For Parents and Teachers - Post #1

 

Welcome!

The posts that you’ll find in this folder are designed to provide parents and teachers with ideas about how There is Joy in Mudville podcasts & supporting materials can be used to further develop the language arts & math skills of your child/students.

We’ll strive to keep things simple.

Straightforward.

And uncomplicated.

Each post will provide you with a strategy to try along with the learning skill that is being targeted.

In other words, here’s what to try and why you might want to try it.

Sound good?

Okay.

Let’s get started.

Strategy #1

Skill Targeted: Reading with Fluency

Comprehension suffers when kids read word by word.

When they’re unable to string phrases together.

They're so word-focused that understanding the text itself is too much of an ask.

So, how can we help kids with that?

Well, for starters, notice how I’m beginning a new line for each sentence.

Why?

Because, often-times, a three or four sentence paragraph strung together can be very intimidating for the struggling/reluctant reader.

Too jumbled.

It's the "can't see the forest for the trees" scenario playing out.

But one sentence all by its lonesome?

That's do-able!

In other words, presentation matters.

Think about novels written in free verse.

We move through them at a comfortable pace.

Why?

The page isn't cluttered.

We're not distracted and can see the "finish line".

So, the table is set.

The following are some things to try when reading with your child/student.

Firs of all, scan the text.

Examine the titles, headings and photos.

Talk about what you see & notice.

This is called reading around the text.

In essence, you’re helping the child warm up to the reading task.

Words that might appear in the text are now percolating in the readers’ mind.

Fewer hurdles, smoother reading.

 

Secondly, ask the child to read the passage to themselves.

Silently.

This gives the reader a chance to get ready for the “performance”.

And, yes, it is a performance.

Kids know full well that you’re checking up on them when you ask them to read aloud!

 

Now, it’s finally time for the child to read to you!

 

Lastly, read an excerpt yourself.

This keeps the text (story) moving.

Plus, you’re now modelling fluent reading for the child.

Take turns back and forth or, if the child is reading smoothly, hand over the reins.

 

A couple of final notes.

Fight the instinct to immediately intervene if a child comes to a mini-roadblock..

Allow the reader a bit of time to problem solve.

That being said (typed?!), if a child is really struggling, jump in.

"I'll take over now if you don't mind .... you just follow along, okay?"

Or, changes things up.

You read first!

Then ask the child to read the exact same passage back to you.

Familiarity leads to success.

Plus, supports are never a bad thing!

Okay.

That's a wrap.

Hope this helps!

Until next time, friends.