Description:
Children from all backgrounds are happier and get better grades when their parents take an active role in their learning. "Contrary to popular belief, or even your own instincts, this involvement becomes even more important as your child gets older," according to educator and author Jennifer Richard Jacobson. Yet finding the time for extra teaching seems impossible considering most fourth graders' after-school activities and social needs. Jacobson's "How Is My Fourth Grader Doing in School?" is full of suggestions for enhancing school success that have nothing to do with extra tutoring. Instead, she offers ideas for creating informal, playful interactions that stem from the time parents already have with their fourth graders. Better than "teachable" moments (which often translate into parent lectures), Jacobson's suggestions enhance intimacy and creative thinking. As she covers the basic academic demands of fourth grade--reading, writing, and math--she suggests activities that take five minutes or less as well as ideas that take a longer time commitment. For example, if your daughter is passionate about softball but needs a little math boosting, ask her to figure out her own batting average. Or help your son design a maze for his pet gerbil, boosting his geometric thinking. She concludes the books with advice on working with teachers and getting the most out of school conferences. An in-home skill assessment booklet comes with every book, offering a low-stress evaluation for parent information. --Gail Hudson
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