ELA & Social Studies Articles

The summer is drawing near, and after a year of learning at home, you and your kids may be struggling with fresh new ideas for play. But what if we told you to just go to the nearest bookshelf and pick up your child’s favorite book? Sometimes the best ideas for playful activities can be inspired by those that are unrelated to games. Read this article to discover how to use early learning books to inspire your child’s play and find the best titles and activities to fill your little learner’s time and mind!

As we round out the school year, now is the time to tackle new content in our refreshed and expanded English Language Arts course in the Talented and Gifted app! Kids Academy is proud to announce a big update that includes new content and expanded lessons in all grade levels of our ELA courses! Keep reading to find out what’s new, and the topics and skills that are covered in this incredible new update!

“My student can read every word in this book, why does his teacher say it is too hard?” As a teacher this is a phrase we hear every year. When it comes to a student’s ability to understand or comprehend a book there is a lot more than just being able to pronounce all the words. The gold standard of reading is reading fluency. 

Children with dyslexia often have trouble learning new skills, particularly those with multiple or complex series of steps.  To more effectively embed reading skills, use multi-sensory exercises to incorporate visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile techniques. 

All around the world, remote learning is becoming the norm. Schools and families are navigating their way around during these unprecedented times, trying to find ways to support their students and children learning from home. There are so many resources that are available to help children learn to read and write but what happens when you’re stuck without access to a computer, tablet or even Wifi? It is without a doubt that handwriting is something that is lagging due to our world becoming so tech-driven. Read this article to discover ways that you as a parent can help support and encourage the improvement of handwriting skills at home. 

Kids Academy is proud to introduce a new Foundational Reading courses for kindergarten through 3rd grade added to the app! Much like the other features included in the app, these courses were developed with the expertise of early childhood educators. What makes it different is that it targets all the necessary skills in comprehensive curricula packed with units and lessons that will transform your little learner into a reader. Keep reading to find more details about what’s included in the Foundational Reading program!

When teaching your child to read, you probably haven’t given much thought to chapter books. When we’re busy helping kids decode words, and read sentences, we might fall into the trap that longer books are only for older children. But if you think about it, one of the most important missions in teaching kids to read is to plant the seeds for enjoyment. Reading should be fun, and chapter books can immerse your child in the world of the story! 

In America, Black History Month serves as an excellent time to study the many historical contributions and accomplishments of notable African Americans. It’s especially important that our little learners understand the history as they grow older since our youngest citizens will one day be in charge. Whether you’re a teacher or a parent, read this article to learn more about the importance of celebrating Black History Month with kids, and find ways to honor it both at home and in the classroom! 

One of the biggest concerns in education during the last year has been the potential impact of the coronavirus pandemic and whether it has caused learning loss in our youngest students. It’s been nearly a year since many schools have shut their doors in favor of distance classes, and yet the teaching of foundational skills, such as reading and writing, must continue in earnest. Join us as we discuss the best ways, tips, and tools for teaching reading strategies remotely.

Teaching kids about diversity can seem like an overwhelming task! Shouldn’t kids learn about racism and prejudice as they grow older? Though it’s natural to want to protect innocent children from the horrors of our world, we must remember that the overall goal is to raise socially aware, caring, and empathetic individuals. This article focuses on teaching kids about diversity and tolerance and offers way to address this tricky subject with early learners.