Reading

“The more that you read, the more things you will know!

The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go!”

-Dr. Seuss

What We are Learning!


Reading Expectations

As a class we will engage in reading on a daily basis, be it independent, whole group, or partner reading. We will also engage and participate in discussions about our readings. It is equally important and imperative that students continue to practice their reading at home, and engage in conversations with and see adults engaging in reading as well.

Reading Resources for

Students and Parents!

The Year At A Glance: Here you can see the big ideas and get a feel for what we will be doing in reading classes for the school year.

Reading Rockets! And we have liftoff! This is a wonderful site that is especially helpful for parents and understanding their child as a reader. There is an extensive amount of resources that will help guide parents on how to support their child in developing their reading skills.

Storyline Online This is such a fun website that features famous actors and actresses reading popular stories outloud!

Scholastic for Parents This is a great online resource for parents! Here you will be able to search for ways to help your child in reading, read blogs, as well as buy books your child is interested in!

Liberty Hill Public Library If you are looking for local resources, the Liberty Hill Public Library is a great place to visit. Not only can students check out books the old fashion way, but they can also check out e-books online for FREE! Who doesn't like that price?! Just be sure to have your library number ready.

The absolute BEST way you can help your child with their reading is to read WITH them and TO them. Doing this models the fluency and thinking that good readers do while reading. Also, ask your child questions or just have a conversation about what they are reading.

Questions to Ask While Reading!

Fiction Texts

  • How are the characters, setting, and problems like those in other stories you have read? (making connections)

  • Were you reminded of anything in your own life? (making connections)

  • How does the story make you feel? (Not just good, bad, etc....) (making connections)

  • Is the place (setting) important to the story? How? (effects on events)

  • What words did the author use to describe the characters, setting, actions....? (imagery)

  • Does the season or the time affect the characters or the plot of the story? (effects on events)

  • What can you hear, see, feel, or smell as you read? (imagery)

  • Who is the most interesting character? Why? (character changes and relationships)

  • How did characters feel about one another? Why? (character changes and relationships)

  • How does one of the characters change? Why? (character changes and relationships)

  • What is the story's problem? How will it be solved? (effects on future events)

  • What do you predict will happen next? (making predictions)

  • What are the most important events of the story? (summary)

  • What is the author's message, or, what are you supposed to learn as a reader? (theme)

  • Who tells the story? What is the point of view? (1st or 3rd person point of view)

Non-Fiction Texts

  • What do you already know about this topic?

  • How does the author organize the ideas in the selection?

  • What are the subtitles? Locate them along with the captions or any graphics (i.e. charts, graphs)

  • What is the main idea of the text?

  • What are the facts that support the main idea?

  • How has the author made it easy for you to find information?

  • What does the title tell you about this topic?

  • What information is provided through text features other than the text itself? (i.e. photos, graphs, charts, etc..)

  • Does the text have a glossary, appendix, or index? How are these sections useful to the reader?

Biographical Texts

  • What do you already know about the subject of this biography?

  • What surprised you about this person?

  • What do you already know about the period of history in which this person lived?

  • How is the person in the biography like other people you know?

  • How are this person's problems like the problems of people in other biographies or fiction books you have read?

  • How important is the setting (place, time in history, and other events taking place at the time) to the subject's life or accomplishments?

  • How did the person overcome their struggles or problems?

  • Why is this person important for us to remember?

  • How did the author organize the telling of the events of the person's life (chronological, under topics, etc.)?

  • Why did the author think this subject was important?

  • What can we learn from this person's life that we could apply in our own lives today?