Lisa Feldner, Reading Specialist


What is a Book?
A book is pages, pictures and words
A book is animals, people and birds
A book is stories of kings and queens
Poems and songs –so many things!
Curled in a corner where I can hide
With a book I can journey far and wide
Though it's only paper from end to end
A book is a very special friend.
By Lora Daunt

Reading at Home
Reading at home should be a positive experience for both you and your child. Providing time to read and having books available are keys to your child's reading success. Your child can learn a great deal about reading from hearing you read aloud as well as from reading to you.
To help your child choose a book that is "Just Right" encourage him or her to:

  • Read the back of the book and ask, "Does it sound interesting?"
  • Look at the table of contents and ask, Can I predict what may happen in the book?"
  • Talk to someone who has read the book and ask, "Would you recommend it?"
  • Flip through the book, looking at the print, pictures, and organization, and ask, "Does it look like a book that will keep my interest?"
  • Read the first page and ask, "Is it written in a way that is interesting to me?" and "Are there too many words that I don't understand?"

Book recommendations can be found at http://www.planetesme.com/.

 

Strategies to Encourage While Reading

  • Read back. When you begin to read, reread the page or two that you finished reading yesterday. This will help you remember what is happening in the story.
  • Go back and reread a sentence that you don't understand.
  • Stop and talk about parts in the story that make you angry, surprise you, remind you of something that has happened to you, or remind you of another book.
  • Listen for clues that tell you what may happen next.
  • Stop and think for a minute about what you have just read.

Talking About Books at Home
Talking about books and reading is an important part of your child's learning.
Below are some questions to help you get started in conversations about books and reading.

  • Why did you choose this book?
  • What do you think will happen next?
  • Which part of the text makes you think that?
  • Does this book remind you of anything that has ever happened to you?
  • What have you been wondering as you read this?
  • Does this book make you think of anything else you have read?
  • Were there any words or phrases in your reading you really liked? Which ones?
  • What has been your favorite part of the book so far? Why?
  • Here a part of the book that surprised you? Why?
  • Would you like to read another book by this same author? Why or Why not?
  • Can you think of someone else you know who would like this book? Why?
  • Is this book too hard, too easy, or just right for you? How do you know?;
  • Were there any places in the book that had you confused?; Did you reread to help you understand?