We want our students to be reading everyday, both in school and at home. Reading builds stamina and builds student vocabulary. It allows students to identify with characters, feel empathy and not feel alone in the struggles of growing up. When reading a variety of text students began to make connections to books, but also make connections between books and eventually how that ties into a more global community.
Help with "Just Right" Books
It is very important that your children be reading books that are "just right" for them.
An error rate of 1 in 20 words suggests an easy text, an error rate of 1 in 10 suggests an instructional level text and an error rate of greater than 1 in 10 suggests a hard text (Fountas & Pinnell, 1999).
If the book is too difficult, it will lead to frustration; too little of a challenge will lead to boredom (Routman, 2003). So the book needs to be “just right.” A just right book is one that provides a little bit of a challenge for the student. It should be a book that the student finds interesting and can be read with a small amount of assistance with the text. Spending time reading just right books during independent reading time will help students become stronger.
K-2 Book Levels
In the fall teachers will give students an assessment that tells you what level your child should be reading at. This can help you pick out books for your child. The librarian is a great resource as well. Below are a few places where you can search for books at the "just right" level for your child.
Scholastic Book Wizard
Leveled Book Database
We know it can feel frustrating to watch your child read the same books over and over again. Graphic Novels are real books and reading books repeatedly increases confidence as well as fluency. As students grow more confident in their abilities, they begin to branch out. Here are some ways to slightly nudge your child in that direction.
1. If they only read non fiction, for example biographies, try and find a historical fiction book about the same time period. They can use their knowledge form nonfiction text to help them become interested in the new text.
2. Let your child listen to the book on cd for a few chapters until they are hooked. It's a great way to realize you may like books you didn't think you would.
3. Read a book at the same time as your child so you can discuss it.
4. Encourage your child to watch book trailers on youtube, they can hook a reader.
5. Ask a librarian for help. They are amazing!
The most important thing is for your child to read and they have to love what they read.
Help with "Just Right" Books
It is very important that your children be reading books that are "just right" for them.
An error rate of 1 in 20 words suggests an easy text, an error rate of 1 in 10 suggests an instructional level text and an error rate of greater than 1 in 10 suggests a hard text (Fountas & Pinnell, 1999).
If the book is too difficult, it will lead to frustration; too little of a challenge will lead to boredom (Routman, 2003). So the book needs to be “just right.” A just right book is one that provides a little bit of a challenge for the student. It should be a book that the student finds interesting and can be read with a small amount of assistance with the text. Spending time reading just right books during independent reading time will help students become stronger.
K-2 Book Levels
In the fall teachers will give students an assessment that tells you what level your child should be reading at. This can help you pick out books for your child. The librarian is a great resource as well. Below are a few places where you can search for books at the "just right" level for your child.
Scholastic Book Wizard
Leveled Book Database
We know it can feel frustrating to watch your child read the same books over and over again. Graphic Novels are real books and reading books repeatedly increases confidence as well as fluency. As students grow more confident in their abilities, they begin to branch out. Here are some ways to slightly nudge your child in that direction.
1. If they only read non fiction, for example biographies, try and find a historical fiction book about the same time period. They can use their knowledge form nonfiction text to help them become interested in the new text.
2. Let your child listen to the book on cd for a few chapters until they are hooked. It's a great way to realize you may like books you didn't think you would.
3. Read a book at the same time as your child so you can discuss it.
4. Encourage your child to watch book trailers on youtube, they can hook a reader.
5. Ask a librarian for help. They are amazing!
The most important thing is for your child to read and they have to love what they read.