The United Federation of Teachers recommends the following new books for school-age children:
“Raising Nuestros Ninos: Bringing up Latino Children in a Bicultural World” by Gloria Rodriguez contains great advice for parents of children from birth through age 12. Although it is written with a special focus on Latino families, the suggestions would be useful to parents of every cultural background.
“Daily Summer Activities” is a book series designed to help you keep learning alive for children from grades K to 5. These books are organized around short sessions of just 20 minutes a day to give your child practice in reading, math, spelling, writing and geography. Each book includes helpful tips for parents, answer keys and certificates of completion.
“Math Practice at Home” is a book series available for grades K to 4, and the material is aligned with the new math standards. Each book contains 10 units to help your child review and reinforce grade-appropriate math skills.
“What to Do…When Your Child Has Trouble at School” by Karen Levine is one of a series of books in the Reader’s Digest Parenting Guides. The book answers basic questions parents have about a range of problems typical of children ages 5 to 13, such as what to do if your child is acting up in class, has trouble learning to read, or is starting a new school. It offers real solutions based on the advice of teachers, psychologists, parents and kids.
“Parent’s Guide to the New York State 4th Grade Tests” by Cynthia and Drew Johnson comes from the Kaplan test preparation organization. It tells you what to expect on the new state English Language Arts and Math tests and offers details tips on how to help prepare your child for the test-taking experience.
“Really Reading” by Janet Gardner and Lora Myers offers parents many good reading strategies. Published by Adams Media Corp., it lists for $7.95 and can be located on the Internet at www.adamsmedia.com .
“Games for Reading” and “Games for Writing” are two books from a terrific series by Peggy Kaye. Each book describes more than 70 games and playful activities using inexpensive household materials that develop strong reading and writing skills. Though primarily for children in grades K through three, these books are a perfect blend of fun and learning for older students as well.
“Family Math” by Jean Kerr Stenmark, Virginia Thompson and Ruth Cossey is filled with dozens of illustrated lessons and games that you can use to reinforce your child’s math ability. It’s aimed at kids age 5 to 12 and covers topics ranging from counting to word problems to geometry. Copies are available in stores or by calling the publisher, the University of California’s Lawrence Hall of Science, at 800-897-5036.
“The Parent Math Book,” by New York City teacher Ronney Laine in consultation with parents, can help you guide you child through difficult math concepts. It offers hundreds of sample problems for you to use, and it’s free from the UFT’s Dial-A-Teacher program.
“Helping Your Child Learn to Read,” one of a series of soft-cover books (others are on Math, history, science, and responsible behavior) published by the American Federation of Teachers in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Education. To order individual copies, write to the AFT, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001-2079.
“The Evidence Continues to Grow: Parent Involvement Improves Student Achievement” by Anne T. Henderson. This book can be ordered through Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com .
“What Your First Grader Needs To Know” by E.D. Hirsch Jr. See also title on second-, third-, and fourth-graders.
“What Did You Learn in School Today?” A series of guides produced by the New York City Board of Education to what every child should know, grade by grade, from kindergarten through 12th grade.
“Special Education in New York State for children Ages 3-21: A Parent’s Guide.” Free. Write to New York State Education Department, Office for Special Education, Polling Unit, Room 1624, One Commerce Plaza, Albany, NY 12234; or its New York City office at 55 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217-1580. 718-722-4544; or e-mail vesidespe@mail.nysed.gov .
“Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents” by Russell A. Barkley (Guilford Publications) $17.95, paper. This is a definitive work on ADHD by one of the nation’s leading experts.
“How to Double Your Child’s Grades in School” by Eugene M. Schwartz. Whether your children are in first grade or college, this book will help you strengthen their abilities in the core areas to school success: reading, writing and mathematics.
“Straight Talk about Reading: How Parents Can Make a Difference During the Early Years” by Susan Hall and Louisa Moats, Ed.D. This book has everything parents need to know about how children in preschool to third grade learn to read, including advice, games and activities for those with reading difficulties and disabilities.
