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                    TIPS TO ASSIST YOUR CHILD WITH READING AT HOME

    Having children read at home for pleasure or for information is a vital component to becoming a life-long learner.  There are times that children need to just sit and read for pleasure.  There are also times when children are reading with intent.  This means that they are purposefully reading.  When children are purposefully reading it is very helpful for an adult to be with the child during reading.  If a child is a reader this means that he/she comprehends what is being read.  Some children read every word on the page but do not have any idea what the story or paragraph was about.  This is not reading.  Reading occurs with a combination of correct word calling and an understanding of what the story or paragraph was about.

    There are some strategies that can be used to help students become thoughtful readers.  Comprehension does not just occur after the story is read.  Students need to talk to themselves while they are reading to make connections. 

    To aid their comprehension, children need to ask themselves questions before, during, and after they read. You can help your child become more proficient by modeling this process for them and encouraging them to use it when they read independently.

    BEFORE   

    "What clues does the title give me about the story?"

    "Is this a real or imaginary story?"                                               
    "Why am I reading this?"
    "What do I already know about___?"
    "What predictions can I make?"

    DURING 

    ·         Being aware of why they are reading the text

    ·         Previewing and making predictions

    ·         Reading selectively

    ·         Making connections and associations with the text based on what they already know

    ·         Refining predictions

    ·         Using context to identify unfamiliar words

    ·         Rereading

    ·         Reviewing important points in the text

    ·         Considering how the information might be used in the future

    ·         Making connections to yourself and making connections to the world around you

     

    AFTER   

    "What is this story about?"
    "What does the main character want?"
    "Will she get it?" "If so, how?"

    "What is the meaning of what I have read?"
    "Why did the author end the paragraph (or chapter, or book) in this way?"
    "What was the author's purpose in writing this?"

    ·         Clarify the author's intent

    ·         Clarify meaning

    ·         Help them make inferences (Readers who make inferences use the clues in the text along with their own experiences to help them figure out what is not directly said, making the text personal and memorable. Helping students make texts memorable will help them gain more personal pleasure from reading, read the text more critically, and remember and apply what they have read.)

    ·         Help them make predictions

    ·         Help them make connections to other texts or prior  knowledge (schema, relevant background knowledge, prior knowledge, or just plain experience)

    ·         Help them to relate story sequence;  character, plot story, climax and resolution