This year we will be doing the PAF spelling program. There will not be a weekly list of words to be studied and tested weekly. The spelling will be embedded in the class instruction and testing done as dictation during class lessons.

You will find spelling activities and games on my web site of typical first grade words that can be used to reinforce proper spelling of the most frequently used second grade words.

Choosing a book is an important skill that children need to become good readers. Children who find a book that’s just right for them are able to engage with the text without becoming mired by difficult words or concepts. This allows them to be free to ask questions, make predictions and inferences, and make connections to their own experiences. Remind your child that finding a book that is just right can be difficult and they should not feel discouraged if they think a book is too hard. Not every book is appropriate for everyone.

Book recommendations can come from teachers, family members, librarians, booksellers, and friends. Many classes participate in book clubs where students can swap books or have exposure to a wide range of books. Children learning at home can find book reviews written by other children online. Even children’s magazines offer book suggestions for different reading levels. Encourage your children to think of sources where he or she can learn about good books.

There are several ways your child can figure out if a book is just right for them. The first thing they can do is look at the title and cover. Does the title seem interesting? Most of the time, there is a summary on the back of the book or inside the book jacket. This summary provides information about the book’s subject and voice. Does the summary pique your child’s interest? Your child may enjoy books in a specific genre, such as suspense, mystery, or fantasy. Explain that libraries and bookstores divide their books based on genre and if they don’t have a title in mind, they can simply browse an area. Sometimes children become engrossed in a voluminous series and you may agonize over how to broaden their interests. Don’t worry too much, children will move to something new when they lose interest and that may be a good time to introduce a new author or genre.

Your child can also take a Picture Walk through the book by flipping through the pages and looking at the pages. Do the pictures seem interesting and engaging? After they find a book, the next step is to determine if the book is the right level.

The Five Finger Test is a quick way to determine the difficulty of a book. If you child finds five words that are too difficult for them on one page, then chances are the book is above their level. If your child finds no difficult words, then there is a good chance that the book is below their level. However, this does not mean the book is not appropriate. Your child can also read a page aloud to test the reading level. If he or she can read it smoothly then the book is most likely appropriate. Your child can also test the reading level by reading a page and trying to retell what happened in his or her own words. If they cannot summarize the page, the book may be above level.

Remind your child of the Goldilocks Rule—find a book that is not too hard, not too easy, but just right.

http://www.booknutsreadingclub.com/fivefingertest.html

The Five Finger Test

Sometimes it is difficult to know if a book is going to be too easy or too hard by just looking at it. The Five Finger test is one way to "test" a book before you spend too much time with it and get frustrated.

1. First choose the book you think you would like to read. 2. Find a page of text somewhere in the middle of the book. Find a page with lots of text (words) and few or no pictures. 3. Begin to read the page. It is best to read the page aloud or in a whisper if possible while doing the test so you can hear the places where you have difficulty. 4. Each time you come to a word you don't know, hold one finger up. 5. If you have all five fingers up before you get to the end of the page, wave the book "good-by." It is probably too difficult for you right now. Try it again later in the year. If you need help finding a book, ask your teacher or librarian. 6. If you have no fingers up when you finish the page, then the book may be an easy read for you. Use the Goldilocks' method as you read to see if the book is too easy or "just right." Enjoy! 7. If you have less than five fingers but more than one or two fingers up when you finish reading the page, the book may be just what you need to grow as a reader. Use the Goldilocks' method as you read to see if the book is a "just right" book. Enjoy!

Goldilocks' Rules for determining if a book is "Just Right"

Do you remember Goldilocks' quest in the fairy tale "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" to find the porridge, chair, and bed that were "just right"? Selecting a book can sometimes feel the same way. Just as Goldilocks found that some porridges were too hot or too cold and others were just right, beginning readers often have difficulty finding books that are "just right" and not too hard or too easy.

When you are reading a book you can try asking yourself these questions to help you find a book that is "just right" for you.

Too Easy Books As you read, ask yourself these questions. If you answer "yes" to most of the questions then the book is probably too easy for you. You can still have fun reading it, but next time try to choose a book that is a little more challenging. 1. Have you read this book many times before? 2. Do you understand the story very well without much effort? 3. Do you know and understand almost every word? 4. Can you read it smoothly and fluently without much practice or effort? Just Right Books As you read ask yourself these questions. If you answer yest to most of them then the book you are reading is probably "just right" for you. These are the books that will help you make the most progress in your reading. Read, enjoy and learn from the experience! 1. Is this book new to you? 2. Do you understand most of the book? 3. Are there a few words per page that you don't recognize or know the meaning to instantly? Remember to use the five finger test. 4. Can someone help you with the book if you hit a tough spot? Too Hard Books As you read ask yourself these questions, if you find that you answer yes to most of these questions, then the book is probably too hard for you. Don't forget about the book, try it again later. As you gain experience in choosing "just right" books, you may find when you pick the book up again that it is "just right/" 1. Are there more than a few words on a page that you don't recognize or know the meaning? Remember the five finger test. 2. Are you confused about what is happening in most of the book? 3. When you read are you struggling and does it sound choppy? 4. Is everyone busy and unable to help you if you hit a tough spot?

http://thomascranelibrary.org/summerkids/levels.html#five

The "Goldilocks Method"

The "Five Finger Method"

Genre Definitions

Goldilocks Method for determining if a book is "Just Right" for children going into Kindergarten through 3rd grade

Do you remember Goldilocks' quest to find the porridge, chair and bed that were "just right"? Selecting a book can sometimes feel the same way. Just as Goldilocks fund that some porridges were too hot or too cold and others were just right, we often have difficulty finding books that are "just right" and not too hard to too easy.


When you are reading a book you can try asking yourself these questions to help you find a book that is "just right" for you.

TOO EASY BOOKS

1. Have you read this book many times before?

2. Do you know and understand almost every word?

3. Can you read it smoothly and fluently without much practice or effort?

JUST RIGHT BOOKS

1. Is this book new to you?

2. Are there a few words per page that you don't recognize or know the meaning of instantly?

3. Can someone help you if you reach a tough spot?

TOO HARD BOOKS

1. Are there more than a few words on a page that you don't recognize or know the meaning of?

2. When you read, are you struggling and does it sound choppy?

3. Is everyone busy and unable to help you if you hit a tough spot?

Book Nuts Reading Club: Goldilocks Rule

Five Finger Method for determining if a book is right for you.

The Five Finger Method is one way to test a book before you spend too much time with it and get frustrated.

1. First choose the book you think you would like to read.

2. Find a page of text somewhere in the middle of the book. Find a page with lots of text (words) and few or no pictures.

3. Begin to read the page. It is best to read the page aloud or in a whisper if possible while doing the test so you can hear the places where you have difficulty.

4. Each time you come to a word you don't know, hold one finger up.

5. If you have all five fingers up before you get to the end of the page, wave the book "good-bye". It is probably too difficult for you right now. If you need help finding a book, ask your librarian.

6. If you have no fingers up when you finish the page, then the book may be an easy read for you.

7. If you have less than five fingers but more than one or two fingers up when you finish reading the page, the book may be just what you need to grow as a reader.

Book Nuts Reading Club: Five Finger Test

Genre Definitions for children going into 3rd grade through 8th grade

Fiction -
Stories may be based on actual events or people or may be entirely the author's imagination. However, all works of fiction contain elements made up by the author.

Fantasy -
Fiction that contains elements that are not realistic, such as talking animals, magical powers, etc.

Historical Fiction -
Stories that take place in a particular time period in the past. Often the basic setting or characters are real but the plot is made up.

Mystery -
Fictional stories about an event, which is not explained, or a crime that is not solved until the end of the story, to keep the reader in suspense.

Realistic Fiction -
Fictional stories that take place in modern time. The events that characters are involved in could really happen.

Science Fiction -
Stories are a blend of scientific fact and fictional elements, and may include futuristic technology.

Nonfiction -
All of the information in a non-fiction book is true. None of the information can be made up. Non-fiction books can be about any subject.

Biography -
The story of a real person's life, written or told by another person.

Poetry -
Verse written to create a response of thought and feeling. Rhythm and rhyme often help convey meaning.

 

Reading practice:

 

http://www.pearsonlongman.com/ae/marketing/sfesl/practicereading.html

 

http://www.starfall.com/