Looking for a little something extra to add to your toolbox?
Below are some tried and true resources to support you and your family.
Below are some tried and true resources to support you and your family.
Have a resource you love? Let's add it to the list!
Parent Support for Eureka Math
This site provides a suite of resources to help parents support their children in becoming proficient in math.
Testing at Westlake
Westlake Testing Overview
Santa Cruz City Schools
See the SCCS website's What's Happening section for updates on SCCS bonds.
This site provides a suite of resources to help parents support their children in becoming proficient in math.
Testing at Westlake
Westlake Testing Overview
Santa Cruz City Schools
See the SCCS website's What's Happening section for updates on SCCS bonds.
|
From the National PTA Website: Check out PTA Connected - Events, Toolkits, Modules to help kids act safely, responsibly and thoughtfully online.
|
PTA Connect Resource |
Description |
Partnering with... |
What does it mean to be PTA Connected? |
-- |
|
The time to have a digital safety conversation with your kids is before they get their first device. |
National PTA + LifeLock |
|
Learn about being Internet Awesome: Smart, Alert, Strong, Kind and Brave. |
National PTA + Google |
|
interactive presentation on social media and technology use and takeaways for families to respond to real life online interactions |
National PTA + Facebook |
|
With Summer Learning Session Tookits, and information about connecting to affordable internet |
National PTA + Access from AT&T |
|
Life360 brings families closer with a wide range of smart features, like real-time location notifications and advanced driving safety features, designed to protect and connect the people who matter most. |
National PTA + Life360 |
|
Educating families on video app sharing responsibility |
National PTA + TikTok |
National PTA Resources
The Parents’ Guides to Student Success
http://www.pta.org/parents/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2583
The Parents’ Guides to Student Success were developed by teachers, parents and education experts in response to the Common Core State Standards that more than 45 states have adopted.
Created for grades K-8 high school English language arts/literacy and mathematics the guides provide clear, consistent expectations for what students should be learning at each grade in order to be prepared for college and career.
Parent Guides
The guides include:
http://capta.org/resource/pta-in-california/
This California PTA “Education Edition” has information to answer questions about the new assessment score reports. Pages 6-10 specifically focus on assessment reports and other issues such as:
http://www.pta.org/parents/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2583
The Parents’ Guides to Student Success were developed by teachers, parents and education experts in response to the Common Core State Standards that more than 45 states have adopted.
Created for grades K-8 high school English language arts/literacy and mathematics the guides provide clear, consistent expectations for what students should be learning at each grade in order to be prepared for college and career.
Parent Guides
- Parents' Guide to Success Booklet
- Two-page Parents' Guides (Color)
- Four-page Parents' Guides (BW)
- Four-page Parents' Guides (Color)
- Parents’ Guides to Student Success—Frequently Asked Questions
- State Education Agencies
The guides include:
- Key items children should be learning in English language arts and mathematics in each grade, once Common Core
- Standards are fully implemented.
- Activities that parents can do at home to support their child's learning.
- Methods for helping parents build stronger relationships with their child's teacher.
- Tips for planning for college and career (high school only).
http://capta.org/resource/pta-in-california/
This California PTA “Education Edition” has information to answer questions about the new assessment score reports. Pages 6-10 specifically focus on assessment reports and other issues such as:
- What will the new score reports look like?
- What do the scores mean?
- What are the new assessments and what do they measure?
- What questions should I ask my child’s teacher and school administration about the new assessments?
- Where can I learn more?
Multiple Subject Resources
California Department of Education- Common Core State Standards:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/
Educational standards describe what students should know and be able to do in each subject in each grade. In California, the State Board of Education decides on the standards for all students, from kindergarten through high school.
Since 2010, California adopted a national set of standards called the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Having the same standards helps all students get an equal education, even if they change schools or move to a different state.
California Department of Education- Common Core State Standards:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/
Educational standards describe what students should know and be able to do in each subject in each grade. In California, the State Board of Education decides on the standards for all students, from kindergarten through high school.
Since 2010, California adopted a national set of standards called the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Having the same standards helps all students get an equal education, even if they change schools or move to a different state.
Resource |
Description |
Ages |
Cost |
Grade level math lessons and more. |
7+ |
free |
|
App for TK- 1st grade that includes reading, writing, social emotional activities and more. |
4-6 |
free |
|
Learning games, crafts, printable resources and more. |
4-10 |
free |
|
Printable resources across all subject areas |
4-10 |
$6 a month |
Reading, Writing & Literacy
Resource |
Description |
Ages |
Cost |
Lexia |
Leveled reading lessons. Access through Clever. |
5+ |
free |
Epic |
Large amount of digital, audio and read-to-me books. Access through Clever or ask your teacher for a code. |
all |
free |
Hoopla |
Borrow 5 digital or audio books a month with a SC public library card. Download the app. |
all |
free |
Libby |
Borrow digital and audio books with a SC public library card. Download the app. |
all |
free |
Open Library |
Digital and audio books to borrow |
all |
free |
Math, Computer Science and Coding
Santa Cruz Education Foundation
The SCEF website includes information on the new Computer Science for All grant.
Resource |
Description |
Ages |
Cost |
Standards based gamified math challenges. Website and app. |
6+ |
free |
|
Gamified math problems in an adventure world |
5+ |
1 month free then $12/mo |
|
Comic book style math curriculum |
8-13 |
$15/month or $100/ year |
|
Learn to code simple games, apps and computer drawings. |
4+ |
free |
Science, Nature and Outdoors
Resource |
Description |
Ages |
Cost |
Grade level, standards based science lessons |
5-11 |
$59/ year |
|
Articles, videos, games and more. |
5-11 |
free |
|
LOCAL Outdoor/ nature education program |
5+ |
paid |
Art, Music and Dance
Resource |
Description |
Ages |
Cost |
LOCAL kids studio. Pick-up craft kits for at home projects. |
3+ |
varies |
|
Online kids art classes |
4-10 |
varies |
|
Dallas Museum of Art Family Program |
Kids art activities and projects |
8-13 |
free |
LOCAL: Art and STEM virtual classes |
4+ |
varies |
Physical, Yoga & Mindfulness
Resource |
Description |
Ages |
Cost |
Fun, engaging yoga and mindfulness meditations on YouTube channel |
3+ |
free |
|
Dances, songs and games to keep kids moving indoors. |
4+ |
free |
Learn to Type
Resource |
Description |
Ages |
Cost |
Learn to type program with embedded games but no countdown timers for a relaxed learn to type experience. |
6+ |
free |
|
Learn to type program starting with the very basics. Includes timed activities. |
6+ |
free |
|
Typing games including two player games to play against friends. |
6+ |
free |
Virtual Fieldtrips: Museums, Zoos etc.
Museums |
Description |
Ages |
Cost |
Variety of engaging kids activities |
5+ |
free |
|
Virtually walk through the museum exibits including the dinosaur exibit |
5+ |
free |
Zoos |
Description |
Ages |
Cost |
Meet the animals at the National Zoo |
all |
free |
Other |
Description |
Ages |
Cost |
PORTS (State Parks Online) |
Virtual fieldtrips both on-demand and live from CA State Parks. |
all |
free |
Other Fun Stuff
Resources |
Description |
Ages |
Cost |
LOCAL: Learn to play chess or improve your game |
6+ |
varies |
Articles and Additional Reading
Talking to Kids About Race
How To Weave Growth Mindset Into School Culture (KQED News, October, 2015) http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/10/02/how-to-weave-growth-mindset-into-school-culture/
While this article focuses on a high school, the concept of the “growth mindset” is helpful for parents to know and understand. Based on Carol Dweck’s book, “Mindset,” this concept asserts that, “understanding the first time you hear something isn’t the goal,” and “smart isn’t being right fast. It’s working through things and understanding things eventually.”
New Healthy Media Habits for Young Kids, by Caroline Knorr on the Common Sense Media Blog
This article includes links to further resources and information about studies about media and children, as well as a short list of tips.
- "Talking to Young Children about Bias and Prejudice," from the Anti-Defamation League
- "Beyond the Golden Rule: A Parent's Guide to Preventing and Responding to Prejudice," from Teaching Tolerance
- "How to talk to your kids about the violence in Charlottesville," from the L.A. Times
How To Weave Growth Mindset Into School Culture (KQED News, October, 2015) http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/10/02/how-to-weave-growth-mindset-into-school-culture/
While this article focuses on a high school, the concept of the “growth mindset” is helpful for parents to know and understand. Based on Carol Dweck’s book, “Mindset,” this concept asserts that, “understanding the first time you hear something isn’t the goal,” and “smart isn’t being right fast. It’s working through things and understanding things eventually.”
New Healthy Media Habits for Young Kids, by Caroline Knorr on the Common Sense Media Blog
This article includes links to further resources and information about studies about media and children, as well as a short list of tips.
Updated October 2020