Sharing of Quality Literature
A major component of the beginning stages of reading is to expose children to
quality literature. For this reason, we will frequently be reading aloud to
the students. This is a great way to extend language skills, create a love
for stories, build listening skills, extend thinking skills and develop an
understanding of story lines.
Each Friday the children will bring home a book that should be read to them.
Find a quiet time that an adult/older brother or sister can sit down with
your child. Make sure the child can see the pictures easily. Read slowly,
use expression and point to the words as they are being read. When you read,
talk about what's happening. Ask the child to predict what might happen
next. Discuss any unfamiliar vocabulary. After the story, talk about the
action in the beginning, the middle and the end, note the characters and
their feelings, relate events in the story to actual events in the child's
life, talk about the language in the book, or just share your favorite part.
Take a few minutes to use the Response Log that will be accompanying the read
aloud book. In the Response Log your child may share some type of a reaction
to the book. He/she may draw a picture of a favorite part of the story or of
a character or design a new cover for the book. The child/adult may write a
sentence or two about the book. The sentence/sentences could tell about a
favorite part or it could state how the reader and listener felt about the
book or it may state something about what the author/illustrator did that was
enjoyable. It is a journal, which will travel with the book. Readers will be
able to see what others thought about the book. Have fun with this. It does
not have to be elaborate.
