Students are having fun and fine tuning their reading and listening skills this month as they read along with an audio book. Recorded books are a fun way for your child to listen to a fluent reader, practice following along, and focus their attention. Involve the whole family by reading along as you listen to a chapter of a book each night before bed or while driving in the car during a family vacation. There are many books on tape/CD at the public library that your child might enjoy.
This month, students are reading and listening to the audio recording of the book, Because of Winn Dixie. Students are really enjoying reading and discussing this book. It is a great way to develop their skills on sustaining their attention and understanding while reading a longer chapter book over a longer period of time. We are working on keeping track of the different characters and played a few games and activities as a way to review and discuss the book and its characters. As students learn more about the characters, they were better able to anticipate the characters’ actions and refine their predictions on what would happen next in the book. Ask your child about the different characters in the book and what character they liked best.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Determining Importance
We are beginning to focus more on reading nonfiction and the strategies we will use for reading nonfiction books. We are focusing on the comprehension strategy of Determining Importance.
In fiction
Many students are choosing to read chapter books for independent reading. In class, we have practiced how to keep track of the events of the book and other story elements. Determining the most important event/s can still a challenge. After reading each chapter, students write or draw a picture of 1-2 important events. Students also keep track of the characters, the setting, the main character’s conflict, and the resolution. Each day before reading, students review their notes. As you are reading with your child at home and monitoring their homework, ask them how they are keeping track of the events of the book or what they predict will happen next.
In nonfiction
During our weekly LMC times this month students are reading nonfiction books. Reading nonfiction requires readers to think differently about the text. Readers need to determine the big ideas and figure out the most important facts from the interesting ones. Some students may track the important facts using post it notes to record their ideas. Others may use a 3-column chart or FQR to record Facts, Questions, and Responses. In class we will discuss getting too caught up in the wondering and questioning of nonfiction and the need to refocus on the text, and where a reader’s background knowledge fits in the process. We will also discuss and practice determining the difference between fact and opinion.
In fiction
Many students are choosing to read chapter books for independent reading. In class, we have practiced how to keep track of the events of the book and other story elements. Determining the most important event/s can still a challenge. After reading each chapter, students write or draw a picture of 1-2 important events. Students also keep track of the characters, the setting, the main character’s conflict, and the resolution. Each day before reading, students review their notes. As you are reading with your child at home and monitoring their homework, ask them how they are keeping track of the events of the book or what they predict will happen next.
In nonfiction
During our weekly LMC times this month students are reading nonfiction books. Reading nonfiction requires readers to think differently about the text. Readers need to determine the big ideas and figure out the most important facts from the interesting ones. Some students may track the important facts using post it notes to record their ideas. Others may use a 3-column chart or FQR to record Facts, Questions, and Responses. In class we will discuss getting too caught up in the wondering and questioning of nonfiction and the need to refocus on the text, and where a reader’s background knowledge fits in the process. We will also discuss and practice determining the difference between fact and opinion.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)