| It is very important for children to share their new reading skills with their families. It builds skills and confidence. I send home leveled readers almost every day for children to read to their parents and siblings. Here is the note I send home. |
Dear Parents,
Your child does a lot of reading in class, and I want him/her to bring some of these books to read with you and his/her siblings. Your child will gain so many skills and confidence if s/he is able to share these books with your family.
How often will my child bring a book home? - Almost every day, your child will have the opportunity to bring a practice book home. If your child really enjoys a book s/he may want to keep the book for a few days. However, as other children may be waiting for the book, please do not keep any single book for more than two or three nights. Thanks!
What can I expect? – Sometimes I will select a book and sometimes your child will select his/her own book. Kindergarten is about gaining beginning skills and confidence in reading, so your child may at first choose "easy" books or keep bringing home the same book. That is fine! Memorizing text is also part of the beginning reading process – your child needs reading to be fun and familiar sometimes to build his/her confidence. Also, adapt books to meet his/her level. If a book is too difficult for your child to read alone, help him/her go through and pick out all of the sight word s/he knows. Or, help read it to your child once, and then let him/her try. With easier books, help your child find rhyming words, words that start with the same letter, etc. Happy reading!
"What can I encourage my child to do?"
1. Picture Preview – Encourage your child to look at all the pictures before reading and discuss what s/he thinks is going to happen.
2. Use Finger - Always track text with a finger, even with memorized or "easy" books.
3. Discuss the meaning of the story – What was your favorite part? Has anything that happened in the book ever happened to you? Does the story remind you of anything in your life? Could this story happen in real life (fiction vs. nonfiction)? Would you have done the same thing this character did?
"What can I say when my child is stuck or reads a word incorrectly?"
- What can you do when you don’t know what a word is?
- Look at this list of ideas
– what can you try? [picture, first sound, chunks, etc.]
(Please keep the pink laminated sheet in book bag as a reference for your child.)
– What would make sense in the story? Does what you just said make sense?
- Could that word say "[incorrect
response]?" Check the first letter. Check the last letter.
Keep it fun and praise your child! Happy reading!