MATH & READING BY THIRD GRADE

Math in the early years should be constant repetition and practice, practice, practice. If your child has a good foundation on adding and subtracting simple numbers in kindergarten and first grade, they will soon need to learn to add and subtract high level numbers.

SECOND GRADE

By second grade the introduction of simple multiplication should be introduced. 0x2=, 1x6=. Teach one segment of numbers at a time. Of course the zeros are fairly easy, any number multiplied by zero equals 0. Next do the 1's, and so on and so forth. There are a number of simple workbooks that can assist you in working with your child.

THIRD GRADE

BY Third grade, if you have been practicing and working with your child in reading and math, in a patient fun, way, your child should have mastered the basics of reading, still working on phonetics and vocabulary and spelling, but is able to read and do math at least on their grade level.

Reading and math practice should be a normal part of a child's life from preschool through grade 3. Most parents can teach their child up to third grade. If you need help, ask teachers, librarians for resources, books, workbooks, etc.

Reading materials should be available at home on your child's grade level, below and above. Children should have a variety of books, topics and sizes to choose from at home. I have heard parents say their boy will not read books, and I say, have you tried comic books, children's magazines, nonfiction or books that are true, such as cookbooks, how to books, etc. Many think the only reading material is a fiction story or a novel. You must find out what interests your child. Reading should be fun. Reading for enjoyment, should be at or below the child's reading level.

It does not make sense to insist on your 8 year old reading Harry Potter, when they are interested in reading Captain Underpants. Reading for pleasure, should be just that, pleasurable.