Home Connection

PARENT SUPPORT
The ultimate goal is to have your child reading at or above grade level. This is a high goal but it is possible. With your help, our chances of achieving this goal with your child is greatly improved. For a student with reading difficulty, the best at home support you can provide is to make sure that your child reads for at least 20-30 minutes every night. This may include class books, independently chosen books, magazines, and newspapers. Research has consistently shown that daily, sustained reading has a beneficial effect on reading ability.

RESPONDING TO READING
When you read with your child, there are specific ways you can respond to their reading. Below is a list of different strategies you can use to improve comprehension.

1. Before you start reading new book, help your child to skim the text, look at the pictures on the cover, read chapter titles and then make predictions.

2. Before you start reading a book in progress, encourage him/her to discuss what they already know about the topic and events.

3. During the reading, ask them to share their opinion of the events as they happen in the story. Share your opinion and feelings as well.

4. If your child stumbles on a word, try not to give it to them. Encourage them to try to sound it out and to reread the sentence to see what work would make sense. If this fails them give them the word. You will find that many times they can figure it out.

5. After the reading, have your child summarize what happened and discuss predictions of what might happen next. It might be helpful for him/her to write these thoughts into a journal.

MOTIVATING YOUR CHILD
Many parents find that they have trouble getting their child to read and write at home. Here is a list of activities that may encourage your child to become inspired. (please let me know if you have any suggestions to add to this list.)

1. Help your child find magazines and books on topics they enjoy.

2. Get them to help you with a recipe. Ask them to read the instructions.

3. Let your child write the grocery list for you.

4. Encourage your child to write to family members. A child's own personal stationary sometimes helps.

5. Encourage your chold to keep a personal diary or journal. Maybe buy them one with a lock and key.

6. Work with your child to create a family scrapbook. Try including photographs, movie stubs, and even restaurant napkins. Help your child to create written explanations for each keepsake and glue it alongside.