The following are some strategies to help your children with his/her reading. You can go down the list with your child to help them figure out the unknown word. Is you are unclear about a particular strategy, please come talk to me. J

1.   Look for key words or picture clues

2.    Say the beginning sound of the unknown word and continue reading the rest of the sentence? What could the word be?

3.    Look and listen for letter patterns from other words you know (i.e. fish has the same ending as dish, so the sound of d + ish = dish)

4.    Look for little words in big words (i.e. sand is s + and)

5.    Read the sentence as normal filling in the missing word. Then ask, Does this make sense? If not, try again.

6.    Read it Again. Ask: Does this sound right? Did I say it right? What should it sound like?

Remember! Being able to read on grade level is the key to your child’s future success!!!

Reading Questions to Help Reading Comprehension

Your First-Grade student will be bringing a book home every Monday.  These books are for you to read with your child at least once each day of that week.  I recommend that you read the story the first time, and then help by sounding out the words letter by letter  the following times, as your child reads the story to you..  By the end of the week, your child should be able to read the book to you.

"Thinking Aloud" models different comprehension strategies that good readers use.  To help your child learn these strategies, have your child look through the pictures before reading the story for the first time and to tell you the story in his/her own words.  Then, every day that you read the book with your child, please choose at least one of the following questions to ask.

Before Reading:
- What do you think this story will be about?  Why?
- What do you already know about _________?

During Reading:
- How does [character in the story] feel right now?  Why do you think so?  How would you feel if you were this character?
- Has this [event that occurs in the story] ever happened to you?  What did you do?
- What do you think will happen next?  Why?
- Do you have any questions?

After Reading:
- What did you think would happen?  Were you right?  How do you know?
- What is the story about?  Where does the story take place?  What happens to _______?  How does the story end?
- What happened in the story that surprised you?
- What was your favorite part of the story?
- Is there any part of the story that you didn't understand?

I will always expect these books back on Friday morning.  Each week, you will need to sign the reading log that is kept in your child’s homework folder (please only sign once per week).  Your signature will indicate that you have read the story with your child every night, and that you have engaged in conversation using the above questions.  Thank you very much for your involvement in your child's education!