Description:
Research shows that parent participation is a leading component of school success. For many parents this may sound like a mandate to spend more time poring over homework assignments or squeezing in extra home tutoring. Yet the best way to "participate" in a child's learning, according to educator and author Jennifer Richard Jacobson, is for parents to pay close attention to a child's interests, strengths, and weaknesses and then offer spontaneous and playful interactions that enhance a child's confidence and skills. Having extensively researched the academic and social demands of a typical third grader, Jacobson's How Is My Third Grader Doing in School? offers chapters on reading, writing, and math expectations, as well as numerous ideas for how parents can help children in these basic arenas. Each chapter ends with ideas that take five minutes as well as a few that take more time. Concepts such as cause and effect can be discussed while driving in the car: "What do you suppose caused those bushes to grow that way?" Or, "Why do you think there's a traffic jam here?" A longer time commitment might involve playing a game of chess or even helping your child perform a play with some friends. Aside from being a wealth of excellent (and totally manageable) ideas, Jacobson offers suggestions for working with a child's teacher and tips for observing a child in the classroom. Each book in this series comes with a brief assessment booklet, so parents can evaluate children's abilities in a low-stress home environment. --Gail Hudson
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