Try a journal project with a dreamy theme
Keeping a journal gives children writing practice, helps them learn to express themselves and promotes self-exploration. To make it interesting, suggest that your elementary schooler keep a dream diary. Your child can write down (or dictate) the previous night's dreams each morning. Encourage your student to include lots of details, but don't try to interpret the dreams. Instead, ask questions like, "What does that make you think of?" and "Do you ever feel like that when you're awake?"
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Keeping a journal gives children writing practice, helps them learn to express themselves and promotes self-exploration. To make it interesting, suggest that your elementary schooler keep a dream diary. Your child can write down (or dictate) the previous night's dreams each morning. Encourage your student to include lots of details, but don't try to interpret the dreams. Instead, ask questions like, "What does that make you think of?" and "Do you ever feel like that when you're awake?"
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Focus attention on following directions
Does your child seem forgetful, absent-minded or irresponsible when you give directions? An ability to focus on instructions and carry them out is important for school success. To help your child concentrate, reduce distractions when you speak. Turn off the TV. Say things like "I know it's sometimes hard to pay attention, but I need to see your eyes when I'm talking to you." Then, keep your instructions short.
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Does your child seem forgetful, absent-minded or irresponsible when you give directions? An ability to focus on instructions and carry them out is important for school success. To help your child concentrate, reduce distractions when you speak. Turn off the TV. Say things like "I know it's sometimes hard to pay attention, but I need to see your eyes when I'm talking to you." Then, keep your instructions short.
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Play a family conversation game
Dinnertime conversations, where everyone talks and listens to one another, build your child's vocabulary, social skills and family ties. But sometimes children need help taking part in family conversations. You can make a game of it. Have each person tell a story about their day and include one thing that isn't true. Then, take turns guessing which thing it is.
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Dinnertime conversations, where everyone talks and listens to one another, build your child's vocabulary, social skills and family ties. But sometimes children need help taking part in family conversations. You can make a game of it. Have each person tell a story about their day and include one thing that isn't true. Then, take turns guessing which thing it is.
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Summer routines help your child stay school-ready
Keeping up school success routines throughout the summer is an effective way to support your child’s academic achievement. Reading, for example, is a skill that children must practice continually or it will get rusty. Set aside 30 minutes each day for quiet reading with your child. Be sure your child's daily summer routines also include daily exercise and household responsibilities.
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Keeping up school success routines throughout the summer is an effective way to support your child’s academic achievement. Reading, for example, is a skill that children must practice continually or it will get rusty. Set aside 30 minutes each day for quiet reading with your child. Be sure your child's daily summer routines also include daily exercise and household responsibilities.
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Send your child on a number hunt
To help your young child recognize numbers and some of the ways people use them, have a number hunt. Choose a number, such as 12. Write it on a piece of paper. Now challenge your elementary schooler to find that number somewhere in your home. Your child might find it on the clock or on a can in your cupboard. Talk about what it represents in that context. Then it's your child's turn to write down a number and send you on a number hunt.
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To help your young child recognize numbers and some of the ways people use them, have a number hunt. Choose a number, such as 12. Write it on a piece of paper. Now challenge your elementary schooler to find that number somewhere in your home. Your child might find it on the clock or on a can in your cupboard. Talk about what it represents in that context. Then it's your child's turn to write down a number and send you on a number hunt.
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Sharpen skills with a creative writing game
Writers are careful observers. Here's a fun way to help your child build both observation and writing skills. Bring some pencils and paper on a family walk. Set a time limit, then challenge family members to write down words for things they see around them (building, tree, etc.). They can also include descriptive words like "tall" or "gray." When the time is up, see who can turn their word collection into the most creative sentence.
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Writers are careful observers. Here's a fun way to help your child build both observation and writing skills. Bring some pencils and paper on a family walk. Set a time limit, then challenge family members to write down words for things they see around them (building, tree, etc.). They can also include descriptive words like "tall" or "gray." When the time is up, see who can turn their word collection into the most creative sentence.
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Bird watching is science in action
To help your child connect with science, suggest keeping a record of the birds in your neighborhood. Your child can draw them, write descriptions or take pictures. While your student is at it, discuss ways humans and birds are similar. You might ask, "Do you think baby birds are afraid when they learn to fly? Are there things you might be afraid to do but know you need to learn?" Help your child go online to identify and learn more about birds in your area.
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To help your child connect with science, suggest keeping a record of the birds in your neighborhood. Your child can draw them, write descriptions or take pictures. While your student is at it, discuss ways humans and birds are similar. You might ask, "Do you think baby birds are afraid when they learn to fly? Are there things you might be afraid to do but know you need to learn?" Help your child go online to identify and learn more about birds in your area.
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Promote reading with an advertising lesson
To put a positive spin on screen time, pay attention to the ads when you watch a TV show with your child. Talk together about the words advertisers use to get viewers to buy things. Then, challenge your child to make a commercial for a favorite book. What points would your child make? How will your child convince people to stay tuned? Have your elementary schooler practice the ad and then "sell" the book to the entire family the next time you watch TV.
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To put a positive spin on screen time, pay attention to the ads when you watch a TV show with your child. Talk together about the words advertisers use to get viewers to buy things. Then, challenge your child to make a commercial for a favorite book. What points would your child make? How will your child convince people to stay tuned? Have your elementary schooler practice the ad and then "sell" the book to the entire family the next time you watch TV.
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A simple process encourages cooperation
Want to motivate your elementary schooler to do something? First, tell your child exactly what you expect. Next, link the behavior you want with something your child wants (that you're willing to deliver). "When your math is completed, we can play that game you like." Then, keep your promise when your child does what you've asked (but not before!). Also, be sure to comment positively when your child cooperates the first time you ask.
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Want to motivate your elementary schooler to do something? First, tell your child exactly what you expect. Next, link the behavior you want with something your child wants (that you're willing to deliver). "When your math is completed, we can play that game you like." Then, keep your promise when your child does what you've asked (but not before!). Also, be sure to comment positively when your child cooperates the first time you ask.
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Manners matter, at home and at school
With all there is to teach your child these days, manners may not be high on your list. But in a classroom, one student's rude behavior can make learning harder for everyone. To encourage respectful behavior, talk with your child about what it means to treat others the way your child would like to be treated. And when you are upset, model how to express frustration calmly.
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With all there is to teach your child these days, manners may not be high on your list. But in a classroom, one student's rude behavior can make learning harder for everyone. To encourage respectful behavior, talk with your child about what it means to treat others the way your child would like to be treated. And when you are upset, model how to express frustration calmly.
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Celebrate progress and set new goals
As the end of the school year approaches, take some time to review the highlights with your child. What was your elementary schooler's favorite project? In what subject did your child improve most? What book did your child most enjoy reading? Celebrate all the progress your student has made this year. Then, look ahead. Brainstorm together about something your child would like to learn this summer. Plan ways to help your child achieve the goal.
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As the end of the school year approaches, take some time to review the highlights with your child. What was your elementary schooler's favorite project? In what subject did your child improve most? What book did your child most enjoy reading? Celebrate all the progress your student has made this year. Then, look ahead. Brainstorm together about something your child would like to learn this summer. Plan ways to help your child achieve the goal.
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Learning fractions is as easy as folding a napkin
Fractions can be fun to learn, particularly when kids can get their hands on them. To help your child see fractions in action, demonstrate how to fold paper towels or napkins into equal parts. Start with halves: How many ways can you each think of to fold the paper to create two equal halves? Move on to fourths, eighths and sixteenths. Let your child use a marker to label the fractions.
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Fractions can be fun to learn, particularly when kids can get their hands on them. To help your child see fractions in action, demonstrate how to fold paper towels or napkins into equal parts. Start with halves: How many ways can you each think of to fold the paper to create two equal halves? Move on to fourths, eighths and sixteenths. Let your child use a marker to label the fractions.
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A time log can help make choices clear
Most of us don't have a clear idea of where all our time goes. To find out, set aside one week to keep a family time log. Every half hour, record how you and your child spend your time. At the end of the week, you will have a clear picture of where your time is going. Are you spending too much time on things that aren't priorities? When you know that, you can make choices that are best for you and your family.
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Most of us don't have a clear idea of where all our time goes. To find out, set aside one week to keep a family time log. Every half hour, record how you and your child spend your time. At the end of the week, you will have a clear picture of where your time is going. Are you spending too much time on things that aren't priorities? When you know that, you can make choices that are best for you and your family.
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Early Dismissal Tomorrow!
Friendly reminder to all of our families and staff that tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20th, 2026, is an Early Dismissal day.
Please ensure arrangements are made for your child's afternoon transportation and pickup. Thank you!
Friendly reminder to all of our families and staff that tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20th, 2026, is an Early Dismissal day.
Please ensure arrangements are made for your child's afternoon transportation and pickup. Thank you!
Tomorrow, May 20, is an early dismissal day for students. Port Barre Elementary will start dismissal at 12 noon.
PBES bus announcement: Bus L206 (Mrs. Kim) will NOT run this afternoon, May 19, or tomorrow, May 20. Students will need to be picked up in the car rider line this afternoon, as well as dropped off and picked up in the car rider line tomorrow. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Try a tasty science experiment
Scientists know that while some areas of the tongue may be more sensitive to certain flavors than others, people can still taste the flavors all over the tongue. Try this experiment together: Put a little sugar on different parts of your child's tongue. Does it taste sweeter in some places than others? Repeat with lemon juice, salt and unsweetened chocolate. Can your child identify the places on the tongue that are most sensitive to sweet, sour, salty and bitter flavors, or do they taste the same all over? Then, have your child suck on an ice cube and repeat the experiment. Does it make a difference?
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Scientists know that while some areas of the tongue may be more sensitive to certain flavors than others, people can still taste the flavors all over the tongue. Try this experiment together: Put a little sugar on different parts of your child's tongue. Does it taste sweeter in some places than others? Repeat with lemon juice, salt and unsweetened chocolate. Can your child identify the places on the tongue that are most sensitive to sweet, sour, salty and bitter flavors, or do they taste the same all over? Then, have your child suck on an ice cube and repeat the experiment. Does it make a difference?
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Your child learns when you think out loud
Children learn by watching adults. And when you talk about what you are thinking and doing, you make it easier for your child to learn. If you are cooking, for example, you might say, "I'm looking for a cake recipe. I don't have time to read all the recipes in this cookbook, so I'm going to turn to the index in the back. Here under the letter C is a recipe for chocolate cake." Your child will see how useful an alphabetized index is.
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Children learn by watching adults. And when you talk about what you are thinking and doing, you make it easier for your child to learn. If you are cooking, for example, you might say, "I'm looking for a cake recipe. I don't have time to read all the recipes in this cookbook, so I'm going to turn to the index in the back. Here under the letter C is a recipe for chocolate cake." Your child will see how useful an alphabetized index is.
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Help your child set a weekly learning goal
Having students set a weekly learning goal can motivate them to aim high and keep trying. It can also help families make sure students stay on track. Have your child choose a goal and post it on the refrigerator. Then, talk about what steps your elementary schooler will take to reach it. For example, a child who wants to finish a book could decide to read two chapters per day. During the week, check on your child's progress. If problems arise, help your child brainstorm possible solutions.
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Having students set a weekly learning goal can motivate them to aim high and keep trying. It can also help families make sure students stay on track. Have your child choose a goal and post it on the refrigerator. Then, talk about what steps your elementary schooler will take to reach it. For example, a child who wants to finish a book could decide to read two chapters per day. During the week, check on your child's progress. If problems arise, help your child brainstorm possible solutions.
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🎉 Fun Day Reminders - Friday, May 15, 2026🎉
1, Students should wear their Fun Day shirts (if purchased) with uniform bottoms. All other students should wear their regular school uniforms for Fun Day.
2. Students are encouraged to bring water, sunglasses, and a towel. Hats
are permitted for Fun Day activities.
3. If you volunteered a tent or table, you may begin dropping those items off at the school. Please label all items with your name so they can be returned to the correct person.
4. Only parents who were directly contacted may attend Fun Day. These parents have been assigned specific areas to assist throughout the day.
We’re looking forward to a fun and exciting day for our students! ☀️