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Hey Parents…Want to Create a Reader? (Before Reading Ideas)

September 19, 2011 10 Comments
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before reading

Want to get your child ahead in reading?  Try a technique that teachers use to help your child become (better) readers.  This post is part of a three-part series about a technique called “Guided Reading”.   When using this technique,make sure to choose books that are at your child’s reading level (I like using the Fountas and Pinnell levels).  Your child is likely ready to begin guided reading instruction if he or she (1) can “pretend read” books that you have read aloud, (2) has memorized certain favorite books, or (3) Is starting to recognize relationships between letters and sounds.  If you have a non-reading preschooler or kindergartner, you might want to start with Level A books, like these (published by Scholastic):

Screen Shot 2014-07-31 at 9.16.28 AM

If your child is school aged and reading, just ask his or her teacher what their “instructional” reading level is (Instructional reading level is teacher language for “the difficulty level of books a child can read with the support of an adult”).  Over the course of three posts, I will share with you tips for what to do “before”, “during”, and “after” reading with your child. All three components will likely be done together in one sitting with your child, but I am breaking them into parts so that they are less overwhelming for you.

Today I am going to focus on what to do with your child BEFORE actually reading the book.  There are two things teachers look to do before having their students read a text.  First, they “activate student’s prior knowledge” (in other words, figure out what they already know about the topic of the book).  Then teachers introduce important vocabulary.  Both of these are VERY important for preparing children to read.

ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

1. Ask children what they already know about the topic of the book. 
            Example: If the book is about things children do on a playground, ask, “Have you been to a   
            playground?  What types of things did you do there?”

2. Predict what may happen in the book from the cover.
Example: “Look at the illustration on the cover.  What do you think will happen in this book
           based on this picture?”

INTRODUCE VOCABULARY

1. Pick out 5-8 words that children will need to know to read this book.  They should be words with “content” like slide, monkey bars, friendship, not words like is, the, and.

2. Take a “picture walk”.  A picture walk is when you walk through the pages of the book, pointing out important vocabulary and seeing what happens in the book (so children can spend more time focused on reading the words and making meaning from those words).  Talk about the meanings of each of the selected vocabulary words you encounter in the picture walk.

Now your child is ready to “read” (albeit with your help)!!!  It is really empowering for children when they realize they can make sense of the words on a page!  Here you can see what we suggest you do during reading and after reading.

 

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Check out these other ideas while you are here:

  • Top 10 Posts of 2013 {A Year in Photos}Top 10 Posts of 2013 {A Year in Photos}
  • Want to Create a Reader? (During Reading Ideas)Want to Create a Reader? (During Reading Ideas)
  • How I Taught My Preschooler to Read in Two DaysHow I Taught My Preschooler to Read in Two Days
  • Want to Create a Reader? (After Reading Ideas)Want to Create a Reader? (After Reading Ideas)
  • 5 YA Books for Your Summer Reading List5 YA Books for Your Summer Reading List

Filed Under: education, Little Knights Read, teaching tips for parents Tagged With: reading, teach kids to read

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lindsey says

    January 12, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    Love this! Bringing me back to “reading group” in my teaching days.!
    Lindsey recently posted…Little Nest Portraits SessionetteMy Profile

  2. Heather says

    January 12, 2014 at 3:26 pm

    Why did I not know you were a teacher? I think you might be my parenting twin.

  3. Beth says

    January 13, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    Great tips!

  4. Caitlin says

    January 13, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    I like the idea of picking out a few words for them to focus on
    Caitlin recently posted…love banner giveaway!My Profile

  5. Jeannette says

    January 13, 2014 at 7:37 pm

    I love reading with my littles. Happy to make it a part of our daily routine. Combined with stories and role-play, it’s a great way to entertain them in between the free-play.
    Jeannette recently posted…Composting: How and Why Every Household Should CompostMy Profile

  6. Life with Kaishon says

    January 13, 2014 at 8:56 pm

    I was a first grade teacher in my prior life, so I am a big fan of guided reading! I think raising a book lover is one of the best things you can do for your child. Awesome post. Thank you for sharing.
    Life with Kaishon recently posted…the best of the best :: i heart faces :: January, 2014My Profile

  7. Carrie says

    January 13, 2014 at 8:59 pm

    Great tip about pointing out words before you begin!
    Carrie recently posted…6 Secrets for Closet Organization (Tips & Tricks!)My Profile

  8. Jessica @FoundtheMarbles says

    January 13, 2014 at 11:19 pm

    We just went through this with my little guy. So glad they are both readers now!

Trackbacks

  1. Want to Create a Reader? (During Reading Ideas) says:
    January 12, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    […] out what we suggest doing before and after […]

  2. Want to Create a Reader? (After Reading Ideas) says:
    January 12, 2014 at 1:06 pm

    […] out what we suggest doing before reading and during […]

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Heather Schugar is an educator, author, and mom-of-all-trades. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, and her work has has been featured in national outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, Real Simple magazine, and Men’s Fitness.

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