I-CANyons Parent Toolkit for Kindergarten Language Arts (ELA)
Speaking and Listening: I CAN...
StandardEngage effectively in conversations by listening to others and taking turns speaking.
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Core StandardSL.K.1. Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners
about kindergarten topic and texts with peers and adults in small and
larger groups.
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In Other WordsThe child engages in discussion with partners and in a small group.
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If MasteredYour child should continue to participate in collaborative conversations
with partners and family members. This is an essential skill and
should be strengthened continually. Discuss and describe people, places,
things that you observe together in detail using adjectives. Oral
vocabulary is vital to later reading comprehension.
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If Not Yet Mastered
10 tips
1. ASK ABOUT THEIR SCHOOL DAY: Open-ended questions open-ended encourage conversation. Asking "What was your favorite part of school today?" will elicit a better response than the yes-or-no type of question like "Did you have a good day?" Some more open-ended questions: "What books did your teacher read you today? Which one was your favorite? Why? What are you learning about in math? 2. ASK ABOUT THEIR FRIENDS: It's important to know who your child's friends are, so ask. Who did you play with at recess and what did you do? Who did you sit with on the bus? In the cafeteria? Ask by name about Jane or Billy or any of the kids your child hangs around with or talks about. 3. ASK ABOUT THE STAND-OUT MOMENTS OF THE DAY: Change it up every day and ask about something different: What was the funniest thing that happened today? The most surprising? The worst? The best thing that happened? Taking turns around the table makes these questions a lot of fun. 4. ASK ABOUT WORLD EVENTS: A discussion about current events doesn't have to feel like a social studies lesson. Young children can chime in about Tai-Shan and the Olympics, and older kids can debate politics, war or the economy. Kids of any age can answer questions like "What would you do if you were the President?" You may be surprised by how enlightened your children are. 5. ASK ABOUT POP CULTURE: Kids are immersed in laptops. They're tuned into iPods and tuned out to their parents. Find out what they're listening to, watching and reading. What's your favorite song? Who's your favorite band/singer? What did you think about [the last book you read]? What movie character would you want to be? What good movies are coming out soon? 6. SHARE A FUNNY STORY: Share a funny story from your own childhood, especially if grandma or grandpa were involved. This helps kids related to you as, like, a real person. And realizing that you were a kid once, too, may make it easier for them to open up to you without feeling silly or embarrassed. 7. ASK ABOUT PAYING IT FORWARD: Teaching kids to be kind may be as easy as making them aware of the kindnesses around them. What was the nicest thing someone did for you today? What was the nicest thing you did for someone else today? As children perform good deeds, they'll look forward to sharing them with you at the dinner table. Before long, kindness will be second nature. 8. ASK ABOUT TOMORROW: This is a great way not only for you to stay on top of your kids' schedules but to keep them accountable as well. What homework assignments are due tomorrow? What projects/book reports/presentations are due soon and how are they coming along? 9. ASK PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS: There are so many! If you won a million dollars, what would you do? What famous person (past or present) do you want to meet and why? What is one place in the you most want to visit? Add your own answers to these questions to help your kids better understand your beliefs and values. 10. LISTEN & TALK: Give your kids a chance to initiate the conversation. They may find the family dinner table a safe place to talk about school bullies, unfair teachers and disloyal friends. They may take this time to share news about a new friend, a great invention they've imagined or just about anything that's on their mind. Turn off the TV, set aside cell phones and sit down to dinner together as often as possible. Establishing this routine gives your family time to bond and provides rich oral vocabulary which will positively impact your child's writing and reading comprehension! Ask questions about their school day/activities. For example, parent: "What did you do today?" child: "Today I played with Andrew?" parent: "What did you play?" child: "We played at the block area during work time." parent: "What did you guys build?" child: "We built a big tower. Mom, what did you do today?" parent: "I took you to school. Then went to the store and got groceries." |
Standard
Speak audibly and express ideas clearly.
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Core Standard
SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly.
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In Other Words
The child speaks in complete sentences when answering and asking
questions. For example : My favorite thing about school is recess.
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If Mastered
Ask your child to retell events from their school day using complete sentences.
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If Not Yet Mastered
As you are discussing what your child did during the day, make sure that they are using complete sentences.
For example: *Parent: "What did you do today?" *Child: "Play." (would not be a complete sentence); Instead encourage the child to expand, who, what when where: "Today I played with Ben during recess on the tricky bars." |
