Here are some ways your child can experience success in reading. Remember,
you were your child's first teacher and what you do, they will do. So if
they see you enjoy reading, they will likely pick up on the importance of
reading and more than likely enjoy reading too. This will help in all areas,
science, social studies, etc.
Help your child choose a book that the student is interested in and one that
is on an appropriate reading level will help bring about reading success. We
will be using the Accelerated Reader Program school-wide. Using the AR
program, your child will choose a book based on a STAR score. The STAR test
is a computer test which helps your child determine a book that is on the
right level for each individual.
An example of a reading range will look like this: 4.1-4.9, meaning the
beginning of fourth grade up to the end of fourth. Until the AR program is
established and check out can begin, please have your child use the five
finger rule explained below.
We use the five finger rule in class. The child chooses a book and
reads a paragraph or page. If five words are missed during this time, the
choice needs to be reevaluated for a better fit, academically. This way,
reading is seen as enjoyable and not a chore. My goal for your
child is for them to become lifelong readers and enjoy a good book! At least
30 minutes of reading time is suggested for a 4th grader. If your child is
not at the 30 minute level yet, have them read for 10 minutes and gradually
increase the time. If they need a short break, allow them one.
Every day it is possible, let your child read to you, stopping after a few
paragraphs or lines to ask questions about what is being read. This goes a
long way to developing reading skills. It also helps when they see you read.
Have your child keep a small notebook handy or slip a piece of paper in the
book to jot down notes, characters, and main ideas help the student recall
details of what has been read. It is important for the student to take an AR
test no longer than a day after a book has been completed. We will all take a
practice test in class, so the children will understand it more.
Discuss setting, facts in the story, characters, and other story parts.
Older students should be self correcting. That means when they come to a
word, they should read for meaning and correct the word if needed. When
listening to a child read and a part is read incorrectly, have the child
stop after ending the sentence and ask if that sounded right and looked
right. Then discuss what word might need to be changed. If the child is
really struggling, help by choosing an easier selection.
These tips will help develop a love of reading and help build comprehension
and reading skills.
For children of all ages, here's a great suggestion. You can help by letting
them make letter combinations or "chunks" like consonant blends or endings
like ing and ed (st,bl,str,tr etc.) in their favorite flavor of pudding or
some other medium really helps to reinforce spelling strategies. When
children "see it, say it, and write it," using all three will reinforce
skills.Blend chunks together, like the syllables im, por,tant. With practice,
your child will become a more fluent reader.
