Make the Most of Reading at Home

The most frequently asked question I get from families with a struggling reader is, "What can we do at home?"
Here is the answer: Read with your kids daily--at least ten to 15 minutes a day.  In second grade, this can be a crucial part of development. Click here to read the substantial facts about Reading at Home.

Reading a homework story is great, but it isn't the only thing you have to read.  Set up a literacy rich environment by having books and magazines in many places throughout your home.  Ask your child to read and write with you as you create a birthday party grocery list or write emails to Uncle Buck in Manitoba.

Now that you know what to do and you have the reading materials in place here are some helpful hints to keep you reading if...

There is an unknown word

• Wait.  Give them time to come up with the word using their skills.   
• Substitute other words with the same beginning, middle or ending sounds to help them make the discovery.  (For example, if they are stuck on the word "stamp." You might say this word begins the same as stop and rhymes with camp. 
• Ask them to look for the chunks--smaller parts in a word like syllables--that they may recognize.  
• Cover parts of the word to help them concentrate on one part at a time.

When they read the wrong word

• Wait.  Give them time to correct he mistake on their own.  
• Ask, "Does that word make sense?"
• Ask, "Does that sound right?" 
• Ask, "What letter does it start with, or what ending does it have?"

Finally the key to developing successful, independent readers is to give them real chances every day to be successful by allowing them to use their own skills and strategies independently.  It will take a lot patience on your part. But remember your job is to guide, to model, to provide the opportunities for success and model strategies to deal with the failures. 

Mr. Baumgarner