1. Read all information for the the Reading or English classes early. Get started on outside reading right away before the homework or after school activity load becomes too large. Call if you need or want to set up some tutoring or reading time for you child during the school year.
2. Many students are going on to new schools this year and will need extra help from you with managing their time. Help them make and stick to a study schedule.
3. No assigned homework does not mean no homework. If students take about 20 minutes each night to read over ALL notes taken in class or talk with a parent (one class at a time) and explain what was taught that day, they will be reviewing and recalling information which is a great study technique.
4. Remember that one of the best ways to retain information is to review it. Have your students make NOTE CARDS for all subjects every night or on weekends and then review the cards with them at any time even in the car. This is a great study technique. Stock up on index cards while they are on sale.
5. Accelerating the reading of novels seems to be working for all of the students in helping them comprehend and remember the details of the novels read. In other words, they need to continue reading at least one complete chapter at a sitting for reading. They need to read more pages at a time instead of just a few every day and they will do better.
6. Search picture rebuses to find great brain teasers for the entire family to have fun with. It is great for teaching inference and paying attention to details.
7. Type in Mysterynet in google or yahoo and go to several sites for great short mysteries to solve. This is great brain exercise and fun for a rainy day.
8. On Tuesday nights go to the Travel Channel and watch "Mysteries at the Museum". This is a great program for learning some history and much more.