What We Are Learning

  • Students should be reading 30 minutes each day independently at home. When students finish a novel, they should move on to another. Reading consistently is the best way to improve reading comprehension! Remember your child will complete a Reading Passport this year. Your child will read at least eleven books. The projects will be done at school, but the reading of the novels will be completed at home.

    Here is some information about reading at home:

    Reading at Home

    “The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.”

    - Jim Trelease, The Read Aloud Handbook

    Reading aloud at home is proven to be the best way to help children develop a love of and find success with reading. For many families, however, reading at home can be a source of frustration and struggle, but
    it doesn’t have to be! Reading aloud is only one way reading at home can be achieved; there are many others. Here are a few useful tips to encourage your child to read, and if you need more ideas, come to the library!

    1. If your child is a reluctant reader, do not force him/her to read alone! This will only turn your child off of reading. Instead, engage in partner reading, where you share the work. You can alternate chapters, pages, or even paragraphs. A child’s listening comprehension is typically two grade levels above his/her reading compre- hension, so partner reading with confident readers will offer huge benefits as well.

    2. Find books that address your child’s interests. Does your child love cats? Video games? Skateboarding? Singing? Football? Find a biography of a famous sports figure or a “tips and tricks” book about his or her favorite video game for your child to read.

    3. Think outside the book. For many children, books can be daunting. If this is the case, start small. Find a magazine article of interest, read the instructions for a new game, or find a recipe to read and make the meal together. You can even recruit family members or friends to become pen pals with your child and exchange emails or letters. Then your child can get practice with both reading and writing in a fun and engaging way.

    4. Create a special space for reading that is free of distractions. Perhaps it is the front porch, a corner of the living room, or even a special blanket on the floor. The key is to make a comfortable place your child will want to go to when it’s time to read, whether alone or with someone else.

    5. Don’t forget about picture books! Even with older readers, picture books are a great way for children to think about, and discuss, different literary elements like character, plot, theme, setting, point of view, and conflict.

    6. Visit your school and/or public library and talk to the librarian. He/she has a wealth of knowledge and ideas.– Rachel Steiner, SLMC, Cox Mill Elementary