds like the making of an epic adventure, or what bounty hunters stumbled across using the Odyssey Marin Exploration Robotic Scanner. Intrigued? Read on to find out more on the world’s most valuable shipwreck.

3. 2011 Solar Decathlon

Students from around the world are helping to do their part in making our world a cleaner place. The Solar Decathlon is a ten-day competition where teams create and display model homes that harness solar energy to heat, cool, and power the homes. Pretty neat, huh?

4. Glow Kitties

Looking for a way to take top honors this Halloween? Try walking a live kitten that glows in the dark down your street. Researchers are testing a way to fight the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, and you can tell if the test is working by turning of the lights (that’s when things get spooky)!!

5. A Planet with Two Suns

And you thought Star Wars was a fictional tale. Well, sort of. Astronomers have discovered a planet with two suns (think Luke Skywalker’s home). Does it support life? Read on to learn more.

#Weekly Wisdom

"Kid you'll move mountains
So... Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O'Shea,
You're off to great places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So... Get on your way." -Oh, the Places You’ll Go! (Dr. Seuss)

Current News

Shoes, space, and summits oh my! This week is chock full of diverse news from across the country to across the globe. In NYC we see fashion at its finest, while world leaders commune to deliberate on global concerns. And the government takes on your child's biggest fear, school bullies. So read on, and discuss these topics with your child. You may just be surprised by what they have to say!

1. NYC's Fashion's Night out Features Some Sweet Shoes-YUM!

It's never too early to be a fashionista-in-training! If your child's been bitten by the style bug this will be a good read.

2. A Half-Century of Helping

The Peace Corps is celebrating 50 years of helping people around the globe. Start a discussion with your child about lending a hand locally.

3. World Leaders Unite

Leaders will gather at the United Nations in N.Y. C. to discuss global topics on diseases, climate change, and global security.

4. Would You Step In?

It seems even the government is taking a stance against bullying. The Department of Education is hosting a bullying conference at the White House. Read this article with your child and learn their views on bullying, and help teach them how to prevent it.

5. Wanted: Garbage Collectors in Space

The world we live in isn't the only place we need to worry about keeping clean. Space junk is causing quite a concern across the globe as scientist try to figure out a way to keep the space around our planet clean too.

#WeeklyWisdom:

“Never trust a pretty girl with an ugly secret.”

-Pretty Little Liars (Sara Shepard)

Current News-Week Three

Exciting news this week! President Obama visited NC State on Wednesday to talk to students about his new proposed jobs act. An overwhelming number of students and residents filed into N.C. State's Reynolds Coliseum to hear the President's speech. And while his spirited and enthusiastic nature was evident, his message on the state of jobs across the nation was clear. Read on to find out more about the President's visit to this great state, and discuss what it all means with your child.

1. President Obama visits N.C. State to garner support for his new jobs act.

The President speaks with students and N.C. residents about a tough issue facing the U.S.; the job crisis.

2. World's Biggest Chocolate Bar Conveys An Even Bigger Message

What do portion control and tons of chocolate have in common? You'll find out in this intriguing article that's more than meets the eye.

3. The Height of Daring

A tightrope walker sets what will hopefully be a new Guiness world record, proving things are only as impossible as you allow them to be.

4. School Provision in Alabama Immigration Law Forces Families to Move

Immigration in America has been a hot topic. Discuss this article with your child and help them view it from different perspectives.

5. A Natural Fit

A modern take on a classic ride. Building bikes from bamboo has proven to be an eco-friendly, global effort for bike-maker Bamboo Bike Studio in New York City.

#WeeklyWisdom

"We aren't just ordinary children, are we. None of us."

-Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card)

Current News-Week Two

Sunday is the ten-year anniversary of the September 11th tragedy. Take the time to discuss these events with your child. Tell them where you were, and how those events affected your life. Listen to their thoughts, and answer their questions. Ask them how their school is commemorating the anniversary of the day that shaped America's future. Here are other great current events to discuss with your child:

1. Astronomers Make a 'Gem' of a Discovery-A Diamond Planet

They say diamonds are a girl's best friend, and this planet's full of them!

2. Fires Continue to Burn Across the State

If your child is looking for ways to help, contact the Red Cross and reach out to those affected by the devastating wildfires in Texas.

3. Florida Students Witnessed the Moment Bush Learned of 9/11 Terror Attacks

Students remember the day, 10 years ago, when they met President Bush and America changed forever.

4. Arabic Instruction on Rise in U.S. Schools Since 9/11

This article discusses the increased understanding and acceptance of Arabic as a foreign language in American schools.

5. The New Greatest Generation

Young adults who were high school teenagers on September 11, 2001 are looking to make an impact, and illustrating how their lives have changed since that fateful day.

#WeeklyWisdom

"In dreams, we enter a world that's entirely our own..."

-Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (J.K. Rowling)

New Book Releases

A fun way to keep your child engaged in reading? Get them hooked on a book or comic series. They'll look forward to the continuation of the stories of their favorite characters. If the next book has yet to be published, don't be surprised to see your child anxiously marking days of their calendar until they're able to pick up the latest addition to their collection. Below are some new releases for this week, and if it's the newest book in a series, encourage your child to start from the beginning.

Kids

-The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers Book 1: The Medusa Plot by Gordan Korman

This book is the first in what seems to be an imaginatively popular series.

-Llama Llama Home With Mama by Anna Dewdney

Your young child will laugh at these fun-to-read rhymes, and you can keep them engaged with other books from this series.

-Wildwood: The Wildwood Chronicles, Book 1 by Colin Meloy

A wonder-filled adventure of danger, magic, and secret worlds, Wildwood is the tale of a boy who finds himself while on the search for his missing brother.

-The Boy With the Pink Hair by Perez Hilton

A boy born with pink hair?! This book looks at self-acceptance and appreciating differences from a very early age.

-America is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell (Actual Times) by Don Brown

This book relives the fateful day America was attacked in a way that is accessible and understandable for readers too young to remember these events.

Teens

-Percy Jackson and the Olympus by Rick Riordan

Finally this series is available in the long-awaited 5-book set. Boasting all the popular adventures from The Lightening Thief, to The Last Olympians, this series is a great starter for your child.

-Never Have I Ever (The Lying Game Series #2) by Sara Shepard

An addictive tale about secrets, lies, and killer consequences. The Lying Game is a series about an unknown twin living as her sister to solve her murder.

-Witch and Wizard: The Gift (Book 2) by James Patterson

Wisty and Whit are siblings who realize they have magical powers which they use to escape once they are arrested by the New Order. Begin with the first installment, and your child will be pining away for the third installment due out in December.

-13 Gifts by Wendy Mass

Tara is sent to Willow Falls the summer of her 13th birthday. Big things are in store when she realizes Willow Falls isn't your typical town.

Current News-Week One

One way to keep your child actively involved in reading throughout the year is to let them read the news as it pertains to them. The more interested children are in what they read, the easier it will become to make reading a habit. Before you know it, your child will no longer look at reading as a chore, but an enjoyable part of their everyday routine. Each week we will provide a list of new articles that will connect your child to important topics in their world. Have your child read these articles, and discuss the significance with them. The more they are able to understand the world around them, the more intrigued they will be in reading about it. Here are this week's articles:

1. President Obama gives back-to-school interview to kids.

The President may be a busy guy, but not too much so for the Scholastic Kid Reporters.

2. Education Dept. Unveils Resource Page for Teaching 9/11

A new web page created to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 will give a more in depth look at teaching the younger generation about the effects this event has had on our nation. It will cover all aspects, from analyzing the attacks to recognizing its unsung heroes.

3. Teachers Take Note: Advice from Students on How to Improve Schools

Your child will really love this one. The article unveils the impact your child can have on their school when their voice gets heard.

4. Needed: Parent Volunteers in Schools

Parents juggle demanding work schedules, after-school activities, and a plethora of other ever-present to-dos. But if you want your child to listen as you stress the importance of education, being active in their school is a great place to start.

5. 8 Ways to Handle the New School Year

We're only a week in, and regardless of all the planning, you and your child are already feeling overwhelmed. These tips will be just as beneficial for them as they will be for you.

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.

Week Four Suggested Reading

It turns out "Rapunzel was actually an awesome heroine who had a feisty temperament and tenacity. Shannon Hale, a Newbery Award-winning children's book author, has teamed up with her husband, Dean, to write Rapunzel's Revenge, which turns the original Brothers Grimm tale on its ear. They brought in the help of talented illustrator Nathan Hale (no relation) for help fleshing out the story". We guarantee that this book will turn even the oldest of audiences into giddy children flipping through the beautifully illustrated pages. Go and get your copy before the library runs out!

Kindergarten: Goodnight Little Monster by Marshall Cavendish

1st: Let’s Do Nothing by Tony Fucile

2nd: Theodore by Frank Keating

3rd: Matilda by Roald Dahl

4th: Beauty and the Beast by Max Eilenberg

5th: Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale

6th: Operation Redwood by S. Terrell French

7th: The Sign of the Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

8th: Beastly by Alex Flinn

Week Three "Ten Minute Truth"

Kindergarten Parents:
A recent article written by Ellen H. Parlapiano reveals our truth for this week. She discusses what teachers expect from their incoming kindergarten students. One of her five listed expectations includes that children have basic number and letter recognition. Parlapiano states: "Kindergarten teachers believe that it is their responsibility to teach kids letter sounds and how to write, but they do hope incoming students can recognize most letters by sight." Straight from the teacher's mouth- start early to ensure your child is up to speed with their alphabet. This week, review the Alphabet Word Box Games in the workbook with your child.

Parents with children in 1st-8th grades:
Our truth this week is somewhat piggy-backing on last week's, yet this time it's more about what your child can do for themselves, rather than what you can do to help them prepare for testing. The truth of the matter is, you're not going to be around to assist them in their academic ventures forever- they need to learn to take initiative on their own. Part of their responsibility will be ensuring they understand the practice questions they will encounter on the EOG. To re-familiarize themselves with the types of questions that will be asked, ask them to complete the following practice test sections:

1. Multiple Choice Practice Questions
2. Fill in the Blank Practice Questions
3. Oral Practice Questions
4. Short Answer Practice Questions
5. Choose a Picture Practice Questions

Week Three Suggested Reading

We're back this week with a whole new list of books for your children to enjoy! One of our favorite's this week is "Look to the Stars" by Buzz Aldrin. We love the way Good Reads describes it: "As one of a handful of astronauts to have walked on the moon, Buzz Aldrin has a unique perspective of space. He serves as an amazing guide as he introduces us to the pioneers of space. From Copernicus to the Wright brothers, from the Apollo program to dreams of future travel, he reminds us that mankind has always looked to the stars." We think that this would be a great book for you and your child to read together seeing that the space program is being shut down. You can talk with your child about the current event as you read and gaze at the "beautifully detailed illustrations by renowned illustrator Wendell Minor." Enjoy!

Kindergarten: LMNO Peas by Keith Baker

1st: A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker

2nd: Princess K.I.M. and the Lie That Grew by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

3rd: Look to the Stars by Buzz Aldrin

4th: Ribsy by Beverly Cleary

5th: George Washington Carver by Tonya Bolden

6th: Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman

7th: Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

8th: Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet by Erin Dionne

The news, in kid-friendly language

We just came across this awesome article on one of the RSS feeds we follow about a new website that contains news stories in a kid-friendly format:

"Kids love reading about what’s happening in their world. But so often, the newspaper is full of inappropriate and difficult articles. Teaching Kids News (TKN) is a sister website to Getting Kids Reading. They offer kid-friendly news articles, taken from the headlines of real newspapers.

One of the great things about TKN is that kids can read the articles themselves and parents don’t have to worry that they’ll be exposed to scary stories or inappropriate language. However, TKN doesn’t shy away from the hard news. They've covered the Japan earthquake, the ousters in the Middle East and hockey violence. Of course, they’ve also presented stories on undiscovered tribes, Justin Bieber and Harry Potter.

TKN uses kid-friendly language and a ton of context to explain ideas that adults tend to know automatically, but which would be new to most kids. Thousands of teachers and home-schoolers use TKN every day because each article includes “curriculum connections” to create an instant lesson plan.

During the school year TKN offers daily news articles; in the summer they present weekly articles, and there are more than 150 great articles in our archives. This week’s article is about some new 3-D photos of the Titanic. Very cool."

Your child being in the "know" regarding current events and world issues will help shape their future as a leader. Reading the news daily will not only allow them to work on their reading skills but in the long run will help them stand out among their peers. We at Healthy Start Academy encourage you to get your kids excited about learning whats going on in the world and we feel Teaching Kids the News is an excellent resource for doing so.

Week Two "Ten Minute Truth"

Along with posting the weekly reading list on the blog every Monday, we will also be publishing short ten minute activities that you as parents can do with or without your child to further their educational experience.

Kindergarten Parents:
This week we would like you to focus on your child's developmental skills. Sometimes as parents we're not quite sure if our children are growing and learning at the correct speed. By the time your son or daughter enters kindergarten, The Clearinghouse on Early Education and Parenting (CEEP) suggests they should have these Kindergarten Entry Skills. The truth here is that the development of these entry factors will not only allow for a better transition into schooling for your child but also prepare them for the years to come.

To aid in the construction of your young child's developmental skills review the Beginning Sound Menu Games on pgs. 235-241. For even more practice with these skills, head on over to KidZone where you can print out worksheets on learning letter sounds. These entertaining sheets provide letter recognition, phonics and printing practice!

Parents with children in 1st-8th grades:
As you know, 3rd-8th graders are required to take End of Grade (EOG) Tests at the conclusion of each school year. The tests are designed to measure student performance on the goals, objectives, and grade-level competencies specified in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

The truth here is that it is extremely important f0r your children to start preparing for these tests early. They not only determine if your child is eligible to move on to the next grade, but their scores also help teachers to decide what classes would best suit them (which eventually determine the path of their educational career). Below are suggestions we put together to aid in the preparation for these sorts of tests!

Test Taking Tips-How to Prepare Your Child for Standardized Testing
1. Preparing all year round-Provide enriching experiences
2. Read aloud with your child (this helps foster a positive attitude toward reading)
3. Share experiences-Do activities with your child that build necessary test-taking skills (ex: create a map of your neighborhood)
4. Become informed about your state’s testing procedures
5. Help your child know what to expect (discuss tips with your child from their summer workbook)
6. Help your child with his or her regular school assignments
7. Keep in regular contact with your child’s teacher (attend teacher-parent conferences and PTO meetings)
8. Learn to use the computer as an educational resource

Pssst! On the North Carolina Public Schools website, you can find practice tests for each grade.

Week Two Suggested Reading

We hope that everyone had a great weekend! Below are the books we recommend for each grade to read this week. One of our all time favorites is "How to Eat Fried Worms." Who couldn't love the classic story about a new student being dared to eat worms and eventually changing the balance of power in his 5th grade class? It will be hard for your child to put any of these books down once they start reading!

Kindergarten: Are You My Mother? By P. D. Eastman

1st: The Quilt Keeping by Patricia Polacco

2nd: Chicken Man by Michelle Edwards

3rd: The Artic; The Desert; The Ocean; The Rain Forest by Alan Baker

4th: How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell

5th: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate Dicamillo

6th: The Danger Box by Blue Balliet

7th: The Postcard by Tony Abbott

8th: The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

QR Codes- Scavenger Hunts for Reluctant Readers

Are you asking yourself what the heck QR codes are? You've seen them, they're the small barcodes with hidden messages that are popping up on TV ads, marketing materials and even fast food containers- anyone with a cellphone can crack them. With the free iPhone and Android app called "RedLaser" you can scan a square and in seconds its secret message will be divulged. A blog we follow, Getting Kids Reading, had the great idea of incorporating these barcodes into a scavenger hunt for your children! You can create your own message here- it can be as simple as "Look under your bed". Hide clues all over the house, give your child a mobile phone and watch their eyes light up! Visit this link to read the original blog post and learn more about the scavenger hunt idea!

If you’ve never tried reading a QR code before, download the app and try this we made up! Cheers to being the "cool" parent who knows about technology;)

Motivate your child to complete their workbooks...

...without having a nervous breakdown yourself!

Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller from NewsForParents.org put together an informative list of tips to encourage your child to complete their school work. Enjoy!

1. Eliminate the word homework from your vocabulary. Replace it with the word study. Have a study time instead of a homework time. Have a study table instead of a homework table. This word change alone will go a long way towards eliminating the problem of your child saying, "I don't have any homework." Study time is about studying, even if you don't have any homework. It's amazing how much more homework kids have when they have to study regardless of whether they have homework or not.

1. 
   2. Establish a study routine. This needs to be the same time every day. Let your children have some input on when study time occurs. Once the time is set, stick to that schedule.

Kids thrive on structure even as they protest. It may take several weeks for the routine to become a habit. Persist. By having a regular study time you are demonstrating that you value education.

3. Keep the routine predictable and simple. One possibility includes a five minute warning that study time is approaching, bringing their current activity to an end, clearing the study table, emptying their back pack of books and supplies, then beginning.

4. Allow children to make choices about homework and related issues. They could choose to do study time before or after dinner. They could do it immediately after they get home or wake up early in the morning to do it. Invite them to choose the kitchen table or a spot in their own room. One choice children do not have is whether or not to study.

5. Help without 0ver-functioning. Only help if your child asks for it. Do not do problems or assignments for children. When your child says, "I can't do it," suggest they act as is they can. Tell them to pretend like they know and see what happens. Then leave the immediate area and let them see if they can handle it form there. If they keep telling you they don't know how and you decide to offer help, concentrate on asking than on telling.
*Ask:
"What do you get?"
"What parts do you understand?"
"Can you give me an example?"
"What do you think the answer is?"
"How could you find out?"

6. If you want a behavior you have to teach a behavior. Disorganization is a problem for many school age children. If you want them to be organize you have to invest the time to help them learn an organizational system. Your job is to teach them the system. Their job is to use it. Yes, check occasionally to see if they system is being used. Check more often at first. Provide direction and correction where necessary. If your child needs help with time management, teach them time management skills. Help them learn what it means to prioritize by importance and due date of each task. Teach them to create an agenda each time they sit down to study. Help them experience the value of getting the important things done first.

7. Use study time to get some of your own responsibilities handled. Use study time to get some of your own responsibilities handled. Do the dished, fold laundry or write thank you notes. Keep the TV off! If you engage in fun or noisy activities during that time children will naturally be distracted. Study time is a family commitment. If you won't commit to it, don't expect that your children will.

Side note from Healthy Start: If all else fails, bribe them with the Walmart gift card they will receive if they bring their completed workbooks on their first day back to school- August 25th;) Just kidding, but seriously...

Completed Workbooks: Rewarding in more ways than one!

That's right! If your child brings their completed workbook back to school on August 25th (first day classes start back- mark your calenders!) they will receive a Walmart gift card. Help your child avoid the "summer slide" by encouraging them to complete the assigned weekly workbook pages- who ever said bribing didn't work was crazy ;)!

To make it easier on you busy parents we will be sending reminder postcards every week with the assigned material- they will have a colorful picture from one of our students each week- you cant miss 'em!. We'll also be posting the workbook portions on this blog so stay tuned for updates! If you're afraid you won't remember to check back to this page you can subscribe via email (top right of the page) and you'll receive the post in your inbox as soon as its published. Whew! That is THREE ways we are going to be communicating with you about your children's workbooks- they are THAT important!

We promise that if your child puts in the time this summer they will not only have a "healthy start" for next year, but also for the rest of their academic career. Thank you so much for allowing these summer workbooks to be a reality- together we can push your Healthy Start Academy student to realizing their greatest potential!

Part of reading is understanding the words...

As adults and excellent readers, we sometimes forget about the complexities of understanding a sentence. For example, you must know the definition of every word, understand what part of speech it is, grasp what tense it is in, etc. When children lack knowledge in any of these areas, their reading ability suffers. Below are some exciting games that will help your child build their vocabulary and improve both their grammar and spelling.

Grammar

• Grammar Gorillas will help your child better understand nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, interjections, prepositions, conjunctions and pronouns by asking them to find them in different sentences.
• The classic game of MadLibs allows your children to make funny stories by inserting different parts of speech. It will ask your child to choose a random noun, adjective, etc. from a group and then will put it in an entertaining story they can share with the whole family!

Vocabulary/Spelling

• Scramble Saurus will not only test your child's vocabulary but also their spelling skills. The game gives your child a word (with the letters scrambled) and its definition (with the words scrambled). The object of the game is to decode the clue and then eventually the word- spelling it correctly in order to move on.
• Spell Check challenges your child to find the misspelled word out of a group of four and then spell it correctly in the provided box.
• The game of Hang Mouse (a kid-friendly Hangman) first asks your child to pick a category (anywhere from animals to US States) and then produces a hangman game for them. This will allow them to practice their spelling while learning new vocabulary from the different categories all while not trying not to wake the cat! *this game has GREAT categories to choose from!

Technology taking over? I don't mind...

It sometimes feels as though everything is becoming electronic now-a-days. We can read books via our tablets, buy anything we desire in less than 5 minutes on the web- and now, teach our kids to read via an iPhone application? Apple has already developed hundreds of educational phone applications specifically for children. For example, the new "See Read Say" application for the iPhone, iTouch, and iPad allows your children to practice their reading while you run your errands!

Don't have an Apple product? No worries! All smart phones have an Application store (for Droid's its called the Marketplace) where you can purchase similar educational software. With an average cost of less than $2.00, start downloading applications today and your child will never be bored during your daily errand running again!

Great eBook Website!

Reading isn't always the most exciting past time for our children but Silly Books makes it fun! From music, animated stories that your child can read along to, puzzles, games and contests, prepare for your child to never want to leave the site.

One thing we thought was particularly unique about this website is that they have hand drawn illustrations for many of the books. After your child reads one of Silly Book's stories, encourage them to create and illustrate a story of their own!

Helping Struggling Readers

Did you know that learning to read is a challenge for almost 40 percent of kids? The good news is that with early help, most reading problems can be prevented. The bad news is that 44 percent of parents who notice their child having trouble wait a year or more before getting help. Unfortunately, the older a child is, the more difficult it is to teach him or her to read. The window of opportunity closes early for most kids. If a child can't read well by the end of third grade, odds are that he or she will never catch up. And the effects of falling behind and feeling like a failure can be devastating.

Visit Reading Rockets to browse FAQs, explore resources that will help you understand what to do if your child is struggling reading, and to read related articles to this topic.

Time to launch off to Reading Planet?

This morning we stumbled across a great website called "Reading Planet" (http://www.rif.org/kids/readingplanet.htm). The creators of the website strive to motivate young children to read by working with them, their parents and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life. On the site you will find a "Game Station" as well as "Book Center" where kids can watch and listen to animated stories! With their plethora of reading activities, Reading Planet will hopefully spark the imagination of your child and encourage them to read daily.