READERS AND WRITERS 

                                                                                                                                                                                    

Each of your children are talented readers and writers, they just may not know it yet.  Through the course of our time together, it will be my job to help your child become stronger readers as well as help them find their voice as writers.  Below please find a list of some things you can do at home to help your child become better readers and writers. 

 

 

                                                                                                                                            WRITING                

"Most of the basic material a writer works with is acquired before the age of fifteen." ~ Willa Cather

 

1.  Look over your child's writing with them! Notice and praise the growth your child is making as a writer.

 

2. Encourage your child to bring the writer's notebook whenever they go on family outings. Whether it's to grandma's house, a baseball game or park, there will be plenty to notice, wonder and writer about.

 

3. Let your children see you write for pleasure. Send letters or emails to family and friends.  Ask your children for their input in the letters and even include an illustration.

 

4. When you're riding in the car together, tell your child a story about when you were little or tell them about something that happened at work during the day.   Leave off the ending and allow your child's creativity to show through by creating the ending themselves.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                  READING                 

   "Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are." ~Mason Cooley

 

1. Make a family book, website or blog that is a collection of stories: favorite stories retold generation after generation or stories about family events (your favorite birthday party, holiday, etc.).  Anytime that stories are recorded, your child can read them to an older or younger member of the family.

 

2. Help your child find their favorite reading spot.  It's important that your child have a reading spot that is their own; a place where they can read alone with very little distractions.  Put a basket of books near this spot along with crayons, markers, paper, pencils and erasers to help encourage writing as well.

 

3. Read aloud daily to your child. Talk about the pictures.  Make predictions as you read and see if they come true.  Read aloud parts of a chapter-book before bedtime.

 

4. Visit bookstores and libraries with your child.  Window shop as you pass a bookstore, look at the cover of the book and imagine the storylines inside.  Then, go inside and see if your predicions are right.

 

 

 

 

 

LOOKING TO FIND A "JUST RIGHT" BOOK ON YOUR CHILD'S LEVEL...

 

Directions below-

 

1. Visit www.scholastic.com

 

 

2. Click on the "Book Wizard" tab on the left side of the homepage.

 

 

3.Look for the subheading- "Select a Reading Level System".  Once found, click on the drop down menu and be sure to select, "Guided Reading".

 

 

4. Now you are ready! Within the search bar, type in the title or author of the book you are looking to  level for your child.

 

 

5. The level of the book will be found next to the phrase- "Guided Reading"

 

 

6. If the level is not available,please encourage your child to bring the book to class and I will find the level for him/her.