It's time to read!

Today is the day!

The students in my class begin their Read at Home program, which is also known as 

'Read to Someone'

Inside the front pocket of each students' 'kanga pouch' is the following letter:

Dear Parent:

We will be starting a Home Reading Program in our class starting today.  Home Reading Programs are widely used in classrooms throughout Canada. The idea behind it is that parents are a child’s first and foremost teachers. It allows the child to get a second chance to practice what they worked on during the school day.  Home Reading Programs also foster the partnership between the home and the school - a partnership that brings success for all students. We are very excited about this program and need your support for it to be successful.  A new book goes home nightly (Mon.-Fri.) The book from the school comes back the next morning and is exchanged for a new book by the child.  Help your child see their success as a reader by filling out the sheet that will be in the pouch as well.  Both the book and the sheet are brought back to school daily. Reading at home will help your child become a successful reader through your modeling and assistance.  In the beginning this reading will take about 5 to 10 minutes but will evolve to about 15 as the year progresses and the stories have a few more words.

Below is a list of strategies that you can use when reading with your child:

·       ♦  If just starting out, read to the child first. Use your finger to track as you read so that your child can use you as a role model.

·       ♦  If you feel that your child would like to start - encourage them to do so!

·       ♦  Another suggestion is for your child to read one page and then you read a page.

·       ♦  Try to have your child read the story to you. Have your child use their finger for tracking purposes when reading.

·       ♦  If your child comes to a word that they don't know...

- use the pictures to help them
- suggest they look at the first letter and make the sound of that letter
- have them skip it or use the context of the sentence to try and figure it out

I thank you ahead of time for the support you are giving your child and the school.  I hope that this home reading program will allow you to see how your child is developing their reading skills.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at sherrym@eics.ab.ca.

Sincerely,

How to do it

1.     Pick a book to read together (the one in their Kanga pouch and one from their book bag too). Read it slowly and spend time looking at the pictures and asking about the story.

2.    Before you start to read, tell your child the name of the book and what it is about.

3.    Sit in a cozy place during story sharing. Ask your child to touch the book and help turn the pages.

4.    Use your finger to follow the words as you read. This will teach your

child how reading works. Point to pictures in the book that show your child who is speaking and what is happening in the story.

5.    Get creative! Change your voice to talk like different characters in the book. Act it out! If you are reading about a character flying, you and your child can flap your arms. You may feel silly but your child will love it!

6.    Take your time. Don't rush through the book - enjoy it! (Try not to think of the 101 things you have to get done!)

7.    Encourage your child to say important words or phrases and to make comments about the story.

8.    Talk about the story when you finish reading it. This will help your child remember characters and what happened.

9.    Talk about other books that you have read together that have similar actions, characters, or themes. For example, "The wolf in this book reminds me of the wolf in the Three Little Pigs."

10.  Keep your child involved. Ask your child to name the things he/she sees in the book or predict what might happen next. (Adapted from Homespun, 1992)

Please read with your kiddo tonight and each and every night.  It is absolutely alright to read to them first, then perhaps partner read and if your child is ready, they might read on their own.  If not, then have them 'parrot' which is you read first and then they point to the words and read right after you.

This is just the beginning of a very exciting journey for your child.  The best both you and I can do is believe in them so that they can believe in themselves.  Don't worry....they will get there!  It's the biggest and best change you will see in your child this year!

REMEMBER:  Fill in the sheet and send back the book so it can be exchanged each and every day!