Reading is by far the most important skill that people need to master. Contrary to what some people think, reading is not just about pronouncing words correctly (although that is important). No, reading is about making sense of what the words that are being read mean. To that end we talk about students being able to Predict, Visualize, Question, Connect, Identify, Infer and Evaluate the author's intent for writing the selection. Making meaning is the goal of engaged readers!
I use the "Lucy Calkins Units of Study for Teaching Reading" program. This research based workshop approach to reading instruction is an intentional way to guide youngsters along the path to becoming better readers. If you want to know more about the program you can visit http://tc.readingandwritingproject.com/ This website is run by the Reading and Writing Institute at Columbia Teachers College in New York City. While it is primarily geared towards educators it does give an overview of the program.
Other useful websites
http://web.mac.com/happyreader/iWeb/Happy%20Reader/Home.html This website was created by Lara Parent, the former reading specialist for Holland Public Schools. It contains a wealth of great information for parents and kids.
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/ready-go-book-lists-teachers This website has book lists organized by grade and by genre. Scholastic has many other resources on its pages, have your student explore!
If you have attended any of my meetings you know that I am a firm believer in Caregivers as partners in the education of their child. In fact, research shows that parental involvement in their child's education is the number one predictor of a child's success later in life (but you already knew that didn't you?) Please continue to read with your child for 10-15 minutes every night.
A very powerful way to improve reading skills is to use a timer and follow this procedure:
-Set the timer for 3-5 minutes and read out loud to your child from the book they are currently reading for pleasure. (You are modeling correct reading.)
-Reset the timer for 3-5 minutes and have your child read out loud to you from the place you stopped. (Listening to your child should give you some insight into how they read.)
-Reset the timer again for 3-5 minutes and have a discussion with your child about what you both just read. Can your child make any predictions about what is going to happen next? Do they have any questions or are they confused by anything in the book so far? Are they "Making a Movie" in their mind as they read? What do the characters look like? Can they describe the setting of the selection (What does it look, sound, smell, taste or feel like?) How do they attack words they don't know or figure out situations that they are unfamiliar with? Do they make connections to their own life experiences with those of the characters in the book or connections to other books they have read or movies they have seen?
Using the above procedure will help your child become not just a better reader but an all around better thinker!
I use the "Lucy Calkins Units of Study for Teaching Reading" program. This research based workshop approach to reading instruction is an intentional way to guide youngsters along the path to becoming better readers. If you want to know more about the program you can visit http://tc.readingandwritingproject.com/ This website is run by the Reading and Writing Institute at Columbia Teachers College in New York City. While it is primarily geared towards educators it does give an overview of the program.
Other useful websites
http://web.mac.com/happyreader/iWeb/Happy%20Reader/Home.html This website was created by Lara Parent, the former reading specialist for Holland Public Schools. It contains a wealth of great information for parents and kids.
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/ready-go-book-lists-teachers This website has book lists organized by grade and by genre. Scholastic has many other resources on its pages, have your student explore!
If you have attended any of my meetings you know that I am a firm believer in Caregivers as partners in the education of their child. In fact, research shows that parental involvement in their child's education is the number one predictor of a child's success later in life (but you already knew that didn't you?) Please continue to read with your child for 10-15 minutes every night.
A very powerful way to improve reading skills is to use a timer and follow this procedure:
-Set the timer for 3-5 minutes and read out loud to your child from the book they are currently reading for pleasure. (You are modeling correct reading.)
-Reset the timer for 3-5 minutes and have your child read out loud to you from the place you stopped. (Listening to your child should give you some insight into how they read.)
-Reset the timer again for 3-5 minutes and have a discussion with your child about what you both just read. Can your child make any predictions about what is going to happen next? Do they have any questions or are they confused by anything in the book so far? Are they "Making a Movie" in their mind as they read? What do the characters look like? Can they describe the setting of the selection (What does it look, sound, smell, taste or feel like?) How do they attack words they don't know or figure out situations that they are unfamiliar with? Do they make connections to their own life experiences with those of the characters in the book or connections to other books they have read or movies they have seen?
Using the above procedure will help your child become not just a better reader but an all around better thinker!