Language Arts Parent Helper
Do you ever worry that your children are not understanding what they are reading? Ever wondering what they are actually comprehending? Do you struggle with getting a resistant child to read? There is a good chance that if the book is too high for your child's current level, their comprehension is low because reading strategies are not able to be implemented.
All good readers use different strategies when they read such as, summarizing, predicting, connecting, questioning, inferring, among many more. We naturally use all of these strategies as we read for deeper comprehension. However, these strategies can't be used when we are reading something that is too hard for us. For example, if we were given a medical journal with technical writing, without having that background knowledge, we would not be able to use our comprehension strategies and we would be lost and frustrated.
When students read at a level that is too high for them, they are reading at their "frustration level." When this happens, they cannot apply their comprehension strategies and they become frustrated and resistant to reading.
If students can read on their level, they can apply their comprehension strategies to be better readers. Using the Five Finger Rule (above) can help you guide your children to find books on their level. Then the necessary daily reading with implemented comprehension strategies can effectively take place, leading to better readers with increased levels!
Our Common Core State Standards are focused on keeping students on or above grade level so that students are college and career ready. It is only when students are able to experience text on their "just right" level that they are able to use their reading strategies that all good readers use. Once they are able to use their strategies, they become better readers and will increase their reading levels to be on and often above grade level - meeting the standards.
We can't get to the top without experiencing every step on the learning staircase.
Some tips for helping your child become a better reader:
- Be sure your child is reading independently and on level every night for at least 20 minutes.
- Read aloud to your child as often as possible, regardless of their age. "Think aloud" as you read to them, modeling how you ask yourself questions, make inferences, etc.
- As you run your child around to after-school activities, have them bring along their book to read in the car, for those who don't get motion sickness! ;)
- Ask your child questions about their book to help them implement their reading strategies (see below).
Below are additional resources to help you help your children.
All good readers use different strategies when they read such as, summarizing, predicting, connecting, questioning, inferring, among many more. We naturally use all of these strategies as we read for deeper comprehension. However, these strategies can't be used when we are reading something that is too hard for us. For example, if we were given a medical journal with technical writing, without having that background knowledge, we would not be able to use our comprehension strategies and we would be lost and frustrated.
When students read at a level that is too high for them, they are reading at their "frustration level." When this happens, they cannot apply their comprehension strategies and they become frustrated and resistant to reading.
If students can read on their level, they can apply their comprehension strategies to be better readers. Using the Five Finger Rule (above) can help you guide your children to find books on their level. Then the necessary daily reading with implemented comprehension strategies can effectively take place, leading to better readers with increased levels!
Our Common Core State Standards are focused on keeping students on or above grade level so that students are college and career ready. It is only when students are able to experience text on their "just right" level that they are able to use their reading strategies that all good readers use. Once they are able to use their strategies, they become better readers and will increase their reading levels to be on and often above grade level - meeting the standards.
We can't get to the top without experiencing every step on the learning staircase.
Some tips for helping your child become a better reader:
- Be sure your child is reading independently and on level every night for at least 20 minutes.
- Read aloud to your child as often as possible, regardless of their age. "Think aloud" as you read to them, modeling how you ask yourself questions, make inferences, etc.
- As you run your child around to after-school activities, have them bring along their book to read in the car, for those who don't get motion sickness! ;)
- Ask your child questions about their book to help them implement their reading strategies (see below).
Below are additional resources to help you help your children.
Reading Resources
Scholastic Book Wizard - After figuring out Just Right Books, look up the book levels to figure out other books on your child's level.
Leveled Book List - An excellent resource for finding other just right books for your child.
Reading Leveling Chart - Book level conversion chart
A Parent's Guide to Comprehension Strategies - A great resource for you to better understand reading strategies.
Comprehension Tools - Graphic organizers for before, during and after reading. Also great for social studies and science.
Comprehension Tools - More great graphic organizers.
Reading Strategies - Strategies for reading and writing and why they are important.
Reader Response Questions - Using these prompts is a great way to get your child to think and writing about what they are reading. It is also a great way to monitor their reading.
Language Arts Website Resources - Interactive resources to use with the Internet on the computer or iPad.
IRA Parent Resources - Resources from the International Reading Association.
More Interactive Fun
Sheppard Software
Primary Games
Fun English Games
ABCYA
K-12 Timed Reading Practice (app)
Comprehension Apps
Writing Resources
Read, Write, Think - Excellent interactive activities to support reading and writing.
Reading and Writing Tools - Great tech tools for making writing fun.
National Writing Project - Collection of simple tips for parents to help their children with writing.
Leveled Book List - An excellent resource for finding other just right books for your child.
Reading Leveling Chart - Book level conversion chart
A Parent's Guide to Comprehension Strategies - A great resource for you to better understand reading strategies.
Comprehension Tools - Graphic organizers for before, during and after reading. Also great for social studies and science.
Comprehension Tools - More great graphic organizers.
Reading Strategies - Strategies for reading and writing and why they are important.
Reader Response Questions - Using these prompts is a great way to get your child to think and writing about what they are reading. It is also a great way to monitor their reading.
Language Arts Website Resources - Interactive resources to use with the Internet on the computer or iPad.
IRA Parent Resources - Resources from the International Reading Association.
More Interactive Fun
Sheppard Software
Primary Games
Fun English Games
ABCYA
K-12 Timed Reading Practice (app)
Comprehension Apps
Writing Resources
Read, Write, Think - Excellent interactive activities to support reading and writing.
Reading and Writing Tools - Great tech tools for making writing fun.
National Writing Project - Collection of simple tips for parents to help their children with writing.