Reading on the RIght Level

Reading research shows that the more time a student spends reading, the better the reader he or she becomes.  Before you give your child 20 texts, please consider the following:

What level does your child read at with 98% or higher accuracy and solid comprehension?

With the new Common Core Standards, students are expected to read in a range. What this means is they should be exposed to texts that are on their independent level.  These texts they will read with ease and be able to understand and discuss the texts.  They need to be exposed to on grade level texts, and if this is above their instructional level, they will need lots of guidance.  If it is on their instructional level, they will need some guidance to decode words and monitor comprehension.  All students should be exposed to above grade level or above instructional level texts through read alouds.  The basis for reading is listening. The more background knowledge that we can provide, the better the foundation the student has to jump start his or her reading

Leveling systems may vary among districts.  A common text gradient by Fountas and Pinnell pinpoints where a student should be at each grade level.  Books in teachers' libraries are leveled so students are guided to make the right choices.

 

Gian Paul Gonzalez - ARE YOU ALL IN?

Take this message however it can apply to your life now.
Ask yourself, are you ALL IN? Everyone's "all in" is different.  Just imagine, if every single
adult was "All IN" to every child's literacy development.......Wow how the world would change.
I'm All IN.

Are you All IN?

Did you know that research shows that students who will have successful first reading experiences have had 500 books read aloud to them? At first the number sounds high, but it really isn't... Reflect on your own child from birth to age 4-5. How many books have you, family members, caregivers, teachers, and even apps read to them?

Reading aloud builds a solid foundation for your student or child to take ownership as a reader themselves.  As you read a title and the author of a book, they are learning that a person wrote the text and drew the pictures.  Kids learn directionality  (reading left to right) and tracking (pointing to the word that is being read) as well as thinking and talking about pictures.

I have heard many many parents say, "my kids just won't stop to listen....they are always on the go...they lose focus...they are just not into it"  I ask you, are you ALL IN?

Inspired by our Somerville Public School In Service Day speaker, Gian Paul Gonzalez, I realized this small statement speaks volumes when it comes to our children's literacy development.

Prioritize.  Believe in the process. Tell them you are doing it, and DO IT. Even if you have a stuffed animal as your audience.  Kids understand what we value as adults.  It's going to catch on.  If it doesn't, think of your time frame.  If you are reading to a 4 year old, you have 4-6 minutes for them to stay engaged.  Consider the topic you are reading.  Are you using intonation? Are you vested in this quiet time or are you texting while flipping through pages?
No one is perfect.  Just like our students can sense when adults are angry or happy; they can sense what we value and truly believe in. Make it a priority and go ALL IN!

Surround your child with just right texts!

Researchers findings consistently state that the best readers read a lot! Well, that makes sense; however your child needs access to lots of texts at their reading level.  They need to build stamina with independent reading and be exposed to higher levels through read alouds.  What level does your child's teacher say  they are reading?



http://home.comcast.net/~ngiansante/

Find tons of texts at that level here...

Benefits of a one on one tutor

A one on one tutor can reach students like no other teacher can. Below are five methods that can help a one on one tutor better reach their students and improve their grades.

1. THE STUDENT AS AN INDIVIDUAL
There are many ways that a one on one tutor can help students. In the classroom, a teacher inevitably must deal with the class as a whole and, unfortunately, the individual often slips through the cracks. The most important aspect of the one on one tutor is its individual nature.

2. REINFORCEMENT
Positive reinforcement is another tool that a one on one tutor has to offer. A student always prefers to hear that he/she is intelligent and grasping the material rather than being threatened into trying to learn it. Upon hearing this praise, the student strives harder to comprehend the material.

3. MAKING THE SUBJECT ENJOYABLE
If a teacher/tutor can make the material enjoyable, it is much more likely that a student will not only understand it, but will actually work to deepen that understanding.
If the student looks forward to a session, he/she is much more likely to benefit from that class. We all prefer to do activities that we enjoy rather than those we dread. It is the responsibility of the teacher, and even more that of the one on one tutor to make a subject fun.
The most important aspect of making a subject enjoyable is to praise the student's performance. When the student shows even a minimal understanding of the material a, "Hey that's great work!" from the tutor goes a long way.
On the other hand, a comment like, "That was a really stupid mistake," can leave the pupil feeling that he/she will never understand the subject. As a tutor, always try to praise your student even if you feel the praise is not entirely deserved.
4. STRATEGIES USING THE INTERESTS OF THE STUDENT
A teacher also has the responsibility of looking for strategies on how to make the subject interesting to a class. This is often difficult as there are 20 pupils with 20 different interests. Alternatively, the one on one tutor can get to know his student as an individual and find his/her areas of interest and then work on developing the material in a way that uses these interests.
For example, one way that math can be made interesting to many students is to look for real world applications. Of course, this works for many students but not for all of them.
When I was a child it was the artfully beautiful proofs in mathematics which gained my interest. The real world applications were always boring. It is the strength of one on one tutoring that the tutor can assess the pupil and work on the best method for that particular individual.

5.HOW CAN A TUTOR FIND OUT WHAT INTERESTS HIS STUDENT?
First off, he/she should shed the formality of the classroom. Even with my younger students, I prefer that they call me by my name, "Les" rather than the forbidding Mr. Belzer.
Second, simple questions about sports, hobbies, games, and computer activities can reveal a lot about the way a student thinks. Show the student that you are interested in his life and problems. If one is truly interested then a rapport is easy to establish.

Having a one on one tutor has many benefits to the student. By applying the above methods, a tutor can inspire their student to appreciate the material and stimulate in him or her a desire to improve their knowledge and thus improve their grades.

Do you want your child to become a better reader?

Of course you do. Think of reading like any other activity that your child participates in.  You want them to enjoy it, try their best, socialize, improve, and build self confidence. Most likely you will be investing time and money. You show your dedication and love through supporting your child.

We must invest in reading. Children need to see us value text in all forms. We need to honor their interest by allowing them to self select titles.  We want to foster their love of reading by making it a social event through discussion and interaction with peers.  Children need to practice to improve.  Think about the upcoming summer months.  How will you invest?

There is an overwhelming amount of research supporting that our most successful readers read much more than our struggling readers.  Lets take away all of "the work around reading" such as memorizing vocabulary, and act like real life readers...read, think, react, discuss, read.

NJASK, Book Fair, Summer Reading

I am back to blogging and plan on weekly blogs from here on out!

May is here and that means NJASK testing, Scholastic Book Fair, and plans for Summer reading!

NJASK
Grades 3 through 5 will be taking NJASK this week and next.  As educators and parents, we can believe in our children, encourage them to go above and beyond, and continue to support their needs.  Sure, we can check their homework and study with them for a quiz, but more importantly engage with them in meaningful conversations.  Challenge their intellect as I am sure they will challenge you.  Use more sophisticated vocabulary and expect the best.  When your child gives you their best, raise the bar because they will continue to grow.

Scholastic Book Fair at VDV in the Media Center
Friday, May 17 11:00 am-3:00 pm
Monday, May 20 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Tuesday, May 21 9:00 am - 3:00 pm & 5:00 pm-8:00 pm Literacy Night
Wednesday, May 22 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Thursday, May 23 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Online Book Fair: May 12th - June 1st
http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/vanderveer
All profits benefit our classroom libraries to better serve your children!

Summer Reading....Students' literacy skills can decline or advance during the summer months.  This article is a must read for all parents.

http://www.reading.org/downloads/publications/RTsummer1_Mraz.pdf

More to come...

Defend yourselves!

New Jersey's New Core Curriculum Standards stress evidence based answers.  Our children and students need to verbally "rehearse" defending and proving their answers with us in a stress free environment before stepping into a testing situation.  Our children and students are expected to read and comprehend a text, read and interpret a question, locate specific "evidence" in the text, and clearly explain their answer! I believe we all need to "rehearse" for this big performance. How do we help them?  

1. Conversation
Always engage your child in conversation at home regarding school, sports, the news, or anything that they may find interest in.  During your conversation always ask your child why they think a certain way or what made them react in a certain way.  Through an open dialect, you can introduce higher level vocabulary words.  Because the topic is of interest to your child, they will take more ownership of defending their answers.

Sample conversation between my daughter and I (she turns 4 in May)

Mommy, I want my hairband and my sparkly headband.

Sweetie, why do you need both accessories?

I need to look perfect.

Why do you need to look perfect?

I am a princess.

Yes, you are... and that makes me the queen!

2. Read Aloud and Discuss

Do you know research shows that reading aloud builds a child's vocabulary, background knowledge, attention span, and promotes a positive bonding experience that the child will take with them in the future?

As you read aloud, ask your child questions and have them find specific examples in the text or refer to what they heard you read to support their thoughts.  Talking in the rehearsal to writing!

Good Luck! Have fun.

A Wonderful "Read Aloud" Resource

I am currently reading "The Read-Aloud Handbook" by Jim Trelease. I highly recommend this to parents and teachers.  Follow this link to check it out!

http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/biblios.html

Daily 5

A teacher from my school passed along the following website http://www.thedailycafe.com/public/main.cfm
This is a wonderful resource for teachers.  The movement from "traditional guided reading" to guided strategy groups is discussed. Check it out!

Helping Your Children Infer

One of the most important strategies good readers use is making inferences.  Making an inference is just like an addition problem.  Take what you know + What the pictures or text tell you = Your Inference


For example:

The girl finished her cereal and turned off the T.V.  She grabbed her backpack and put on her jacket.  Before she left to catch the bus, she grabbed her umbrella from the garage.



What I know:  People eat cereal for breakfast.
                        People watch shows or the news on tv.
                        Backpacks and buses remind me of school.
                        Umbrellas are used on rainy days.

What the Text Told Me: cereal, tv, backpack, jacket, bus, umbrella

My Inference: The girl watched the weather report on tv while eating her breakfast before school.  She decided to bring her unbrella because rain was in the forecast.



Think of an inference as a reader's lightbulb shining brightly when their knowledge and the text join to make a realization.

Check out this site for more practice....http://havefunteaching.com/worksheets/reading-worksheets/inferences-worksheets/

RIF

Children can listen to audio books online, create their own stories, and practice skills at
http://www.rif.org/readingplanet/gamestation/storymaker/storymaker.htm

Reading Sage: The Finnish Education Phenomenon!

Very Interesting. Great Resources as well on this blog!
Reading Sage: The Finnish Education Phenomenon!:   The Finnish Primary School Day Is Shorter and More Enriching! Hand Weaving Brain Break!! Students Love Learning,  the American Sys...

Common Core Kindergarten

NJ has adopted The Common Core Standards...so what will your kindergartner accomplish? Check out this site....http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RF/K

Barnes and Noble Book Fair

Save the date...
Thursday, March 7th from 5:30 to 8:00 at The Barnes and Noble by the Somerville Circle.  All proceeds benefit Somerville's Preschool and Van Derveer Elementary School!
Lots of teachers will be there! Join us....

Great Website for R-Controlled Vowels

Wonderful interactive site to practice R-controlled vowel sounds...ar,er,ir,ur,or
Games to practice on and offline!
Slide shows to reinforce skills and mini books to read!
http://rbeaudoin333.homestead.com/bossy_r_s_1.html

Teacher of the Year

Thank you VDV! I love my job.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=rht8v-qMLdg

Give your Kindergartner a head start!

http://www.teachwithme.com/images/stories/aKindergarten%20Dolch%20WC's.pdfSight words are words that should be read automatically without sounding each part out.  Sight words are in every text that we encounter! Teach your child their kindergarten sight words prior to entering school. This will give your child confidence and put them a step ahead in reading!

Use What Your Kids Love...to Teach

Embrace technology...

Download apps that not only engage your child or student, but teach them (without them even realizing it!)

http://www.justchildrensbooks.com/five-ipad-reading-apps-for-preschoolers/

Leveled Texts

It is imperative to provide our children and student with texts that they can read independently, with fluency and understanding.  That's where leveled texts come in....

http://www.busykidshappymom.org/2012/08/book-level-guide-for-parents-and-kids-k.html?m=1

The Importance of Reading Aloud

Reading aloud to your baby, toddler, preschooler, and kindergartner is priceless.  You will be opening your child's mind to new words, ideas, questions, language and forming a connection with enjoyment and books.

Check out this wonderful guide to reading aloud!

 

http://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200303/ReadingAloud.pdf

 

Please feel free to post read aloud questions, struggles, suggestions and successes!

 

 

Why, How?

The most important questions to ask your child or students after or during reading is why and how? This helps train them to think. Reading is thinking.  Our children need to think beyond the text.  Let's help spark their interests, wonder about ideas presented, and explore new texts!