Reading Practice -Grades 3-6 - with Audio Version

Give your child a chance to ask questions "on the job."

Search for the basic food groups on trips to the grocery store. Keep track of the food groups presented at each meal. Are there any frequently missing from the table?

Take a nature walk and examine the variety of plant and animal life along the trail. Suggested by Tim McDonnell, teacher Victor Middle School

Do your children beg for a particular brand? Do a blind taste test and compare the results!

Experiment with seeds planted in a liter container. What kinds of things help them grow?

What's the weather today and how does it affect me? Look into some suggestions for younger and older children relating to the weather.

Try to create a chemical reaction of your own with this recipe for Play Dough!

Interview community members to gain knowledge about peoples' careers.

Visit the local Fire Department's Open House to discuss safety issues. Check out Boater Safety or Hunter Safety courses offered in the community.

For children who like to stretch their imagination in the kitchen.

Your child may have conflict in the cafeteria, on the bus, in gym class, or at piano lessons. Write up potential situations and have the family act out solutions.

Help your child examine problems in the workplace and possible solutions.

Use situations in the family as a stepping stone to solving real world problems.

Guess the cost for one week of school lunches. Then compare the cost of putting together your favorite brown bag varieties. What did you find out?

Make a plan for the family to identify needs and propose solutions.

Focus on fire prevention and other safety issues in your home. Does your child know what to do in case of emergency?

Look at the evening sky and identify some of the stars. Select an activity to do back in the house such as roleplaying a job on a rocket to the stars. Use the Internet as a resource to search for frequently asked questions about stars.

Family recipes have been handed down through generations. Is there any way you and your child can alter the recipes to make them healthier?

It's time to have a heart to heart talk about issues that could make a life and death difference.

Give your child an opportunity to interview relatives and community members.

Use this real world opportunity to plan the amount of space, the type of seeds, the cost of the production, etc. with your child. Enjoy the "fruits" of your labor!

Practice using coins and dollars to make change for "customers" in a gas station.

Practice banking skills by depositing and withdrawing at home!

For two weeks your family will compile a list of all the Native American influences in food, clothing, jewelry, furniture, etc. Submitted by Denise Green, Phelps-Clifton school