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Guided Reading
Dear Parents, your child has been working very hard on learning sight words! We will usually learn three words at a time, sometimes more. We will practice these words for a week before moving on to new words. Since we have now learned a few words, I am going to start sending home a book and a reading log on Mondays as homework. Please have your child read each little book with you 5 times during that week and record it on their reading log. This can be completed by the following Monday. The reading log is to be kept in the clear pocket on the back of your child’s folder. Depending on your child’s individual reading level guided reading books will be sent home each night. Here are a few tips for reading these little books at home with your child: 1. Have your child point to each word as they read it. This helps young readers keep their place and track the text visually. It also reinforces moving left to right as they read. 2. Let your child read as much as possible on their own, helping only as needed. 3. If your child is unable to sound out some of the words, that is ok! We will be working on that skill this year. At this point, as long as they are practicing the sight words in each book, that is great! 4. Use the pictures as a clue to figure out unknown words. As your child develops more knowledge of letter sounds, they will begin using those sounds to decode (or sound out) simple words. 5. Give your child directions to follow. For example, “Find the letter ‘p’ and point to it.” “Find the word ‘am’ and point to it.” 6. Ask your child where the different parts of the book are (the front cover, back cover, title, and spine). Ask your child what the author’s job is and what the illustrator’s job is. 7. Ask your child questions about the story they are reading. This will help develop their comprehension skills. Thank you so much for your continued support of your child and our classroom! I am always amazed each year at how much these young readers learn and grow throughout the first grade year! Sincerely, Mrs. Bounds |