Good news! The Howard Winneshiek Community Schools Foundation, HWCSF, has approved and awarded me a grant to purchase new books for my Reading Recovery students! The books that I have selected are books that are written in a series. Books in a series are books that revolve around the same characters. Children love reading books in a series. They learn so much from them, too. Through these characters, they learn how to deal with problems that arise, learn about character traits, finding similarities in their own lives, and just enjoy reading about the characters' reactions to different experiences. Thanks, HWCSF! The students thank you, too!
The more that you know about a topic, the easier it is to read a book about it and understand what you are reading. Many of our students would have little difficulty reading and understanding a story about farm animals because we live in a rural community. Most of us know a farmer or have seen farm animals. Farm animals are something that we have some knowledge about.
However, if given a story about creatures of the sea, very few of our students have been to the ocean or an aquarium to have any background knowledge about sea life. A book that talks about a coral reef can be as difficult for our students as a doctor's manual would be for you or me, if we have no experience or knowledge of the subject. In order for students to be successful readers, especially with non-fiction text, we need to help them build background knowledge about topics that are unfamiliar to them. To build background knowledge for our students, we can read books aloud on the topic, or use photographs, discussions, or multimedia to give students a glimpse into the topic. One of my favorite ways to build background knowledge is to use short videos. Students are better able to comprehend a story about a coral reef, or understand tide pools, if they are able to see them in action. Discussions to build background knowledge should include vocabulary related to the topic, as well as words that may have multiple meanings. Analogies can be made to help students make connections between what they know and new knowledge. It is important to help your child build background knowledge on topics that are new to them. We need to help them make that link from the known to the unknown. We are all teachers, helping children to learn and build that vast expanse of knowledge needed to read nonfiction text.
"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." — Emilie Buchwald
Children learn so much from listening to you read. They learn what a good reader sounds like. They become familiar with 'book talk'. They find comfort and joy in the magic of the moment. They learn that letters and words tell the story of the pictures. They make connections with the characters. Take the time every day to make some memories reading with your child. Reread that favorite story again and again. Help your child to discover a love of reading! |