Feeding our brain over winter break

Winter break is a wonderful time to unwind, relax, and enjoy our family and friends.  It is also important to find our balance and remember to feed our minds as well.  Please help your child by encouraging them to do some of the following activities during the 2 weeks away from school:

• Xtramath.org (every day a student does Xtramath they earn 1 pt extra credit toward their next math test)
• Study Island- Students have log-in and password information in their binders
• Word games- Scrabble, Bananagrams, Crosswords, Charades, Boggle, etc.
• Math games- multiplication/division war, card games, number puzzles
• If you are traveling or have out of town guests coming in, use this as an opportunity to discuss the states.  Second semester students will need to learn their 50 states and capitals.  Learning this information is much easier if it has relevance to their own lives.
• Have children write their own thank you notes- Encourage use of the 5 parts of a letter and cursive. Also have them address their own envelopes.  These are skills we've been working on this year.  
• Most importantly, encourage students to make time to enjoy good books for at least 20 min. each day over break.  

I hope you have a peaceful break filled with love, laughter, and time with one another.  I look forward to starting 2013 with all of you on Monday, January 7th.