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Reading Strategies and Activities
The following suggestions are intended for students in grades 2 through 6. On these levels, after the students have mastered the early strategies, it is still important to express interest in the reading behaviors of our children.
If your child is still reading word by word, it is a sign that the text may be too difficult. To help him/her you may do the following: read a sentence with fluency and expression and ask your child to repeat it after you; ask him/her to read it and make it sound like talking; slide a card under each line as your child reads.
If your child is having difficulty reading unfamiliar words, ask him/her to skip the word, read on to the end of the sentence, think about a word that would make sense in the sentence, go back to the word in question and say the sound of its first letter. This should provide a clue to the word. Then, re-read the sentence.
If comprehension is a problem, help your child prepare before he/she begins to read an assignment by looking at pictures, diagrams, any visual support. Encourage him/her to read with a question or two in mind. Have him/her read to find answers to their questions. It is a very beneficial practice to have him/her write his/her answers in complete sentences in his/her own words. The ability to summarize is a strong indicator of comprehension.
Talk to your child about everything. Engage in serious conversations in which you ask for his/her opinion on issues affecting his/her life, issues involving interests, hobbies, etc. Laugh and play with languages. She your child that reading and discussion opportunities are everywhere.
Be a reading model for your child. If reading is seen as important to you, it will more likely be important to your child.
Read with your child every day. Share the reading. You read aloud to him/her, and he/she should read aloud to you. Listen for fluency and expression. These are indicators of comprehension. Talk about what you are reading. Make predictions; share opinions.
Praise effort, even if it results in error. Be a support and guide.
Prepared by Sandra Gettings©
Strategic Reading Questions Parent Reading 2-6