# data[].attributes.headline
Information on cultivating at home parent learning partnerships

# data[].attributes.subject
Information on cultivating at home parent learning partnerships

# data[].attributes.body
Welcome to this collage of resources to help you understand a little more about the importance of bringing the education your child is getting back into your home as well.
Reinforcing and encouraging the concepts your child is learning in school in your everyday home life is key to your child's development, and will help them flourish not only in the classroom but also in their daily lives.

# data[].attributes.body
It can be difficult to actively bring school in to your home, especially on busy weeknights and weekends. But extending the learning experience into the home will make a positive impact on your child for the rest of their life.
Here are some resources and ideas for how to get home learning partnerships started

# data[].attributes.body
There are always going to be barriers between perfect school-home partnerships, such as miscommunication, forgotten homework/projects or forgotten permission slips.
This is where communication is key! Be sure to always check your child's take-home folder every night, and i suggest if you forget to just pop a post-it note reminder in your house somewhere you will see often.
The absence of parent-teacher consistency is another barrier faced in the classroom. The best method to overcome this is by developing a parent-teacher relationship and letting the teacher know what rules/behaviors you are implementing at home so that I can reinforce them at school.

# data[].attributes.body
Read out loud as a family regularly! This positively impacts language development, and you get a chance to bond as you read through the story together.
Here I have attached a third grade read aloud chapter books list that will provide you many options, or read your children the book series' you loved as a child!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Read aloud chapter books for 3rd grade

Watching my students' faces light up when they are hanging on every word of a read aloud is my jam. Is there anything better than visually seeing a child's love of reading right in front of your eyes?! Kids do not outgrow read alouds. Have you ever listened to an audiobook? Millions of people listen to audiobooks as adults and love it - why would a kid not love hearing a story as well? There is no reason NOT to do a read aloud with older students!

Students are bombarded everyday with technology, loud noises, and flashing colors. Hearing a book aloud allows children to be more than a passive viewer, but an active participant. They visualize the story in their mind. The grapple with a particular feeling the book creates. Reading aloud leads to higher-level thinking that are necessary for adulthood.

Below I discuss what I believe are the BEST read aloud chapter books for 3rd-grade. Are they truly the best? Well, no! I am sharing what are my personal favorite read aloud chapter books for 3rd-grade, and which ones in experience have gone over well. I also answer some questions that teachers often ask regarding read alouds. Keep reading to find out!

What are the benefits of reading aloud to older students?

Students will gain the benefits of hearing language and vocabulary, as well as getting an exposure to a new author or genre. Hearing the spoken language and the correct pauses on a comma or period is positively impacting a student and their language development. Read alouds also improve fluency for students, which is something that often suffers in older grades as we move away from guided reading.
Many of us (well- maybe all of us!) have third-grade reluctant readers. A read aloud is a fantastic way to help steer these reluctant readers toward certain books, genres, and authors. If a student gets hooked during a read aloud, then the student is more likely to pick up a similar book on their own. I have had many reluctant readers check out a similar book to one of our read alouds on their own at the library, or continue with a series that they enjoyed hearing. Children love books in a series. When they find a book that they love, all they can think about is reading another book "just like the other one!" A series can push reluctant readers to continue picking up more books and pushing them to keep (happily) reading.

When do I find time during the day?

I get it- the day is BUSY. Finding extra time to carve out for a read aloud sounds challenging, and for some schedules seemingly impossible. However, you can make it happen! All you need is at minimum of ten minutes a day. This could be ten minutes after lunch. Ten minutes after recess as a "cool-down". Ten minutes before the end-of-the-day bell rings and students are all packed up. Just ten minutes a day will give your students enormous language and vocabulary benefits, and allow them to develop a love of literature and the spoken word. If you are really pressed for time or your school does not allow you to take time to do read alouds (I have heard from some teachers that their principals do not allow it after a certain grade!), you could even do read aloud as a part of your language arts block. Students could listen to the text, then fill out something on reading strategies. For example, my
reading interactive notebook has tons of interactive pieces of strategies like compare/contrast, cause & effect, story elements, etc. I also have a reading strategies Google Classroom product if you want a no-prep and digital activity! Some of the digital interactive pieces including author's purpose, main idea, sequencing, asking & answering questions, and story elements. You could have students listen, then fill out a chart discussing story elements. Maybe you ask them to focus on two characters in the chapter, then to compare and contrast the actions of both. This way, students are still getting to hear a read aloud but can be practicing a particular skill at the same time.

How can I make the read aloud book choice exciting?

Make your read aloud choice exciting and an event! Creating a hype can take an already awesome book to an AMAZING book. I also like to hype up books before reading when I do my book clubs - you can read about how I do my paperless book clubs here. Below are two ways that you can go about "creating the hype" over reading.

This first idea I found on another teacher's Instagram account - and I LOVE it. You wrap the upcoming read aloud book up and place on the whiteboard for a week. This not only gets the kids crazy excited to see the book finally unwrapped, but it allows predictions and guesses. Sometimes kids will learn about a new book series simply because another student is guessing what might be inside the package and they are interested to read it! You could even write clues on the board.

Another way to create excitement over a read aloud is to give students a voice and vote in the book choice. You could give students three titles, read the summary of each, then allow students to vote on the book choice. This automatically creates student interest because the students themselves chose the read aloud! I would definitely recommend giving them the titles though and veering away from allowing them to brainstorm by themselves, otherwise you will get books that they most likely have already read.

Should I stick with classic books for third-graders?

I am a big believer in picking books that are less popular for a read aloud. For example, I would not do Diary of a Wimpy Kid as a read aloud chapter book. Why? Because students are more likely to pick this up and read on their own. I want to get a read aloud book that draws them in and is unexpected - something to make them hooked on a new genre, author, or series. Of course, it is totally up to you and your classroom what books that you choose!

What are the BEST read-aloud chapter books for third-grade?

Here is a list of the BEST read-aloud chapter books that your third-graders will LOVE and beg to listen to at the end of everyday! Please note that the following are Amazon Affiliate links, but you can easily pick these up at your local bookstore!

This by far is my FAVORITE read-aloud chapter book! I start every school year with this book. It is full of humor, excitement, and fantastic cliff-hangers. It is about a boy, Stanley Yelnats, who was falsely accused of a crime that he did not commit. He is sent to a juvenile delinquent facility where every day the boys must dig a hole in the ground to "build character." However, he soon discovers that there is another reason for digging holes and that the warden is not as she seems. This is also a good book to read because there is a sequel, so reluctant readers always try to snag it at the library. This fantastic book has multiple timelines and is a fantastic read, this is my number one must-read pick!

Man, another one that makes me cry! Wonder is FANTASTIC if you are pushing character education and kindness in your classroom, because it fits in as a puzzle piece perfectly. I love using Wonder as an example when we talk about kindness or hurting other students' feelings, because the little boy in the story goes through so much. He has a facial deformity, and learns to cope with it in life. You also get to read other points of view, such as his sister, who is in his shadow her whole life. It is easy to discuss empathy with this book, I highly recommend it near the end-of-the-year as students sometimes start getting not-so-nice to one another.

Prepare to cry- and see your students cry. This bittersweet tale of a China bunny and his movement through various owners breaks my heart every time. However, the language is beautiful and is a song for the ears. This one is a must for vocabulary development, especially if you are doing any sort of writing unit on author's voice.

A total classic! This is a quick read, so it's perfect if you only have a couple weeks before break and need to start a read aloud! Matilda is a gifted child living in a tough world. A world where her parents don't care about her, and the headmaster at school is actually evil. This is a silly book and kids will enjoy Matilda's tricks.

I read this with my gifted third-grade class and they go crazy for it. It starts off a little slow, but turns into a fast-paced roller coaster. This one is also part of a series, so you will definitely see kiddos start checking out the other ones at the library.

Conclusion

What read aloud books do you read in your classroom? I love getting new ideas, please share in the comments section! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to add them to my list. Happy reading!

Want to pin it to save for later?Want to pin it for later?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
BEST Read aloud chapter books for 3rd-grade

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Watching my students' faces light up when they are hanging on every word of a read aloud is my jam. Is there anything better than visually seeing a child's love of reading right in front of your eyes?! Kids do not outgrow read alouds. Have you ever listened to an audiobook?

# data[].attributes.body
Incorporate learning activities when you go on family outings that can be educational!
For example, you can have your child fill out this worksheet when you visit the zoo for a fun educational activity. You could also find similar worksheets to use going to the park, or do acvitities around the house such as have your child count how many lightswitches, door frames, light bulbs, chairs, and windowsills are in your house! Interactive activities like this can be played off as "solving mysteries" rather than learning about animals or math!

# data[].attributes.headline
9 ways to support your child's learning at home

# data[].attributes.subject
9 ways to support your child's learning at home

# data[].attributes.body
Recommended reading!
This website lists many fun and educational ways to bring school into the home in ways that will engage your child.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
9 Ways To Support Your Child's Learning at Home: Insider Tips

As a parent, you are your children's first, and most important, teacher

By Jen Reynolds

When parents and families are involved in their children's learning at home, studies show that the children achieve greater academic success and have more positive feelings about going to school. Kate Hebdon agrees. As a high school academic director, she says that the absolute best way to support a child's learning at home is to move the theory behind the teacher's lessons into authentic learning experiences that support interdisciplinary connections. "Throw out the worksheets and play to learn," she advises.

Here are some educator-approved ideas to get you started:

Bake to learn

"If a child is learning fractions, then baking and measurement is a sure fire way to move the theory into practice, advises Hebdon. "Double or triple the recipe and have your kid figure out the measurements," adds Fiona Marshall, a high school history and world issues educator. Even ordering a pizza to take along on a picnic can reinforce concepts when you ask your kids how many slices they can each have if you order a 12-slice pizza. At the end of the math lesson, they can lick the spoon and you've applied basic math like fractions and multiplication and even division and-best of all-taught them the life long skill of cooking for themselves.

Count on the home team

"If you have sports fans in your house, encourage children to follow their favorite team's statistics," suggests Shelley Dennis, a middle school teacher. Younger children can start by gathering data like wins and losses while older kids can dig deeper to record the number of strikes a pitcher throws and how many innings they are in the game. Once the kids have determined what data to collect, ask them questions that will require analysis. For instance, what's the average number of strikes per inning that the pitcher throws? If they are visual learners, you may want to encourage them to make a sketch of a ball diamond and plot out where their favorite batters hit their home runs.

Learn, then earn

"For pre-teens, set up a bank account with them and have them manage their account online," Marshall advises. "Ask them to set up a savings plan and do calculations of how much more they would have to add to their account to buy a treasured item. Have them calculate taxes and any other hidden costs. Older kids should buy a safe stock and a green stock with any money they have and manage this investment. It does good for the earth and also can help them support their post secondary education. Have them figure out what investments they'd need to make to pay for future schooling. This requires advanced math and will help them appreciate the savings required for post secondary education."

Ask your child's teacher for a reading list in advance of the summer and winter breaks. "Knowing what's coming up can support a deeper understanding for all readers," says Hebdon. She advises parents to find an audio version of these books to play on long road trips: "this will provide the opportunity to bring the family together to discuss the novel and build discussions around theme, tone and motif." Hebdon adds that, "a student with learning differences can find this particularly helpful. When the student returns to school, the onus of reading page by page becomes more of a review and they may find it easier to listen to the connections the teacher shares or supports the class in generating together. It gives slow readers a leg up and advanced readers some room to find further connections or insights."

Travel the world through a book

Introduce your kids to the books in your library, suggests Marshall. She advises sharing non-fiction books, a genre which, she says "contributes to creating a more worldly child and fosters the wonders of the human spirit."

Teach geography on the go

As you move through different communities and towns on holiday car trips, support learning in geography and history Hebdon recommends. Ask questions like, 'why do so many people settle along the water and fewer people live in-land?' "Have the kids take note of the quick shift from urban to rural when entering and exiting a city," she says, and adds that car rides are a good time to spring friendly pop quizzes. For instance, "ask your child what terms they have learned in geography and social studies that help us understand the different uses of land in area you might be exploring-for example, is the land used for commercial, residential or green space purposes?"

Be creative

"Let them paint their room," advises Dennis. To do this, they will need to figure out how much paint they need and practice their fine motor skills to do this properly. Your kids will also learn to negotiate the challenges involved in with trying something new. In addition, she suggests buy them a sketch book and some cool pencils. "When kids-and adults-devote 30 minutes a day to drawing outside, they will find a new appreciation for the natural world."

Listen to the news

"You can teach media literacy by reading the paper with your child or turning the radio to news while you are in the car," states Marshall. "Then," she says "be prepared to talk with your children about what they are reading and hearing." Ask why a reporter chose to use certain words to describe the situation and what could they have said differently. Having these conversations about local and global issues, and how they are reported in the news, will help shape your child's perspective for life. Unfortunately, however, it's a reality that the news can be distressing but that doesn't mean parents should change the channel. Prepare yourself with trusted advice to have a meaningful, age-appropriate conversation about what your kids are hearing.

Foster life skills

"Don't forget that self-management is an important learning skill that your child needs your support to master," reminds Hebdon. To build this skill, she advises having children make their own breakfast or lunch; pack their own school, camp or sleepover bag; and help grocery shop using a list they co-construct with you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
9 Ways To Support Your Child's Learning at Home: Insider Tips - WE

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
9 Ways To Support Your Child's Learning at Home: Insider Tips As a parent, you are your children's first, and most important, teacher By Jen Reynolds When parents and families are involved in their children's learning at home, studies show that the children achieve greater academic success and have more positive feelings about going to school.

# data[].attributes.headline
Twenty Ways You Can Help Your Children Succeed At School

# data[].attributes.subject
Twenty Ways You Can Help Your Children Succeed At School

# data[].attributes.body
Recommended reading!
The website breaks the twenty tips down into five different categories which makes it a quick, easy read.
A lot of these are centered on two very important things:
Communication and Research.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As a parent, you are your child's first and most important teacher. When parents and families are involved in their children's schools, the children do better and have better feelings about going to school. In fact, many studies show that what the family does is more important to a child's school success than how much money the family makes or how much education the parents have. There are many ways that parents can support their children's learning at home and throughout the school year. Here are some ideas to get you started!

Develop a partnership with your child's teachers and school staff

1. Meet your child's teacher. As soon as the school year starts, try to find a way to meet your child's teacher. Let the teacher know you want to help your child learn. Make it clear that you want the teacher to contact you if any problems develop with your child. Talk with your child's teacher offers some great tips for developing a partnership with your child's teacher.

If you feel uncomfortable speaking English, don't let a language barrier stop you. What you have to say is more important than the language you say it in! Ask the school to find someone who can interpret for you. There may be a teacher or parent liaison who can help. Or you can bring a bilingual friend or relative with you.

2. Get to know who's who at your child's school. There are many people at your child's school who are there to help your child learn, grow socially and emotionally, and navigate the school environment. Who's Who at Your Child's School describes the responsibilities of teachers, administrators, and district staff. Each school is different but this article will offer a general introduction to personnel of your child's school.

3. Attend parent-teacher conferences and keep in touch with your child's teacher. Schools usually have one or two parent-teacher conferences each year. You can bring a friend to interpret for you or ask the school to provide an interpreter. You can also ask to meet with your child's teacher any time during the year. If you have a concern and can't meet face-to-face, send the teacher a short note or set up a time to talk on the phone. For more ideas about how to prepare for parent-teacher conferences, see Tips for Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences at Your Child's School.

Support your child academically

4. Find out how your child is doing. Ask the teacher how well your child is doing in class compared to other students. If your child is not keeping up, especially when it comes to reading, ask what you or the school can do to help. It's important to act early before your child gets too far behind. Also be sure to review your child's report card each time it comes out. For more information, see How To Know When Your Child Needs Extra Help.

5. Apply for special services if you think your child may need it. If your child is having problems with learning, ask the school to evaluate your child in his or her strongest language. The teacher might be able to provide accommodations for your child in class. If the school finds out your child has a learning disability, he can receive extra help at no cost. For more information, see Where To Go For Help.

6. Make sure that your child gets homework done. Let your child know that you think education is important and that homework needs to be done each day. You can help your child with homework by setting aside a special place to study, establishing a regular time for homework, and removing distractions such as the television and social phone calls during homework time. Helping Your Child With Homework offers some great ideas for ensuring that your child gets homework done.

If you are reluctant to help your child with homework because you feel that you don't know the subject well enough or because you don't speak or read English, you can help by showing that you are interested, helping your child get organized, providing the necessary materials, asking your child about daily assignments, monitoring work to make sure that it is completed, and praising all of your child's efforts. Remember that doing your child's homework for him won't help him in the long run.

7. Find homework help for your child if needed. If it is difficult for you to help your child with homework or school projects, see if you can find someone else who can help. Contact the school, tutoring groups, after school programs, churches, and libraries. Or see if an older student, neighbor, or friend can help.

8. Help your child prepare for tests. Tests play an important role in determining a students grade. Your child may also take one or more standardized tests during the school year, and your child's teacher may spend class time on test preparation throughout the year. As a parent, there are a number of ways that you can support your child before and after taking a standardized test, as well as a number of ways you can support your child's learning habits on a daily basis that will help her be more prepared when it's time to be tested. Learn more standardized tests and general test-taking in How to Help Your Child Prepare for Standardized Tests.

Get involved with your child's school

9. Learn what the school offers. Read the information the school sends home, and ask to receive information in your native language if necessary. Talk to other parents to find out what programs the school offers. Maybe there's a music program, after-school activity, sports team, or tutoring program your child would enjoy. Remember to keep track of events throughout the school year.

10. Volunteer at your child's school and/or join your school's parent-teacher group. Teachers appreciate it when parents help out at the school! There are many ways you can contribute. You can volunteer in your child's class or in the school library. You can make food for a school event. If you work during the day, you can attend "parents' night" activities or your child's performances. At most schools, a group of parents meets regularly to talk about the school. This group is usually called the PTA or PTO. The meetings give you a good chance to talk with other parents and to work together to improve the school. How to Get Involved in Your Child's School Activities offers some more ideas that you can get involved, especially for busy parents.

Get informed and be an advocate for your child

11. Ask questions. If something concerns you about your child's learning or behavior, ask the teacher or principal about it and seek their advice. Your questions may be like these - What specific problem is my child having with reading? What can I do to help my child with this problem? How can I stop that bully from picking on my son? How can I get my child to do homework? Which reading group is my child in?

12. Learn about your rights. It's important to know what your rights are as the parent regarding special services, English instruction, immigration status, and more. Learn more in Your Rights as the Parent of a Public School Student.

13. Let the school know your concerns. Is your child doing well in school? Is he or she having trouble learning, behaving, or studying? Is there a problem with another student, teacher, or administrator? If you have a concern, How to Let the School Know About Your Concerns describes some steps to take.

Support your child's learning at home

14. Demonstrate a positive attitude about education to your children. What we say and do in our daily lives can help them to develop positive attitudes toward school and learning and to build confidence in themselves as learners. Showing our children that we both value education and use it in our daily lives provides them with powerful models and contributes greatly to their success in school.

In addition, by showing interest in their children's education, parents and families can spark enthusiasm in them and lead them to a very important understanding-that learning can be enjoyable as well as rewarding and is well worth the effort required.

15. Monitor your child's television, video game, and Internet use. American children on average spend far more time watching TV, playing video games and using the Internet than they do completing homework or other school-related activities. How to Monitor TV Viewing and Video Game Playing and Help Your Child Learn to Use the Internet Properly and Effectively offer some ideas for helping your child use the media effectively.

16. Encourage your child to read. Helping your child become a reader is the single most important thing that you can do to help the child to succeed in school-and in life. The importance of reading simply can't be overstated. Reading helps children in all school subjects. More important, it is the key to lifelong learning. Learn more in Fun Reading Tips and Activities and Fun and Effective Ways to Read with Children.

17. Talk with your child. Talking and listening play major roles in children's school success. It's through hearing parents and family members talk and through responding to that talk that young children begin to pick up the language skills they will need if they are to do well. For example, children who don't hear a lot of talk and who aren't encouraged to talk themselves often have problems learning to read, which can lead to other school problems. In addition, children who haven't learned to listen carefully often have trouble following directions and paying attention in class. It's also important for you to show your child that you're interested in what he has to say. Talking With Your Child offers some great ideas for using conversation to stimulate language development.

18. Encourage your child to use the library. Libraries are places of learning and discovery for everyone. Helping your child find out about libraries will set him on the road to being an independent learner. Remember that libraries also offer a quiet place for students to complete homework, and are often open in the evening. Learn more about resources for students in Library Services for School-Aged Children.

19. Encourage your child to be responsible and work independently. Taking responsibility and working independently are important qualities for school success. You can help your child to develop these qualities by establish reasonable rules that you enforce consistently, making it clear to your child that he has to take responsibility for what he does, both at home and at school, showing your child how to break a job down into small steps, and monitor what your child does after school, in the evenings and on weekends. If you can't be there when your child gets home, give her the responsibility of checking in with you by phone to discuss her plans. Learn more in Encourage Responsibility, Independence, and Active Learning.

20. Encourage active learning. Children need active learning as well as quiet learning such as reading and doing homework. Active learning involves asking and answering questions, solving problems and exploring interests. Active learning also can take place when your child plays sports, spends time with friends, acts in a school play, plays a musical instrument or visits museums and bookstores. To promote active learning, listen to your child's ideas and respond to them. Let him jump in with questions and opinions when you read books together. When you encourage this type of give-and-take at home, your child's participation and interest in school is likely to increase.

Recommended Resource from Understood.org

For more great ideas, take a look at the bilingual resources on Partnering with Your Child's School from Understood.org, a free website focused on learning and attention issues.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Twenty Ways You Can Help Your Children Succeed At School

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As a parent, you are your child's first and most important teacher. When parents and families are involved in their children's schools, the children do better and have better feelings about going to school. In fact, many studies show that what the family does is more important to a child's school success than how much money the family makes or how much education the parents have.

# data[].attributes.headline
Educate yourself on methods to help ensure your child's academic success at home

# data[].attributes.subject
Educate yourself on methods to help ensure your child's academic success at home

# data[].attributes.body
In here I have also listed a few websites I would recommend that all of my third grade
parents visit and read through because they contain helpful advice.