Reading Tips

Here’s some tips for helping your student raise their reading level:

GOAL: Read 20 minutes everyday

• Encourage them to sound out words out loud so that you can hear their thinking.  (Some words can’t be sounded out - those you can read for them.  These are what we call sight words.  We have to just memorize them because they don’t follow the rules. Extra points if you stop and write the sight word down on a flash card!)

• Read books that THEY love.  We are hoping to spark a love for reading.  We can find something that sparks the interest of your student.

Pick Just Right Texts (If there are 4 or more words that your student doesn’t know on one page, it is too hard.  2-3 new words per page is recommended, depending on their confidence) 

• If it is too hard, but they really want to read it, you can read it aloud while they follow along.  

• You can get witches fingers and they love to use those to follow along. Or a popsicle stick with a googly eye.

• You can also read aloud and pause on words (you are sure they know) and ask them to read it.  It is a good way to test if they are following along.  Remember if the text is way to hard, they won’t be able to follow along at all.

BUT they HATE reading!

As a kid, I hated reading.  I was asked to read the Harry Potter books when I was not really able to.  So my dad and I sat there and read for hours, even when he had to correct every word.  This was not pleasant.  I hated reading and really struggled throughout all of school because of the dred and hate I had towards reading.  Often, students hate reading when they feel like they aren’t good at it.  It is best to set them up for little successes with books that are at their level.  

Build them up with sincere compliments.  Remember, reading can be a scary thing, especially if you have an impatient teacher.  Be specific with your compliments so that they know what was right. Some examples are: “I love how you sounded out that word.”  “I love how you keep trying and not giving up, I’m so proud of you.”  “So close! You got the first part right. Try again.”

Your student should read for 20 minutes, but that can be broken up into 5 minute sections.  You may also need to work up to this if your student hasn’t grown any reading stamina yet.  

Remember, a frustrated student is NOT a learning student. 

You know your student best.  If you are able to take a break and come back, do it.  If you can tell that your student is unfocused, get a snack, move, or take a walk and come back to it.  In the classroom, we have a calm corner.  Students know the expectation is to work, but sometimes if we are distracted with emotions, we can take a calm corner break (with sensory activities) and then get back on track.  If you want idea on how to make a calm corner at home, Ms. Rogers would love to share her ideas!

“BUT they are so far behind! We can’t take it slow!”

I am a big believer in not making students aware of their reading group leveling system, that’s why they are all colors instead of numbers.  Comparison can make students feel awful about themselves.  And an insecure child is very hard to teach. We get eager and want them to move along faster than they are ready.  If we can build their confidence day by day, they will likely, begin to love to read.  Once they are there, there is no saying how far they will go.  They WILL get there if we are consistent!

Don’t Get Bored, Switch it up! 

Reading Options

Make an agreement with your student.  They HAVE to read every day, BUT there are lots of fun options! (this can give them a feeling of control) 

1. Read a magazine

2. Go to GetEpic.com and read thousands of books for free

3. Go to the library (make sure you know the level of books to let them look at.  They may think they can read much higher than they can, and get very discouraged when they can’t read a lot of the words.)

4. Read to their younger sibling 

5. Read to Grandma & Grandpa on Zoom

6. Find a student in class to read with (Email Ms. Rogers if you need help contacting a peer).

7. Read a story, then write a similar one.

8. Look for “Reader’s Theatre” on RazKids, GetEpic, or google.  They can be in your student’s reading level and they are short stories that you and your student can act out together.  You could even record it!

Move and Exercise at least 1 hour per day!  That's 60 minutes.

¡Muévase y haga ejercicio al menos 1 hora por día! Eso es 60 minutos.