Helpful Language for Talking to Your Child About Their Independent Reading Books
Opening the Conversation
What made you choose to read this book?
How's your reading going?
How are you enjoying the author? Is this the first book that you have read by them?
Summarizing
What is happening in your book? What have you most recently read?
Who is the main character in your book? What are they like?
What are the important events in your book?
What is the main problem in your book?
Practicing Oral Reading
Read aloud a part that you really liked.
Read me a little from where you are.
Encouraging Monitoring and Reflection
How well do you understand this book?
Have you lost your way at all? What fix-up strategies did you use to get back on track?
Is this book just right for you?
Have any questions come up during your reading?
Encouraging Think Along Responses
Does this book remind you of any other books that you have read? Why?
How does this book remind you of your life? Do you have any personal connections?
Have you made any predictions? Have they come true?
What do you picture in your mind as you read?
How do you think the main character feels in this book? Why? Does his/her feelings change?
What do you notice about the author's writing?
Do you like this book? What do you like about? What do you dislike about it?