Port Barre Elementary School

Come join our team! Port Barre Elementary has two teacher positions open. Please contact Billie Cortez at 337-585-6172 or BCortez@slpsb.org.

A fun writing challenge helps kids think step-by-step One effective way to encourage clear thinking is to have your child write instructions. Choose a familiar activity, such as making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or playing a favorite computer game. Have your child write down the directions for doing it. Then, read the instructions back and have your child follow them exactly. Did they work? If not, have your student correct the directions, then try again. https://tpitip.com/?15fW17376

Minimize arguments and maximize cooperation Even the best-behaved children sometimes argue. To encourage cooperation from the outset, help your child develop self-discipline. Compliment good behavior, for example. If a task is within your child's capabilities, such as resolving minor spats with a sibling, let your child handle it. And be sure to enforce consequences for misbehavior consistently. When your child knows you mean what you say, it's less likely that testing you will seem worth the effort. https://tpitip.com/?15fV17376

Begin the conversation about the dangers of drugs and alcohol Your elementary schooler is not too young to begin learning about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. With first or second graders, look for teaching moments, such as news of a car crash caused by a drunk driver. Say, "WE know people should never drink alcohol and drive."By the time your child is nine, you can have longer talks. Start by asking, "What do you know about drugs and alcohol?" https://tpitip.com/?15fU17376

Responsibility is a key part of reading Reading is an entertaining hobby, but it involves responsibility, too. Teach your child to keep borrowed books in a special spot, like a basket or shelf, so they won't get lost or damaged. When books come home from the library, have your child write their due dates on the family calendar. To keep reading from interfering with sleeping, set an early tuck-in time so your child can read before lights-out. https://tpitip.com/?15fT17376

For math fact fun, this game is a winner Here's a game to try when your child is reviewing math facts. Grab a deck of cards and remove all the jokers and face cards. Deal half the cards to your child and half to yourself. To play, each of you turn over two cards. Have your child add each pair of cards together. The person with the highest sum takes all four cards. Continue through the deck. Whoever has more cards at the end wins. Try it with multiplication, too! https://tpitip.com/?15fS17376

Hunt for constellations on a night-sky walk A warm, clear summer night is the perfect time to take a walk outside with your child and look at the stars. Which constellations can you identify? Help your child research how the constellations got their names. Keep taking family night-sky walks across the seasons. Which constellations disappear? Which new ones can you see? Invent some constellations of your own. https://tpitip.com/?15fR17376

Keep vision problems from turning into school problems Children's ability to see can affect their performance in school. So it's important to be on the lookout for possible vision problems, so they can be treated. Ask your child to read to you. Does your child lose track of the words? Skip or reread lines? Leave out small words, or add words that aren't there? Does your student squint or complain of blurry vision or headaches? If you see these signs, consider having your child's eyes checked by a professional. An annual eye test is an important way to prevent vision-related school struggles. https://tpitip.com/?15fQ17376

Learning shouldn’t stop when school lets out To help your child be ready for school in the fall, make your home a learning place this summer. Ask what your child would like to learn, and plan some activities to help. You can also invite your child to join you in exploring a hobby you enjoy, such as gardening, astronomy or painting. Build problem-solving skills by asking, "How do you think you could do this?"instead of simply telling your child what to do. https://tpitip.com/?15fP17376

Magazines offer appealing ways to read Are you looking for ways to motivate your child to read? Try using magazines. Look for children's magazines—in print or online—with articles that match your child's interests. Then, ask your student to read an article to you. Another fun activity is to have your child cut out magazine pictures to create a rebus (a story that replaces some words with pictures). https://tpitip.com/?15fO17376

Empower your child to keep anger under control Anger and similar strong emotions can be overwhelming for children. To help your child learn to keep anger under control, ask, "What situations seem to make you feel angry?" Then, brainstorm together about what to do in those situations. You might give your child some self-talk phrases to repeat like, "I can handle this without losing my cool." Discuss what to say to others, too: "I'm too mad to talk now. Let's talk when we're calmer." https://tpitip.com/?15fN17376

Create a summer morning routine Routines make it easier for children to learn what to do and when to do it. Even during summer vacation, a morning routine will start your family's day smoothly. It should begin the evening before. Prep lunches and have your child choose clothes before going to bed. Post a checklist of morning tasks (get dressed, brush teeth, etc.). Then, have your child check them off each morning until they become a habit. https://tpitip.com/?15fM17376

Word games help your child score a strong vocabulary Games that feature letters and words, such as Scrabble and Boggle, are great for having fun with your child while practicing language skills. When you play together, don't worry too much about the rules. Using a dictionary is OK (it builds reading skills!). When you make a new word, discuss its meaning. You can also use the letter tiles from one game to play other games: How many words can you each make from the letters in your names? https://tpitip.com/?15fL17376

Six important words are the start to better questions Asking questions is how children learn. And the better their questions, the more they learn. To help your child ask good questions, choose any object in your home (a pair of jeans, for example). Then, explore this object with your child by asking questions using these words: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. (Who invented jeans? What are they made of? Where were they first made? When can you wear them? Why do you like them? How do they feel?) https://tpitip.com/?15fK17376

Stay up to date with a family guessing game Is getting details from your child about the school day like pulling teeth? Try this game to get your student talking. At dinner, have each person tell three things about their day: two that really happened and one that is made up. Family members get to ask questions, then decide which story is false. Or, each person can tell about three true events, and everyone can guess which event was the speaker's favorite. https://tpitip.com/?15fJ17376

Reduce resistance by acknowledging feelings Successful students take responsibility for doing what's expected of them. Along the way, however, they often argue about it. One way to stop arguments is to acknowledge your child's feelings. If your child says, "I don't want to do my reading," you might respond with "Wouldn't it be nice if we never had to do things we don't want to?" Then, get back to reality. "But we do. I have to make dinner, and you have to finish that chapter." https://tpitip.com/?15fI17376

Your child has leadership potential Some children are born leaders. But all children have the ability to become leaders. You can help develop your child's leadership skills by pointing out leaders in the news. Talk about what makes people effective leaders, such as being able to see other people's points of view and make people want to work together. Let your child practice by leading a family meeting or carrying out a family project. https://tpitip.com/?15fH17376

Inspire your child's inner drive to strive Does your elementary schooler practice free throws for hours, but whine after five minutes of math problems? Tap into the internal motivation that drives your child on the court to motivate efforts with schoolwork. You can do it by praising your child's effort, progress and persistence. Instead of rescuing your student when problems crop up, ask, "What ways can you think of to figure out a solution?" https://tpitip.com/?15fG17376

Curiosity and science go hand in hand To encourage an interest in science, make the most of your child's natural curiosity. Take a nature walk and stop to notice and ask questions about what you see. Then, see if you can find the answers together. Or, try simple experiments. For example, you could fill the sink with water and give your child some items from around the house. Ask which your child thinks will float and which will sink. Then, test to see! https://tpitip.com/?15fF17376

Help your child use digital media wisely Some of the time children spend using digital media is worthwhile, such as time spent researching or doing schoolwork. But too much passive recreational screen time can lead to problems. Students need lots of time offline to read, think and interact with family and friends. Set limits, and talk with your child about which screen activities are appropriate and which aren't. Review ways to stay safe online, then supervise and participate when your child uses screens. https://tpitip.com/?15fE17376