1. Suggestions for Parents to Work with Their Children During the Holidays

2. Read for Pleasure Students have the chance to put away school books are read for fun so whether they want to read a holiday classic like The Night Before Christmas or The latest installment of his/her favorite series. This is the perfect time for pleasure reading. Encourage relatives to give books for holiday gifts. Or Gather in front of a fire as a family and take turns reading!

3. Cook Up and Easy Lesson As you are cooking your favorite dishes Invite your children into the kitchen to help Whether you are making Christmas cookies Or potato pancakes All the half-tablespoons and quarter-cup measurements Are great practice for fractions!!!

4. Write Thank-You Notes Writing Thank You Notes for Gifts Received Teaches Appreciation for Gifts And Helps Reinforce Spelling and Writing Skills!! Note: A cup of hot cocoa makes this task more festive!!

5. Thank You Note Website Help http://www.greetingcardpoet.com/thank-you- card-messages/ http://www.thank-you-note-examples-and- tips.com/thank-you-words.html http://www.thank-you-note-examples-and- tips.com/thank-you-words.html http://www.thank-you-notes.com/thank-you- phrases.html http://www.thank-you-notes.com/thank-you- phrases.html

6. Make the Most of Car Rides Turn long drives into the chance To….. Practice Letters and Numbers by: Looking for license plates from different states Try to find the alphabet on the license plates Or count the number of red (or white or green) cars you see Really any game to keep the kids counting, reading or recognizing the letters.

7. Maintain Reasonable Bedtimes With no school, it’s tempting to let the kids stay up late… A few days before school starts again, ease back into the regular bedtime schedule So the kids will be rested and bright-eyed when school starts again!

8. Ask for Grocery List Assistance Have your child help choose what to buy. Have your children help determine you much money you will need to purchase the items on the list. Have the kids help check what items are already present in the house and use the process of elimination when deciding what needs to be purchased. Have the children write or draw the grocery list. Get the kids to help clip and sort coupons for items on the list.

9. Let the Kids Help with Online Shopping Need a last minute gift? Log onto your favorite shopping sites and let your child help you select the present. This helps children work on their computer and research skills. Note: for a little older students a discussion about the importance of safe use of personally identifiable information online could be started.

10. Have a Family Game Night Many of Your Family’s Favorite Games Reinforce skills such as: COUNTING, READING and DRAWING Gather the group to play games you don’t usually have time for on School Nights!!

11. Websites with Printable Activities for Parents to Use. http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/free- printable/math-printables/geometrically-speaking- crossword-puzzle http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/free- printable/math-printables/geometrically-speaking- crossword-puzzle http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/collection/ more-printables/printables-prek-k http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/collection/ more-printables/printables-prek-k http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/collection/ more-printables/printables-6th-8th-grade http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/collection/ more-printables/printables-6th-8th-grade http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/collection/ more-printables/printables-1st-2nd-grade http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/collection/ more-printables/printables-1st-2nd-grade