Reading is so much more than just opening a book and reading the words. Children have to learn to predict, analyze and visualize what they read. These are skills that we are not born with, but develop over years of practice. Many times, as adults, we take these things for granted. Below are a few reading secrets to help make your time with your students a rich learning experience.
- Always, always, always start with the title and pictures.
Look at and talk about the title of the book and pictures before you read. Ask the students questions about what is happening in the pictures. Young children can be asked to point to various objects in the picture to increase vocabulary. Don’t forget to ask questions about non-verbal communication happening in pictures. This process is often called a “Picture Walk.” Take a trip through the pictures before you read any of the story. - Encourage prediction.
As you look at the pictures, ask the students what they think is happening. It is okay to guide them if necessary. As they read, ask the children what they think is going to happen next. Help the students get excited and start to predict as they read. - Ask Questions.
Ask simple to complex comprehension questions about the story based on the ability level of your students. Questions can include who, what, where, when why and how. Try to ask one question per page. - Don’t assume your students can sound out the word.
It is very easy to see a word that a child is struggling with and tell him or her to sound it out. If the student struggles longer than three seconds, give him or her the word. You want your time to be fun and enjoyable. It will become a chore if students are constantly sounding out words. If your students cannot read more than five words on the first few pages of a picture book, this is a clue that the text is too difficult. Suggest taking turns reading pages and select a lower level for next time. Similarly, you don’t want your students to expect you to read every word. Here are some ways to encourage them to predict the word:- Ask the students if they think they know the word.
- Do you know the first letter?
- Do you know any parts of the word?
- Five finger rule.
This is a great rule for chapter books. If a child selects a book and does not know 5 words on the first page, the book is not at the appropriate reading level. Readers grow by reading fluently; this will not happen if they select text that is too difficult. - Emphasize Inflection.
When reading to young children, you will often need to make silly voices and be overly dramatic to keep their attention. When students get older, don’t lose this inflection. While the silly voices may disappear, the emotion in the book needs to remain in order to teach children how to read with inflection. - Challenge them.
Often, children will pick books that are too easy because they feel success and comfort with these books. Encourage them to branch out and select books at the higher end of their ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development)/Reading Level. If you know the text is going to be challenging, take turns reading pages or read it to them the first time. The ultimate goal is for every child to grow into a strong, independent reader; he or she will need to be challenged to do this. There is a fine line between challenge and frustration, but that is why you are there to help.