I hope you had a wonderful break with your loved ones. I enjoyed a lot of puzzles, games, good food and reading with my children the last two weeks, and was so excited to be back at school with your children this week!
As we jump right back in this week, we have been doing lots of check ins to see how we are progressing. As a building, our teachers regularly review big picture data about our students as readers and mathematicians. One specific area in reading we've noted we can continue to improve upon is the area of reading comprehension. Our teachers are constantly reassessing how they can shift focus during interactive read aloud, small group instruction, and one on one conferring to help meet the needs of our students. We have such an incredible group of educators who are always asking, "what's next for my learners?" Right now, they are honing in on ways they can push and grow our students as they think about the text they are reading.
However, we also know that students' learning doesn't stop at the school doors. We believe that with your involvement, we can make a significant impact on your child's growth in this area. Below are several strategies you can use at home while reading with your child to enhance your child's reading comprehension:
1. Ask Questions
- What do you think will happen next in the story?
- Why did the character make that decision?
- How would you feel if you were in _____'s shoes?
2. Summarize together
After reading, work with your child to summarize the main ideas. Encourage them to retell the story in their own words, focusing on the key events, characters, and lessons learned.
3. Connect to real life
- Has something similar ever happened to you?
- How do you think the character felt in that situation?
- What would you do if this happened to you?
4. Model Thinking Aloud
When reading together, sometimes model your own thinking out loud. For example, you might say, "I wonder why the character chose to do that?" or "This part of the story reminds me of another book I read where _____". This demonstrates the active process of comprehension and critical thinking while reading.
We are so grateful for your partnership in educating your amazing children. If you notice your child struggling with reading comprehension, or if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or to me directly. Together, we can help ensure that every student not only improves in their reading comprehension, but develops a life long love of reading!
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Mrs. Stefanich
My Brain Can Grow!
We are entering a HUGE season of growth for our learners, so this is coming at the perfect time! Help your child celebrate the growth happening in their brains by helping them learn even more about how their brain works. Check out some books together, like My Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak to learn about this amazing organ!
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