Parent+Resources

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**#1 Q uestion Asked by Parents:** How can I help my child become better at reading and writing? =====

**Answer:** **Read....a lot! **

Reading helps students improve in many ways, not just in reading! A good reader becomes a good writer, because they see constant examples of well-written text. A good reader becomes a good problem-solver, because they learn to infer clues and "read between the lines" from the story. These types of skills carry over to other subjects as well, such as math and science. The list goes on and on.

We read every day in class for this reason. In fact, it's a requirement that students bring a book to class with them every day. It can come from the library, home, borrowed from my class library, anywhere...as long as they are reading!

It's also important students read at home too (at least 20 minutes a night). Students often tell me that they don't have time with all their other activities and homework from other classes, but it's important to make time and here's why:




 * Here are some more helpful links and resources to help you stay involved in your child's learning: **

=__Access to the Gradebook__= TxConnect is our online grade book. It's a terrific source because you can set it up to receive email alerts any time your child has missing work or low grades! You can access our online grade book by contacting the school to request a student portal ID code to access their online grade book. You will have to pick up the portal ID code in person at the front office. Once you have the portal ID code, you can then follow the instructions on the PISD website to register as a new user. The link to register is: []

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The online grade book is a great way to be informed on your child's progress in all his classes. You can set alerts to be emailed to you when your student receives a low grade or has missing work. It will even keep track of absences and tardies for you! At KLMS, we suggest sitting down with your student each week to review their grades and then have them follow-up with their teachers themselves. This helps to foster important skills like responsibility and taking ownership in their own learning. ====== = = = Below are several articles and links to help answer questions you might have about being a new middle school parent, helping your student to become a better reader and more: =

=__Online Articles__= "9 Things Teachers Wish Parents Knew" "Moving Up to Middle School" written by the National PTO (Familyeducation.com) "Making the Transition" by Scholastic.com [|"7 Ways to Increase Your Child's Success in School"] "Organizing Your Boy: Getting Your Guy Through Middle School" [|"How to Get Your Kid to Be a Fanatic Reader"] (also see [|ReadKiddoRead.com] for more tips on how to help your child become a great reader)

= __Gifted Education__  = Resources for Gifted Students "Smart Solutions for Gifted Kids" --online article National Association of Gifted Children Vanderbilt Program for Talented Youth--one of the top G/T programs/camps in the nation! They have strict requirements, but it is truly an amazing program.