A brand-new title in this important series gives parents easy-to-apply methods for helping to educate their children who are starting in the second grade. It's a combination manual and advice book, suitable both for parents cooperating with their child's teachers in standard classroom settings, and for home schoolers, where parents take direct control of their child's studies. Making the Grade books are not textbooks, but practical curriculum guides. Written by authorities in elementary education, they advise parents on books, software, and other teaching tools. Each book presents guiding principles for teaching reading, writing, math, social studies, and science. Pages are perforated for multipurpose use. Each title in the series contains four curriculum sections:

* Promoting literacy-reading, writing, listening, and speaking

* Math-number patterns, problem solving, and other math-related concepts

* Science-life, earth, and physical sciences

* Social Studies-history, geography, economics, and culture

Each section outlines subject matter to be covered, augmented with planning and implementation strategies for parents and teachers. Advice includes ways to explain difficult concepts to children, suggestions for interactive learning in music and art, activities to promote hands-on learning experiences, and more. Sections titled In Your Community describe ways to integrate local cultural affairs, business activities, environmental concerns, and government functions with a child's education. Though written primarily for parents, this book will appeal to second grade teachers looking for new ideas and methods. It features maps, photos, and illustrations, many in color.