Why Your Child Should Read for 20 Minutes Every Day
Let's figure it out--mathematically!
Student A reads 20 minutes five nights of every week;
Student B reads only 4 minutes a night...or not at all!
1st: Multiply minutes a night x 5 times each week.
Student A reads 20 minutes x 5 times a week = 100 mins./week
Student B reads 4 minutes x 5 times a week = 20 minutes
2nd: Multiply minutes a week x 4 weeks each month.
Student A reads 400 minutes a month.
Student B reads 80 minutes a month.
3rd: Multiply minutes a month x 9 months/school year.
Student A reads 3600 minutes in a school year.
Student B reads 720 minutes in a school year.
Student A practices reading the equivalent of ten whole school days a year.
Student B gets the equivalent of only two school days of reading practice.
By the end of 6th grade, if Student A and Student B maintain these same
reading habits,
Student A will have read the equivalent of 60 whole school days.
Student B will have read the equivalent of only 12 school days.
One would expect the gap of information retained will have widened
considerably and so, undoubtedly, will school performance. How do you think
Student B will feel about him/herself as a student?
Think about it:
Which student would you expect to...
read better?
know more?
write better?
have a better vocabulary?
be more successful in school....and in life?
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, America Reads Challenge. (1999) "Start
Early, Finish Strong: How to Help Every Child Become a Reader." Washington,
D.C.
Dear Rising 4th graders,
I know you must be pretty excited to be in you last year of
elementary school. I am going to give you some advice on how to survive 5th
grade. First keep an organized desk. Keep writing in your assignment
planner, and pick right friends. Bad friends make you feel bad. Don�t try to
be a class clown. Strive to do your best. Never give up on your work.
Have fun.
Your friend,
Dejhana C.
Dear 4th grade,
In 5th grade you need to be really responsible about your stuff. The
teachers in 5th grade want you to be smart because when school is over for
5th grade you need to be prepared for middle school. You need to be smart
and responsible because middle school is not fun, or playing, and not a joke.
Sincerely,
5th grader
Dear up-rising Fifth Graders,
You must be excited to be in your last year of elementary. Here are
some tips. You must take notes and listen. Always write in your planner and
be good!
Good luck!
Sincerely,
Sarah K.
Dear Rising 4th Graders,
You�re probably a little nervous and excited about moving up to 5th
grade. That�s how I felt. Right now I�m going to tell you about 5th grade.
It is very easy only if you listen to your teacher. All of the
projects you do are fun and entertaining. When you have trouble, just take a
deep breath and maker your best guess. Good luck!
Sincerely,
Megan K.
Dear 4th,
You will have fun in this class. It�s pretty awesome. You�ll have a
great year if you get Miss Spearman, she�s very nice. You will enjoy her
very much. You will have the time of your life.
Sincerely,
A 5th grader
Dear Upcoming Fifth Grader,
Good luck and have fun. Fifth grade is harder than fourth so do your
best! If you get Miss Spearman you�ll have a good time but have good
behavior. She also helps get you ready for middle school.
From Old Fifth Graders
Dear New Fifth Graders,
5th grade isn�t a joke. You have to do your work and behave the
right way. Do what your teacher tells you to do no matter what your friends
tell you. I guarantee you this will be the best year. You will get a science
fair and a ton of projects. You will make new friends. Make sure you have
good handwriting! It is you last year at elementary school so be sure to
enjoy recess.
Have fun in 5th grade!
Soren P.
Dear 4th grader,
5th grade is so much fun. There are parties and games. Even though
you have more freedom, you�ll have more responsibility. Get you homework
done, get work done, and don�t sign in. When you�re in 5th grade your
teacher will expect a lot from you because you are going to be in middle
school the year after. Just think, you�ll be top dog!
Signed,
LJ
Dear 4th graders,
You will have a great time in 5th grade. Here are some things you
need to know. First of all always finish your work. You�ll have a much
better time if you don�t have to worry about work piling up on your desk.
Also, do your best on your work, don�t just rush through it. You have a lot
to look forward to like Rock Eagle and the Coneball tournament.
Good luck,
A rising 5th grader
