Get Ready For New School Year

Newswise — Parents can help keep children's academic skills sharp this summer by using everyday activities to teach math and reading, said UAB education expert Charles Calhoun, Ph.D. "Encourage children to keep a journal or to e-mail friends to practice writing and grammar. At restaurants, let children try to estimate the bill to practice their math. The best way to prepare for next year's standardized tests is to help children maintain the skills they developed during the school year. You can't teach the test, but reading plays a big part in standardized testing. Encourage children to read and ask questions about what they read. Parents have to trust teachers to prepare children for testing, but parents can help keep children sharp."