Third grade is a big year for reading! This is the year students make the switch from "learning to read" to "reading to learn." We will be doing a lot in class to improve our reading skills, but those skills are better maintained if they are practiced frequently, including reading at home. Check out the suggestions below for ways in which you can help your child become a better reader.
*Read with your child at least 20 minutes every night. The best way for a child to become a stronger reader is simply to read more!
*Discuss what you and your child are reading together. Stop and have them make predictions periodically. At the end of the story, ask your child about the characters, setting, and plot. Ask your child what this story reminds them of or any connections they made. This ensures that your child is thinking while they're reading, and not just saying the words.
*Improve your child's fluency by modeling reading with expression. Use the punctuation as a guide. Give characters different voice. Read in different volumes depending on the action of the story.
*Read a variety of texts. Books are not the only medium in which you can practice reading. Pick up a children's magazine from the grocery store, thumb through a comic book together, or research and read about a topic on-line. It all counts as reading!
*If your child is still struggling with sounding out words, have them "chunk" the word. This means breaking the word up into manageable parts. For example, let's use the word "example." Cover up all but the "ex" and help them figure that part out. Then, uncover the "amp." Last, show the last two letters of the word. They should be able to put it all together!
*Make reading fun! If it feels like a chore, it's going to be harder to get your child to practice. Make it part of your nightly routine, something special that you and your child do together.
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