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Volume 1, Issue 1

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PROJECTS FOR PARENTS AND KIDS
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Math at Home
Super Sums
Use only the 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 6s, and aces (1s) from a deck of cards. Each player writes the numbers 1-12 on a piece of paper. Then each player picks two cards and adds up the numbers on them. The player can mark off that the sum on the paper or cross off the two numbers on the cards. Who will be first to cross off all 12 numbers on the list?
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/newsletter/math/math001.shtml

Backpack-tivity
In a Million Words or Fewer
You and your child each write separate descriptions of your child --then see what you learned from each other.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/homework/pdfs/backpacktivity_001.pdf

Reader's Theater: Scripts for Reading Aloud
Special Assignment
Zoe Brown is unhappy. She thinks her teacher gave her the most boring topic for her computer class's Web site project. When Zoe starts her research, she finds an unusual online source that provides her with important -- possibly life-saving -- information.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/reading/ReadersTheater/ReadersTheater020.shtml

Web Site of the Week
Animaland
This site, brought to you by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, offers news, interactive games, contests, and information on taking care of your pets.
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=kids_home

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EDUCATION/PARENTING NEWS
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PARENTS' TIP OF THE WEEK
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ABCs of Student Success
A is for Attendance
Attendance is a critical factor in any child's school success. Children should attend school every day, except in cases of illness or emergency. It is impossible to replace the learning that happens on any school day with make-up work. Regular attendance and promptness are good habits that are expected and appreciated at all levels of schooling and in the workplace. This year, make school a priority in your household. Commit to excellence in attendance. Your child's future depends on it!

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PARENTS AS PARTNERS
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Ways parents can work with schools to improve student achievement and motivation.

Parent Involvement
Teachers, Parents, Kids Bond Over Books
Inviting parents -- and sometimes students -- to participate in a book discussion group with teachers has led to better relationships between teachers and parents and a deeper understanding of current education and child-rearing issues.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin486.shtml

Partners for Student Success
Community Finds Happiness in Clowns
Each year, teachers at Machen Elementary School in Hampton, Virginia, host an event that involves all of the non-core courses -- such as art, music, and physical education. A production the play Clowns would not have been possible without parent volunteers.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/partners/partners019.shtml

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TALKING WITH THE EXPERTS
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Interviews with educators about today's hot topics in education.

Wire Side Chat
A Framework for Raising Well-Balanced Children
Children may be pampered with a plethora of gadgets, but they are not nurtured in a way that helps them develop into responsible and caring citizens, argues Dr. Peter L. Benson. All segments of society must commit to children's well being, he argues.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/chat/chat195.shtml

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LIFESTYLE
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Technology and Kids
Technology Trends Inching Toward Schools
Schools may be the last place where kids rely on the same old technologies their parents did -- paper and pencils. The rest of their lives are driven and shaped by technology. Educators and parents still need to steer kids toward safe and responsible technology use.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lifestyle/lifestyle/lifestyle007.shtml

Cooking With Joy
Welcome to a New Approach to Cooking
Tired of pizza, take-out Chinese food, and the cupboard is bare? Relax. You may only think it is bare. Sixth-grade teacher and foodie Joy Rotondi outlines how she plans to show readers how to create quick, tasty meals with what is on hand.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/columnists/joy/joy001.shtml

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Sincerely, Ellen Delisio, SchoolNotes Home editor and LifeStyle staff

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Education World®
http://www.educationworld.com/
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