Dear Hyman Fine Families,
Thank you to the PTO, HFES staff, and all the families that joined us Wednesday evening for Family BINGO Night. It was so much fun having families in the building enjoying time together.
If you're like MOST people, when your student arrives home you ask, "how was your day?" If you're ever curious about how to get more out of your child, scan this article and perhaps the conversations will begin to flow and become more fruitful!
Valentine's Day Classroom Celebrations - Classrooms may celebrate Valentine's Day. In keeping with the HFES food and allergy policies we ask you please do do not send in candy.
February
6 - 100th Day of School 1st grade parade
17 - Early Release Day (Staff Professional Development)
20-24 - No School - Winter Break
Cole Weather fun/Ideas:
This time of year, it’s natural for children and families to be spending a little more time inside. While we fully encourage outdoor fun when possible, this colder weather brings an opportunity to focus on some cozy games that will captivate and motivate your child and promote their learning at the same time! Please see some suggestions below:
Board Games that use Math
Addition, Subtraction, and Counting Skills
- Connect Four (7+)
Sorry! (6+)
Trouble (5+)
Hungry Hungry Hippos (4+)
Pay Day (8+)
Uno (6+)
Spot the Dots - Addition (6+)
Sum Swamp - Addition and Subtraction (5+)
Patterns, Attributes, Shapes, and Geometry
- Crazy Eights (4+)
Guess Who? (6+)
Rummikub (8+)
Category 5 (8+)
Tangrams
Jigsaw Puzzles
Strategy, Reasoning, and Spatial Perception
Board Games to Practice Math Facts
Yahtzee – This classic dice game from Milton Bradley combines luck and strategy. Players practice sequencing, critical thinking skills, and addition and multiplication facts.
Bunco – A game entirely based on chance, rather than strategy, Bunco can provide a lot of educational fun for even very small children. The object of the game is to collect points for rolling certain combinations of dice. Keeping score can help to practice basic addition, and regularly calculating how many points are needed to reach the goal of 21 can be encouraged as a way to practice subtraction facts.
Phase 10 Dice Game – The Phase 10 Dice Game by Fundex Games uses a unique set of 10 dice, numbered 1 through 12. Players move through each phase of the game by achieving the sequence of dice noted for each level. The game requires strategy, teaches sequencing and patterns, and provides plenty of opportunities for practicing addition and multiplication facts. The rules can easily be modified with an easier system of score-keeping for younger players. Phase 10 is a fun, affordable (less than $10) game that works well for single and multiple players.
Sum Swamp – This fun and engaging game from Learning Resources is the winner of the Oppenheim best toy award. Kids practice addition and subtraction math facts by rolling the dice and adding and subtracting their way around the swamp, getting caught in the loop and hoping for a land on the Crocodile Short Cut. Recommended for ages 5+.
Monopoly and Monopoly Junior – This classic board game by Hasbro Games now comes in so many versions it's hard not to find the perfect fit for any game lover! Monopoly provides endless opportunities for adding, subtracting, estimating, and general wheeling and dealing. Choose Monopoly Junior for simpler rules and smaller bills – a great option for younger children.
Questions to Ask Your Child About Their Reading
Talking to your children about the books they read is one of the best ways to support your child’s literacy development. Your child needs to engage in critical thinking to discuss a book — a key skill for success in school as well as life. Here are some tips on how to start and sustain a book discussion with your child:
Before your child reads a book, ask:
Why did you select this book?
What makes you think this book is going to be interesting?
What do you think the book is going to be about?
Does this book remind you of anything else you’ve already read or seen?
What kind of characters do you think will be in the book?
What do you think is going to happen?
While your child is reading a book, try asking:
Will you catch me up on the story? What’s happened so far?
What do you think will happen next?
If you were that character, what would you have done differently in that situation?
Where is the book set?
If the main character in that story lived next door, would you be friends?
What does the place look like in your head as you read? Would you want to visit there?
Have you learned any new words or facts so far?
After your child has finished a book, ask questions like:
What was your favorite part of the book? Why?
Who was your favorite character? Why?
What was the most interesting thing you learned from the book?
Why do you think the author wrote this book?
Would you have ended the book differently? Did it end the way you thought it would?
Did the problem of the book’s plot get solved?
If you could change one thing in the book, what would it be?
Have a great week,
Noah Collins
Principal
