Reading
As parents, we hear that our kids are reading at a level T or that they may pick from the Double Black books in the classroom libraries. These labels correspond to the assessed independent reading level of the children. (Click on conversion chart to download). At Coyote Creek, teachers formally and informally assess students' reading level, noting accuracy, fluency, and comprehension to determine which level a student can independently read and comprehend. It is not unusual for a student to be fluent at a higher level than she/he can comprehend. This fluency is great and should be celebrated, but pausing to understand not only the text on the page but also to think about the story beyond the page is the key to truly growing as a reader. It is important for us to reinforce that reading IS thinking!
Helping your child grow his/her reading level
How can you help your child grow in his/her reading level? Read with them!! You will not only enjoy this time together, but by pausing to talk about what is happening, why they think characters are behaving in a certain way, or to discuss new vocabulary words, you will be helping develop your child's literacy.
Questions for your child to ask him or herself:
Before Reading:
Helping your child grow his/her reading level
How can you help your child grow in his/her reading level? Read with them!! You will not only enjoy this time together, but by pausing to talk about what is happening, why they think characters are behaving in a certain way, or to discuss new vocabulary words, you will be helping develop your child's literacy.
Questions for your child to ask him or herself:
Before Reading:
- I wonder what this book is going to be about.
- I wonder if it is going to be ____________ (sad, funny, scary, tricky, the same as the last book I read by the author...etc).
- Why am I reading this book? (entertainment, for information)
- What does the main character want?
- Will he/she get it? If so, how?
- Why do you think the author chose this particular setting?
- Why do you think the author chose to tell the story from the point of view of the daughter?
- I wonder why he never ___________________________________.
- How could ___________________(character's name) have done _____________________? That tells me that he must have been ______________(characteristic).
- I wonder what will happen now that ___________________.
- What would happen if _____________________?
Leveled Reading Books - How do we know the reading level of the books we have at home or have checked out from the library?
As parents, we learn about our child's reading level but at home, our books don't have colored dots or levels on them. You may find going to this website can be a huge help. Here, you can enter a book title and see the reading level. Not every book is listed here, but it will give you a head start. Select the "Guided Reading A-Z" option.
As parents, we learn about our child's reading level but at home, our books don't have colored dots or levels on them. You may find going to this website can be a huge help. Here, you can enter a book title and see the reading level. Not every book is listed here, but it will give you a head start. Select the "Guided Reading A-Z" option.