The Rentz Review

My name is Brenda Rentz. I have an Education Specialist Degree in Early Childhood Education from Valdosta State University.  I have been at Wacona teaching third grade for 21 years.  Before coming to Wacona, I taught 4th grade at Bacon County Elementary in Alma.
 
 

	My husband is Tony Rentz and he works with the Jones Company.  We are active members of Central Baptist Church. We have three children:  Anthony, Eric, and Laura.  All three of them are college graduates.  I am very proud of my children and grandchildren.
Anthony graduated from Georgia Tech and is a Civil Engineer.  His business (Rentz Engineering and Design) is here in Waycross.  He is married to Chrissie Dickerson and they have two boys, Caleb is 3 and Greyson is 5 months.  Chrissie is a stay at home mom.
	Eric is a graduate of Georgia Southern University.  He is a minister and is the pastor of Ludowici First Baptist Church.  His wife’s name is Sandi and she is also a third grade teacher in Ludowici.  They have two sons and a daughter.  Seth is 7 and is in the second grade.  Caroline is 5 and she is in PreK.  Garrison is 3 and goes to day care.  They live in Jesup.
Laura graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in Theatre.  She spent 3 years in New York City.  She returned to Waycross in 2006 and is a 7th grade teacher at Ware County Middle School.  She is married to Robby Setser.

 I am looking forward to another great year in third grade.  There are many skills to master.  It is my desire for your child to achieve to their greatest potential.  Please stay in touch.  A great way to get in touch is to send me an e-mail. Volunteers are needed and join us for lunch when you can.  Working together will ensure that your child has a productive year in third grade. 

We have a spelling test every Friday. 
We also use guides for you to study in science and social studies.

Parents

Parents are the most influential teachers in the lives of their children.  It is vital for parents to be actively involved in their children’s early literacy development.

There are many ways parents can foster literacy development early on.  Here are some guidelines based upon the recommendations from the National Reading Panel (2000).  These guidelines are ways parents can create a home environment that supports literacy development in young children:

· Encourage your child to use literacy in meaningful and purposeful ways.  Some examples include helping parents make shopping lists, drawing and writing thank-you notes, looking at road maps while planning a family vacation, etc..

· The family should visit the public library and bookstores frequently.  The children should be encouraged to check out materials, such as books, toys, tapes, and CD ROMs.

· Read together daily.  Read to your child, with you child, and have your child read to you.

· Read a variety of material ( Magazines, newspapers, short stories, signs, labels, even the cook book).

· Create a print-rich environment.   Keep reading and writing materials handy.

· Play language games, such as rhyming, tongue twisters and poems.  Sing songs together.

· Practice identifying letters in the alphabet and point them out wherever you see them.  For example, identify the golden arches of McDonalds as the letter M.

· Encourage your child to write and draw.  Make the connection between oral language and text.

· Set the example for your child and be a reader and writer yourself.  Improve speech by extending and modeling. 

· Give them praise for their hard work and accomplishments.  They deserve it!