• boywithbooks Language Artsgirlwithbooks

    General Goals
     
    Each child will: 

     1)  develop a high interest in reading and writing. 
     2)  become increasingly familiar with the language and the patterns found in various types of 
           literature. 
     3)  discover and build skills, strategies, and concepts through his/her direct interaction with  
           books and other forms of print. 
     4)  build a sense of story that will enhance and improve listening and reading comprehension. 
     5)  acquire more independence with improved self-monitoring and self-correcting behaviors. 
     6)  maintain confidence and a belief in his/her own abilities to read and write.

     

     

    These Goals Will be Accomplished Through:

     1)  instruction based on Phonics Units of Study, Making Meaning, & Words Their Way Programs. 
     2)  reading aloud to the children from various forms of literature. 
     3)  shared reading experiences using big books, song charts, 
          recipe charts, poem charts, etc. 
     4)  shared reading using the children’s own stories recorded in books, on wall stories, 
          on the computer, etc. 
     5)  guided reading activities. 
     6)  silent independent reading with progress checked in 
          individual reading conferences with the teacher. 
     7)  journal writing and journal sharing. 
     8)  writing workshop. 
     9)  modeled reading and writing. 
    10) dictation activities. 
    11) author studies.

     
     You Can Make A Difference!
    Use these strategies to help your child be a better reader!
     
    - Talk about the story. Encourage your child to predict what the story might be about and what might happen next. 

    When your child comes to a word he/she does not know:

    • Stay CALM and remain PATIENT!!
    • Ask helpful questions that focus on the meaning of the story first!
    • Follow the Fix-Up Strategies below: 
     
    eagle Eagle Eyes: Look at the picture

    kangaroo

    		Skippy Kangaroo: Skip the work and read on
    elephant Elmer Elephant: Use a work that would make sense

    monkey

    		Chunky Monkey: Look for little words inside the word
    buddybob Buddy Bob: Ask for a friend to help
    fish Lips the Fish: Look at the first letter. Think of the first sound

     

     

    cow Moo the Cow: Take a guess and "moo"ve on
    snake S-t-r-e-t-c-h-y Snake: Stretch the word out slowly. Put the sounds together slowly
    dolphin Flippy the Dolphin: Try another vowel sound if the other one does not sound right, try the short vowel sound instead of the long vowel sound.

    Other Strategies:

    • Reread the sentence.
    • Predict a word and check it by looking at the letters.
    • Go back to where the word was read before.
     

    Encourage your child’s ability to catch and correct his/her own mistakes.
     When your child makes a mistake, bite your tongue!

    •  Allow your child the time to finish reading to the end of the sentence. When the words do not make sense, he/she should attempt to correct the mistake independently. This will assist the child in developing the important skill of self- correction.
    •   If your child continues without attempting to correct a mistake, this is the time to   intervene. Say, “You read________(repeating exactly what was read) and ask, “Did that make sense to you?” or “Are you happy with that?”
     
    Keep all reading experiences POSITIVE!!  Don’t allow your eagerness for your child’s success rush, pressure, or frustrate him/her. Stay in tune with  your mood and attitude, so negative feelings do not creep into this special time. 
     
    Relax and enjoy every step your child is taking during his/her journey into literacy. 

    READ, READ, READ to your child!!!  An entire book could be written on reasons why you should read to your children regardless of age or level.  In fact, Jim Trelease has done just that.  We highly recommend your reading his best seller The New Read Aloud Handbook.  It is a fabulous guide.
     

    Reading Fluency


    There are four components to reading fluently.

    • Read smoothly
    • Read in phrases, instead of word by word
    • Use expression
    • Use punctuation
       
      Please help your child practice reading aloud throughout the year to achieve fluency!!!
      What is fluency?
      The ability to read aloud effortlessly and with expression. 
      Fluency is NOT simply reading fast!!!

      Why is achieving fluency important? 
      It provides a bridge between word recognition and comprehension.  When we read aloud, we are reading to entertain others. 
      When anyone reads fluently, listening to them read is enjoyable! 

      How can I help my child practice to achieve fluency?
      The Latest Research Says…Remember these pointers while reading aloud.
     
     
     
    • Model “fluent” reading to your child.
    • Use books or passages (50-150 words) that are EASY for your child to read.
    • Reread these books or passages over and over again.
      A minimum of four re-readings is recommended.
    • Ideas for repeated re-readings at home:
    • Partner or Paired Reading
      Oral reading shared. Adult and child agree on the amount each one will read
      per "turn for reading." Then parent and child take turns reading the decided amount.
    • Choral Reading
      Parent and child read together at the same time the same text, "chorally."
    • Echo Reading
      Adult reads one sentence aloud modeling fluent reading.
      Child "echo reads" that same sentence after the parent.