Home Reading Procedures

The Kindergarteners were all sooo excited to get their book packages today!  Seeing their excitement around reading sure made me smile today!

Alrighty, so how does this all work?

1.  Each time you read together, record it on the reading log.  For this assignment, YOUR CHILD is doing the reading, not you.  You are there to observe, listen, prompt, and guide your child.

For the "Comments" section, consider comments related to reading accuracy and comprehension.  If your child needed a lot of prompting, jot that down!

(I realize you may need more space on the log.  Feel free to expand beyond the box and I will adjust the log for the future.)

Reading Strategy Bookmark:

This book mark is in the package to remind you of the prompts you may use to support your child.  You may keep it out during reading and your child may reference it as well.

Keep this out as well while your child reads.  These are prompts you can use when your child gets stuck or makes a mistake while reading.  These prompts help your child learn how to be more independent and strategic readers.

2.  Read every day together!  Your child should be reading all of the books within the package multiple times, but not necessarily every book every day.  Re-readings are important for all reading skills!  Your child will have at least one book within the package that he/she has never read before.  Plan to spend at least 20 minutes on reading per day (including the word work or writing along with it).

3.  TALK, TALK, TALK about the book together!  (see workshop notes)

4.  Do some word work together and/or write about one of the books! (see workshop notes)

5.  Keep the package in a safe place.  All of the contents should remain inside when not in use.  You do NOT need to return the package to school everyday, but if you prefer you may keep in within your child's backpack.

6.  When you feel like your child is reading all of the books solidly (after multiple readings and several days of practice), return the package to school for new books.  There will not be an assigned day of the week for this, but instead do what is best for your child.  I will be checking the log for evidence that each book has been read many times.  Make sure your child understands when he/she is turning it in for new books.  This should be about once a week.

7.  Enjoy this time together! :)  This is not meant to be a stressful time, so make it work for you and your child.  If your child is too tired/unfocused at night, consider reading together in the morning instead.  And continue to read together over the weekend.

Keep in mind that when you return it to school, you may not get it back right away.  I will try my best to get it filled with new books that day.

I look forward to seeing the confidence and progress that your children will make in reading with this assignment.  Please let me know if you have further questions!