Tools for Reading

We have been learning that readers and writers need to be brave when they are reading and writing and try to figure out words that they don't know. We have talked how we need to have a toolbox of things to try when we come upon a word that we don't know. We can't just ask someone to tell us the word every time and "sounding it out" doesn't always work. We have been learning a list of other tools (strategies) that we can use when we come upon a word that we can't read.

We try to think like a detective and look at clues that will help us figure out what the unknown word might be. Sometimes we have to use several clues to figure out just one word. We have our toolbox of strategies posted above the whiteboard in our room so that we can refer to it if we need help. I will be emailing a more detailed copy of this list to parents, too, so you can help your child use these tools at home. (Please remind me if I happen to forget.) You can click on the picture to see a larger version.

 Can your child:

• count by 2s, 5s and 10s?
• tie his or her shoes?
• write his or her last name?

Homework
No homework for the weekend. Enjoy some good books with your child and check to see how many things on the list above your child can do. These would be great things to work on this weekend, too.

IA (Integrated Arts)
Our IA next week is Art.