Sun May 26 2013

Reading At Home

Reading at home is a great way to share learning with your child: improving their understanding of texts, finding out more about the things they are studying at school and improving their vocabulary amongst other benefits. Pupils should become increasingly independent in their reading as they progress through school, but the discussions which occur relating to books do not have to stop because of this. 

Your child should:
  • Read every day. 15-20 minutes is a good target to aim for, but be guided by your child.
  • Keep the reading journal up to date (in Lower Years) and ready to be checked or sign in the planner to show the reading completed.
  • Reading of any kind should be encouraged, although longer books will often promote more discussion and help the child develop their ability to understand different features of texts.
Parents
  • Please try to read with your child as often as possible.
  • Talk about the reading material. It will help develop your child''s reading skills significantly.
  • Children should reflect on what they have read and make a personal response. You can encourage your child to do this by offering and explaining your own opinions about the book first.

 

 

Shared Reading at Home
Tips for Parents

A committed adult can be a crucial factor in turning a child into a fluent confident reader. As learners your children need support and encouragement. Shared reading sessions should be full of pleasure and purpose. Both of you should be actively involved - have fun.
1. Find somewhere comfortable and quiet.
2. Look through the book together. Discuss what it might be about.
3. It''s OK to re-read something. It can help a less confident reader. Build on the interest by finding books in the same series or by the same author.
4. Decide how you are going to read together, e.g. read alternate pages.
5. Try not to interrupt the reading by correcting every mistake. Always encourage your child to read for meaning. If a mistake is made which clearly doesn''t make sense, ask the child to try again. Give them time - but if they continue to struggle, just give them the word.
6. Making lots of mistakes? Change the book.
7. Discuss the book together when you have finished it. Talk about setting, event, and characters. This will help your child understand what has been read.
8. Keep sessions short and sweet. Give lots of praise.

Areas for discussion


As a book is being read you should pause and reflect on the story or illustrations. Your responses can help children gain meaning from the book. Discussion of this kind is vital for children to gain insight into texts, and thus to move beyond the literal.
When the book is finished it is important to share responses. Here are some suggestions to open up possible discussion. (Remember to justify opinions by referring to the story)
Which part of the book did you like best? Why?
Which events didn''t you like? Why?
Was there anything you didn''t understand?
Were there any parts which surprised you?
Have you read any other books like this? Tell me about them.
Which character was most interesting? Why?
What would you tell your friends about this book?