Reading at home should be a vital part of your child's day. Here are a few
helpful tips to help you get started:
When you are reading TO your child:
*make sure your child can see the pictures easily
*use plenty of expression, reading in a natural speaking voice
*encourage your child to predict what might happen next as the story
develops
*as you read, point to each word, sliding your finger along the text
When you are reading WITH your child:
Begin reading the story to your child at a speed your child is
comfortable with. As you read, your child will begin to pick up the pattern
of the story and read with you. Encourage your child to point to each word,
sliding a finger from word to word. When your child comes to a diffiword,
ask:
*"Look at the picture. What word would make sense?"
*"Look at the beginning letter of the word. What word would make sense
that begins with that sound?"
*"Try reading that whole sentence again. See if you can think of a word
that makes sense."
When YOUR CHILD is reading:
Your child may need you to introduce the pattern of the story by reading
aloud initially. Once your child feels comfortable reading, enjoy listening
to the story being read.
After reading:
Talk about the story and ask questions like:
*"Were there surprises?"
*"What did you like best about the character(s)?"
*"What did you like about the ending?"
*"Did the story remind you of any other story or of things that
have happended to you?"
Ask your child to retell the story in his/her own words.
BEFORE READING:
Here is how to choose a "Just Right" book:
Ask yourself these questions. If you answer YES, this book is probably
a "Just Right" book for you.
1. Is this book new to you?
2. Do you understand some of the book?
3. Are there just a few words (3-5) that you don't know?
4. When you read are some places smooth and some choppy?
5. Can someone help you with this book? Who?
Also, take the "Five-Finger Test" to choose a book.
1. Choose a book
2. Open to the middle of the book.
3. Start reading.
4. When you come to a word you don't know, put one finger down (pinky first).
Put a new finger down for each word you don't know.
5. If you put your thumb down (5 words you aren't sure about) then this book
is too hard. Choose another book.
WHILE READING:
Use the ACTIVE READING STRATEGIES to help you become a better
reader.
1. VISUALIZE: Make a movie in your head.
2. QUESTION: Ask yourself who, what, when, where, and why.
3. CLARIFY: Not sure about a word? Reread the words you just read. Look at
the pictures. CLARIFY new words.
4. PREDICT: Ask yourself "What will happen next?"
5. CONNECT: Make connections! Text to Self - Connect a book to a personal
event or feeling. Text to Text - Connect 2 books together. Text to World -
Connect a book to an outside event not directly connected to you.
6. REACT: "This book makes me feel_________!"
7. SUMMARIZE: State the most important things about the text.
What do you do when you come to a word you don't know? Use the GUESS THE
COVERED WORD STRATEGY!
1. STOP: Where is the word? Cover the word to keep your place.
2. THINK: What would make sense?
3. LOOK: How long is the word? Is the word I guessed too big or too small?
4. LISTEN: How does the word begin? What are the other letters in the word?
Check your guess. Did you guess the covered word?
Or try one of these great ideas:
1. Put your finger on the word and say all the letters.
2. Skip a word and read the rest of the sentence: Use clues within the
sentence to try and figure out the word (must use a word that makes sense).
3. Substitute with another word that makes sense.
4. Use picture clues.
5. Use text clues (boldface, type, italics, roman numerals, etc.)
6. Look at the beginning, middle, and ending sounds of the word and try to
sound it out.
7. Look for little words inside of big words.
8. Backtrack and read the sentence again.
9. Search for similarites among words you already know. The word may have
the same spelling pattern or rhyme that you know.
10. Ask someone for help.