Power of Pictures

“A Talent For Quiet” – Guardian Angel Publishing on BeThereBedtimeStories.com

I was recently co-teaching in a middle school classroom where the teacher reminded his students that looking at pictures is not a bad thing. I thought it very insightful of him to anticipate that his students might feel this way. They may think that lingering over pictures is babyish or considered “cheating” because it is easy to do. In fact, it is a very powerful reading strategy that comes very naturally to most of us as we are visual creatures.

It would be a huge lost opportunity if students don’t take in the visuals that are on a page before reading the text. Kids seem to go to pictures more easily the younger they are, and then, as they get older, they seem to want to prove that they can just rely on the actual text. So whatever age your young reader is, encourage them to take full advantage of all that photos, pictures or visuals have to add to the page.  

 

“What If…” – Illumination Arts Publishing on BeThereBedtimeStories.com

A Case for Repeated Readings

Many young children who are being read to, prefer to read the same book over and over again.  If you are not living this out right now, you most likely remember how you were on your umpteenth reading of George and Martha, (or something of the like) and you would give anything for your child to pick ANYTHING else off the bookshelf for you to read.  Turns out those little tykes had something there.

"When Mama Reads to Me" - Be There Creative Works on BeThereBedtimeStories.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One strategy teachers use in classrooms from kindergarten to 12^th grade is repeated readings.  This is a research proven strategy that allows students to build reading fluency which leads to reading comprehension.  Reading fluency includes the usual suspects of reading accurately and at an appropriate rate.  But it also includes  cadence (rhythm), tone and expression.  Reading aloud is a sophisticated skill and students learn to master all these things while being read to and also being allowed to read passages or books over and over.

Having your student re-read passages allows them to eventually master all of these components of fluency.  The next time you are reading with your child, ask him/her to re-read a section.  You could even read it to them and model fluency for them.  When they re-read a passage, it gives you the opportunity to point out what they did better the second time through.  Everyone likes instant gratification and that will build their motivation to work on their reading, no matter what their level of expertise.  Try it and let me know      how it goes!

Grow a Reader!

It is springtime! We are thawing out from a cold winter here in the midwest. We are approaching our frost-free date which is May 15th. This is the day we wait for before planting any annuals or vegetable gardens. It is advised to hold off on planting anything outdoors in order to avoid any overnight frosts that may do harm to our new little projects.

I also continue to grow my little readers inside the house as well. That is something I can do year round! Did you know that reading is different than word calling? Some children can word call beautifully, sounding out words and pronouncing them correctly, but without comprehending what they are reading it is not going to help them in school or in life. It is a domino effect. If kids have limited ability to comprehend what they read, they won’t have an opportunity to connect with it. Consequently, they will not find the act of reading enjoyable. They will avoid doing it and then get little practice in reading. They will be a frustrated reader and their reading growth will be stagnant and go nowhere.

There are many simple things parents can do as they read to or with their child. In the weeks to come, here at the Fablers Forum, look for simple reading strategies that are easy to use at home with your children every time you read. Incidentally, a very parent friendly read on reading comprehension is 7 Keys to Comprehension; How to Help Your Kids Read It and Get It! By Susan Zimmermann and Chryse Hutchins.