If you want to create a reader, you want to use one of the best tricks of teachers – don’t let the reading end when the book ends. Continue to engage your child in thinking more critically about the text long after the book has ended.
Big Picture Questions
Ask a couple “big picture” types of questions, such as, “Why do you think Sam-I-Am continued to ask if the main character wanted green eggs and ham? When have I asked you to try something you didn’t want to do? How did you feel about that?”
Get Them to Respond to the Text
Some ideas:
- Keep a “journal” by having them draw pictures in an unlined notebook and write down what they have to say about their pictures. If they can write themselves, let them write away. Spelling does not matter, let them invent their spelling using their knowledge of letter-sound correspondences. If you push proper spelling too soon, students will stop taking risks with their words.
- Have children act out parts of the book or put on a puppet show.
- Make a book-related craft.
Make References to the Book (When Appropriate)
Point out connections between your child’s real life and the books they have read. If a child spills his food for example say, “Oh, it is just like David did in the book we read last night. How did he solve this problem?”
Find out what we suggest doing before reading and during reading!
[…] 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. […]