Just a few thoughts about reading as we begin this new year...
Even though your child is on the fifth grade reading level this year, daily, sustained, independent reading is still an important practice. If you look at the picture below, you will see that reading 15-20 minutes most nights of the week can have a profound impact on your child's overall reading proficiency. Even though your child isn't a brand new reader, reading should continue to be an automatic part of your child's homework practice! We try to make time every day for independent reading everyday during Independent Reading (I.R.)., but it is crucial that your child read in and out of school. The best readers are generally the children that read the most! Expose your child to a variety of texts: realistic fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, informational texts, poetry, mysteries, biographies, and even pictures books. There in an increased need to comprehend informational texts for readers as they grow! The most important thing is to make reading a part of your child's routine.
Keep reading! It is never too late to add more reading time to your daily routine.
Keep reading! It is never too late to add more reading time to your daily routine.
Think about it by the end of 5th grade, student "A" will have read an equivalent of 60 whole school days. Student "B" will have read only 12 school days. Which student would you expect to have a better vocabulary? Which student would you expect to be more successful in school... and in life?