Q & A

Parenting can be a mystery at times. We have six children and I have taught first, second, and fourth grades, seventh grade English, HS Special Ed., college and graduate school. I am also a psychologist---and I know we can work through some of your concerns together. Add a question in the form of a comment or comment on a post. I look forward to reading your thoughts. [Train up a child in the way s/he should go: and when s/he is old, s/he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6]

Thursday, May 10, 2012

READING IS FUN!

Q: The state requires a passing score on a reading test or third-graders don't pass. What can I do to help my daughter?

A: Organized tutorial programs are very helpful, such as Sylvan Learning Centers  www.sylvanlearning.com and others. At home, have fun with Language Experience Stories. Use a toy, a favorite cartoon like Disney Characters (or others they have chosen), a new bird's nest, anything that interests your child.

Tell the child, "We're going to write a story about the bird (or object they have). What do you see first? That will be our first line of our story."

Together, create the story and write the first line the child creates on paper, on the computer or iPad. Then have the child read back what they just wrote. They are successful because they are their own words, their own creation. Then write the next line and so on until they have written four to eight lines, depending on their age and ability to read. They will have a feeling of mastery and will become excited about reading. Have them read their story to the other parent, grandparent, friend, younger sibling, the dog and anyone who will listen. 

Develop other stories over the next days. Keep all the stores in a three-ring binder or computer. Go  back each day to read the previous ones. Expand the number of lines in the story as the child develops reading ability.

Prompts are certainly acceptable with a cheery, "Remember, the word starts with the "ch" sound. Very good! You are a great reader!" It will become a self-fulfilling fact. They will become good readers as the success gives them confidence.

Language Experience Stories can be used with children of all ages. Adult learners would have fun with them as well.

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