Release: #04-79
September 3, 2004

Contact: Tina Jung
E-mail: communications@cde.ca.gov
Phone: 916-319-0818

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today released his top 10 tips to help students with their reading, writing, arithmetic, study habits, and health and safety as they prepare to go back to school in the coming days.

"Now more than ever, it is critical we help our children succeed in school," said O'Connell. "Students must undergo a battery of tests throughout their school career to measure their progress, while at the same time their coursework is becoming more rigorous than at any time in the past. They will carry their study habits with them into their careers so it is vital we do everything to help them become healthy, happy, and successful."

O'Connell's top 10 tips are broken down into five categories:

Reading

• Read to and with your children often. This is a great time to bond, share ideas, and confirm what you have learned.
• Choose age-appropriate reading materials. Work with your children's teacher to find books that are right for their age group and reading skills that will help make reading more enjoyable. For more information, please visit Recommended Literature (K-12).

Writing

• Encourage your children to write. This will come in handy for sending thank you notes and keeping up with friends.
• Write school reports using more than one source. Show your children that confirming information from a wide variety of sources will make their report better and will introduce them to a world of information. For more information, please visit Content Standards.

Arithmetic

• Use practical experience with math. Take your children grocery shopping with you. Compare prices, measure the groceries, and add up the bill. This will acquaint them with using math in their daily lives.
• Use the metric system. Encourage your children to recalculate pints into liters and inches into centimeters. This will help them become "bilingual" in math. For more information, please visit Mathematics.

Study Habits

• Choose a reading area that is comfortable and well lighted. This will help your children concentrate and absorb more of what they are trying to learn. Make note of any studying difficulties that may be caused by poor eyesight and solved with glasses.
• Be selective about TV and radio. Turn them off while your children are studying. When they do watch TV or listen to radio, choose programs that are interesting and educational for them.

Health and Safety

• Encourage physical activity, eat well-balanced meals, and get adequate sleep. Active play builds strong muscles and eating a proper diet everyday are basic to good health and will stave off obesity. Getting eight to 10 hours of sleep will keep students attentive and responsive in class.
• Be aware of surroundings. Teach your children to stop, look, listen, and think before they engage in any activity. For more information, please visit Learning Support.

"But the most important advice I can give to parents and students is to keep the lines of communication open," added O'Connell. "Listen, don't stifle curiosity, be subtle, supportive, and light hearted with your children. This will make their school days some of the best times of their lives."

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Attachments

Fifty Ways to Help Your Child Learn - Year 2004
Letter to Parents - Year 2004
Letter to County and District Superintendents - Year 2004
Video: State Schools Chief O'Connell Message to Parents - Video [Note, the preceding Web address is no longer valid.]