Language

August 8th, 2016

Dear Parents,

In an effort to provide a holistic reading program, we ask for your home support.  Each day, the students will bring home reading books and reading logs.  The purpose of our take home reader program is for students to read books that are at their independent reading levels (that they can read by themselves) for decoding, fluency and comprehension.  

You can support your child by setting aside some time to read together every night.  We encourage you to use the included suggestions for helping with reading at home.  This will help to ensure a high level of success and enjoyment.

Your child will choose a book to take home each day. The book should be read nightly, and returned each morning with the signed (by parent) reading log. The students will in turn choose a new book to read for the following day.  

Spelling words/Sight words

The spelling words/sight words are the most frequently used words your child will come across in reading and writing.  It is important that students in grade one learn to spell these words. Knowing these words will help your child read simple books and write independently.  We will send home 5 words every Monday.

Please read and practise spelling these words with your child each evening.

Every Friday the class teacher will decide if your child is ready for the next set of 5.  

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your homeroom teacher.

Grade 1 team.

How to help your child.

Provide a Suitable Place and Time

• The place should be as quiet and peaceful as possible.
• Choose a time when your child is not tired, hungry or really keen to do something else, so that you can enjoy reading together.

Allow Time for Your Child to Help Themselves

• Wait! Give your child a chance to think about the word and the meaning of the story before you try to help or correct them.

Provide Encouragement and Support

• Accept your child’s efforts.  
• Avoid criticism and comparisons with other children.
• Try to be relaxed. Stop the session calmly if you feel yourself becoming frustrated.  Read to your child instead.
• Talk about the story together. This will help your child to read with more interest, understanding and accuracy, especially if you help them to link what is in the text with experiences they have had.

Provide Positive Comments when:

• your child reads well
• they correct themselves after making a mistake
• they read a word correctly after you have provided help
• they read books silently to themselves (that is, books which they can read without making mistakes)