Reading Rockets

Reading Rockets HomeReading Rockets is a great reading website that has a special section just for parents. In Reading Tips for Parents, there are some terrific ideas for encouraging literacy with your child. Although these links are labeled for first and second graders, the strategies could be used for any age. These tips are easy to implement now and into the summer. Have fun!

Reading Tips for First Graders            Reading Tips for Second Graders

Rereading Books

photoPreviously, I have written about rereading as a way to figure out tricky words. Rereading is also a powerful way to build comprehension. I recently read a blog post by Vicki Vinton, a writer and literacy consultant in NYC schools. She describes the importance of rereading as a “drafting and revising” process. The first time through a story, readers are figuring out words and getting the feel of a story. Reading that same story a second or third time allows new understandings to unfold. Readers discover details that are significant that they hadn’t noticed before. This comprehension is extremely valuable to developing readers.

You can encourage this by having your child read books two or three times, stopping throughout to discuss “Why” or “How” questions. You can also make comparisons between characters and other stories that you have read together. This will help strengthen their comprehension and model how readers ask these questions before, during, and after reading. Rereading a story is like visiting with an old friend, you may find out things that you never knew before!

Happy reading!

Compare & Contrast

bom-compareWith Michigan adopting the Common Core Standards, new emphasis is being placed on deeper comprehension. First and second graders are expected to compare and contrast different aspects of the stories they read. Recently, first graders have stretched their thinking by comparing and contrasting characters and their adventures. Second graders have extended this skill as they studied different versions of familiar folktales. As they compare and contrast, students support their answers with evidence from their reading. This strengthens problem solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills which are important to successful reading. Even more importantly, talking and sharing about books is fun! You can engage in these conversations with your child by asking, “Which of these two characters are alike or different?” or “How is this story the same or different from that story?” and “What made you think that?” By doing this, you can help develop your child’s comprehension. Happy reading!

 

 

A Reason to Read

We have officially entered the busy season! With the time change, spring sports begin, bikes are brought out of storage, and life just gets busier. However, now more than ever, it is important that you set aside time for your child to read every night. Here is an interesting comparison that shows how those daily reading minutes can result in valuable learning. Please help make reading a priority for your child.

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Book Box Alert!

photolaneyDo you know where your child’s book box is? This book box is an important part of our reading program because it provides a safe place to store just right books for your child. By now, your child has brought home 5-10 books from our reading class. In order to keep your child engaged in reading at home, these books can be part of your home library. This week, many students will be bringing home a new book to add to their collection. Students’ homework is to read this book to at least 2 people in their family and then put the book in their book box. If you can’t find the book box, that’s ok! Just use another box and establish this important habit of reading.