SCHOOL SENSE: How to Help Your Child Succeed in Elementary School

Most parents, despite their best intentions, are ill equipped to help their children devise pie charts, write book reports, stick to a homework schedule, calm themselves before taking tests, take notes and deal with the many other potentially intimidating aspects of elementary school education. That's where Chin's valuable book comes in: the author, who founded EdBoost, a nonprofit corporation that provides educational services to families, has a dozen years of experience researching tutoring and education, and her extensive knowledge adds an authoritative edge to this handbook, which primarily deals with academics but also covers discipline and other social aspects of elementary school. Chin's first solo effort after coauthoring Tutoring Matters explains virtually everything parents need to know to help their kids flourish from kindergarten to their departure for middle school. Chapters focus on choosing a school; getting involved (in parent-teacher conferences, volunteering, etc.); helping with homework, reports and projects; pursuing enrichment activities parents and children can do at home; and handling special situations, like gifted and talented education and learning disabilities. Chin takes a "more is more" approach, and she acknowledges that parents should take her recommendations with a grain of salt. But even if they adhere to just a portion of her sage, sincere advice, children will benefit. (Aug.)