Ten Items to Pack in Your Mentoring Bag

After a long summer of waiting, many of you will be returning to continue your mentoring relationship with a very special child and many of you will be starting a new friendship! Anyway you look at it, this is exciting news! My goal is to pass on new ideas to you through this blog on a weekly basis. So, let’s get your mentoring bag packed for a great year! Here are some suggested items for you to include….
1. Pictures of your family and summer activities
2. Construction paper and crayons– when you are finished reading a book, let your child respond to what they have read or heard with a picture. This will help you check for comprehension. Paper and crayons can be used for simple games like tic-tac-toe or hangman. Use these supplies to make cards for family, friends and teachers througout the year.
3. Stickers– these can be used for crafts or as a simple reward when your child has worked hard.
4. Index cards– use these to make flashcards when you are learning new concepts. Be sure to make these with bright colors so it is more interesting to look at!
5. Dice– So many uses for dice! Roll them and add the numbers to practice math. Roll them to find out how many minutes you will read or do another activity. Take turns rolling them to see who can get the highest number. Roll them until you reach a certain number. Roll them to find out how many stickers your child gets.
6. Cool Whip lid and dry erase markers– this makes a great white board for you to use and it is easy to tote around! Practice spelling words, math facts, or draw on it just for fun.
7. A few favorite books– include one that your child can easily read and one that you have to read to your child
8. A spiral notebook or a journal– at the end of each day journal about your time together. Make lists together in the notebook…. My friends, Places I want to visit, My favorite things to do at school, Favorite foods. Practice reading your journal entries and lists together. Remember that you can help your child write.
9. A deck of cards….play War, Old Maid, Go Fish, Slap Jack together or use to add/subract numbers
10. A disposable camera– let your child take pictures throughout the year of the activities that you do together. You can include these in an album towards the end of the year.