Tips for Reading with Your Child
The third grade classroom is a time of transition for young readers. From kindergarten through second grade, students are learning how to read. By the time third grade comes around, teachers begin teaching reading in a new way- how to read to learn. Much of the reading in class becomes academic in nature. Textbooks, longer non-fiction texts,newspapers, and even some academic journals are used in class. It becomes more important that students are engaging with a variety of books at home.
Set a Routine for Reading
Just like brushing teeth, putting clothes away and washing hands, set aside a specific time to read. Maybe your student needs to take a small break after school for a snack and some down time, that would be a great time for you to read with your child. Your child might need an extended time to relax before going to bed, that is another time you can read to your child. Find a time that works with you and your reader and stick to it.
Just like brushing teeth, putting clothes away and washing hands, set aside a specific time to read. Maybe your student needs to take a small break after school for a snack and some down time, that would be a great time for you to read with your child. Your child might need an extended time to relax before going to bed, that is another time you can read to your child. Find a time that works with you and your reader and stick to it.
Create a Reading Environment
You don't need to have a family library to provide a comfortable reading environment for your student. Does your child have their favorite seat in the house? Is there a comfortable sofa or armchair that they always come back to? Regardless of where that spot is, your reader is going to be more likely to read if they are comfortable doing it. Make sure that there is adequate lighting in that spot so that your student does not have to strain their eyes to read in comfort. Adding a lamp close to your reading spot will ensure that you and your student can see all of the words and illustrations.
You don't need to have a family library to provide a comfortable reading environment for your student. Does your child have their favorite seat in the house? Is there a comfortable sofa or armchair that they always come back to? Regardless of where that spot is, your reader is going to be more likely to read if they are comfortable doing it. Make sure that there is adequate lighting in that spot so that your student does not have to strain their eyes to read in comfort. Adding a lamp close to your reading spot will ensure that you and your student can see all of the words and illustrations.
Remember Ages and Stages
Believe it or not, your child is growing up! They are growing in years, in size, and in cognitive abilities, it is only natural for them to change taste in books and in reading activities. Try taking your child to the public library so they can pick out the books that interest them. If they are reluctant to you read to them one-on-one, try switching it up and have them read to you. Maybe they feel like they are too old to have story time but might enjoy a family read-aloud with high interest chapter books.
Believe it or not, your child is growing up! They are growing in years, in size, and in cognitive abilities, it is only natural for them to change taste in books and in reading activities. Try taking your child to the public library so they can pick out the books that interest them. If they are reluctant to you read to them one-on-one, try switching it up and have them read to you. Maybe they feel like they are too old to have story time but might enjoy a family read-aloud with high interest chapter books.
Try a Family Read-Aloud
While students may feel that they are too old for "story-time," a family read-aloud does not single out your child as needing to read or be read to. Instead this time is focused on family togetherness, sharing reading, and discussion based on the shared book. Every family read-aloud will look differently because of the nature of diverse families and interests.
Benefits: Family read-alouds provide children with access to books that they might have an interest in but are intimidated by the size of the book. When the reading is being shared, longer books seem more reasonable. In addition to this, books are filled with academic language. Rich, descriptive words such as aghast, furiously, and froth are all found in the book James and the Giant Peach. Quality fictitious literature uses rich vocabulary and naturally crosses the border of book language to the language found in non-fiction texts.
Here is an outline for how you can structure your family read-aloud.
"How did you feel about..."
"What do you think will happen next?"
"Which character can you relate to the most?"
"What would you do if you were in _______'s place?"
Or... Try This!
If family read-alouds are unrealistic for your life style, try listening to an audio book together during car rides. Pause the audio book to ask questions and discuss what you heard.
Benefits: Family read-alouds provide children with access to books that they might have an interest in but are intimidated by the size of the book. When the reading is being shared, longer books seem more reasonable. In addition to this, books are filled with academic language. Rich, descriptive words such as aghast, furiously, and froth are all found in the book James and the Giant Peach. Quality fictitious literature uses rich vocabulary and naturally crosses the border of book language to the language found in non-fiction texts.
Here is an outline for how you can structure your family read-aloud.
- Pick a time of day that the whole family is together.
- Choose a book that is of interest to all family members (ideas The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling, The Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis, James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl).
- Read at least one chapter every night at the intended time. One person can be the designated reader of the night or you can take turns reading the story to each other.
- Ask each other questions about the book.
"How did you feel about..."
"What do you think will happen next?"
"Which character can you relate to the most?"
"What would you do if you were in _______'s place?"
Or... Try This!
If family read-alouds are unrealistic for your life style, try listening to an audio book together during car rides. Pause the audio book to ask questions and discuss what you heard.
Encouragement for the Parent of a Reluctant Reader
Once upon a time... I despised reading. I did not enjoy reading to myself or my parents, I hid every time someone wanted to read aloud to me, I never wanted to check books out at the library, I avoided reading at all costs. Obviously my attitude towards reading has changed drastically since then. I love reading! My idea of a rainy day is a fire in my fireplace, a mug of tea, and a good book. So what happened? I found a reason to read.
The moral of my tale is this: My parents hoped to have a child that was an avid reader, a child that devoured books faster than ice cream and a child that longed for a rainy day, a cup of tea, and a book. Eventually they found that child, but it wasn't until I decided that I had a purpose for reading that I wanted to read. Each child will find a different reason to read. Maybe they enjoy the special time set aside for a family read-aloud or maybe they like talking to you about what they are reading. Maybe they are interested in an animal or time period that is featured in books. Don't despair. A day will come when your child will have a reason to read, and when they do, they will read.
The moral of my tale is this: My parents hoped to have a child that was an avid reader, a child that devoured books faster than ice cream and a child that longed for a rainy day, a cup of tea, and a book. Eventually they found that child, but it wasn't until I decided that I had a purpose for reading that I wanted to read. Each child will find a different reason to read. Maybe they enjoy the special time set aside for a family read-aloud or maybe they like talking to you about what they are reading. Maybe they are interested in an animal or time period that is featured in books. Don't despair. A day will come when your child will have a reason to read, and when they do, they will read.