Reading Tip For November

Read the Comics

Reading the comics is one of my fondest childhood memories.  Every Sunday my family would read the entire section of the comics together.  This is such a great family activity that will also help build your child's reading skills.  Read them aloud, and often -- repetition is a great way to build fluency and other reading strategies. Soon, your child will look forward to Sunday mornings as much as I did!

www.scholastic.com

Reading Tip for October

Once is Not Enough

Encourage your child to re-read favorite books and poems. Re-reading helps kids read more accurately.  This will also help your child build fluency and expression!

http://www.readingrockets.org

READING TIP for September

    Recognizing Story Elements

Most stories have five basic elements. Students (as early as kindergarten) learn to identify these five components.

Characters:  Every story has a main character.

Setting:  This is where the story takes place.

Plot:  The events that take place in the story. 

Problem:  Every story has a problem or conflict to solve.

Resolution:  The solution to the problem usually occurs at the end of the story.

Try using these words before, during and after reading with your child.  This will help your child better understand the story structure and improve comprehension.

Week Number 1 Was Fun

What a great week!  I met with my students for the first time last Monday. We began by learning rules and expectations.  All students were asked at that time to read every night with a family member and complete a daily book log!   So far my students have given 100%!  Thank you to all of our Greenbrier families for promoting daily reading at home!

Summer Reading Tips

• Read aloud to your reader. As school-aged children become better readers, parents often stop reading aloud to them. However, by reading more difficult books aloud to your reader, you help him learn new vocabulary words, concepts, and ways of telling stories or presenting information. You also enjoy the closeness of sharing a book with your child.

• Set aside a consistent time each day for reading. Depending on your family’s schedule, reading time might be in the morning, afternoon or before bed. Whatever time you choose, stick to it, but also remember that flexibility around trips and special family events is OK.

• Take books along on outings. Pack books in your beach bag or picnic basket, and bring a stack on long car rides. You and your child can enjoy books together anywhere you go this summer.

• Help your child select books at a comfortable level. Listen to your child read. If he reads smoothly, uses expression and can accurately tell you what he read, the book is probably at a comfortable level. If you are having troubling judging, consult your local children’s librarian, who is likely to be an expert at matching books to readers. In addition, teach your child to use the “rule of thumb” in selecting books: if he makes five or more errors in reading a page of about 50 words, the book is too challenging.

• Allow your child to choose books for summer reading. While it is important for your child to complete reading required by his school, it is equally important for him to read about topics that interest him, whether it is insects, dragons or a favorite fiction series.

www.pbs.org/parents/education/reading-language/reading-tips

Reading Tip For May

Fluency

Fluency is defined as the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression. In order to understand what they read, children must be able to read fluently whether they are reading aloud or silently. When reading aloud, fluent readers read in phrases and add intonation appropriately. Their reading is smooth and has expression.

What parents can do to help at home:

• Support and encourage your child when reading.

• Check with your child's teachers to find out their assessment of your child's word decoding skills and fluency.

• If your child can decode words well, help him or her build speed and accuracy by reading aloud and matching his voice to yours.

• Have your child practice reading the same list of words, phrase, or short passages several times.

• Remind your child to pause between sentences and phrases.  Pay close attention to punctuation marks.

• Read aloud to your child to provide an example of how fluent reading sounds.

• Give your child books with predictable vocabulary and clear rhythmic patterns so the child can "hear" the sound of fluent reading as he or she reads the book aloud.

• Use online websites, such as Tumblebooks and have your child follow along with the reader.

www.readingrockets.org