Parents’ Tips and Tricks October 28, 2014 Presented by: Kara Passage, Megan Pellegrino, Karen Sabatino, and Kimberly Savolskis Parents’ Tips and Tricks • • • • • • • Seven Keys to Comprehension Literature Genres/”Just Right” Books Stop and Jot/Reading Responses Questioning Inference Building Stamina Talking About Books Seven Keys to Comprehension • Reading is an interactive process in which good readers engage in a constant internal dialogue with the text • Good readers use 7 keys to unlock meaning • To read well, readers must regularly use these strategies Seven Keys to Comprehension 1. Create Mental Images – Good readers create a wide range of visual, auditory, and other sensory images as they read – They become emotionally involved with what they read Seven Keys to Comprehension 2. Use Background Knowledge (Schema) – Good readers use their relevant prior knowledge before, during, and after reading to enhance their understanding of what they’re reading Seven Keys to Comprehension 3. Ask Questions – Good readers generate questions before, during, and after reading • To clarify meaning • To make predictions • To focus on what’s important Seven Keys to Comprehension 4. Make Inferences – Good readers use their prior knowledge and information from what they read to: • • • • Make predictions Seek answers to questions Draw conclusions Create interpretations that deepen their understanding of the text Seven Keys to Comprehension 5. Determine Importance – Good readers identify key ideas or themes as they read, and they can distinguish between important and unimportant information Seven Keys to Comprehension 6. Synthesize Information – Good readers track their thinking as it evolves during reading to get the overall meaning Seven Keys to Comprehension 7. Use Fix-up Strategies – Good readers are aware of when they understand and when they don’t – If they have trouble understanding specific words, phrases, or longer passages, they use a wide range of problem-solving strategies • Rereading, asking questions, using a dictionary, and reading the passage aloud Literature Genres 1. Fiction – – – – – – Traditional Literature Fantasy Science Fiction Realistic Fiction Historical Fiction Mystery 2. Nonfiction – Informational – Biography – Autobiography 3. Poetry Literature Forms • Kindergarten/Grade 1: – – – – Oral stories Picture Books Wordless picture books Information picture books • Grade 2: – – – – – Oral Stories Informational picture books Picture story books Beginning chapter books Beginning series books “Just Right” Books: Parent Tips • Pre-reading skills: – Moving into “Just Right” books, you child should be able to: • • • • • 1 to 1 match Concepts about Print Reads own writing Includes initial and final letters in writing Writes with spacing “Just Right” Books: Parent Tips (cont’d) • Level A: – Read and reread simple texts with help! – Point to each word • Level B: – Read and reread simple texts with help! – Finger point while saying each word • Level C: – Self-correcting – Vary voice when encountering dialogue “Just Right” Books: Parent Tips (cont’d) • Level D: – No longer pointing to each word – Attention to word endings • Level E: – Chooses text with familiar vocabulary • Level F: – Texts include content beyond home, neighborhoods, and school “Just Right” Books: Parent Tips (cont’d) • Level G: – Reading for understanding. – Self-correcting and rereading • Level H: – Begins silent reading – Oral reading: • • • • Appropriate rate Phrasing Intonation Word Stress “Just Right” Books: Parent Tips (cont’d) • Level I: – Begin short chapter books with single point of view and illustrations – Nonfiction texts focused on single topic • Level J: – Silent reading – Begin using post its! and writing responses • Level K: – Oral reading fluency: • • • • • Appropriate rate Word stress Intonation Phrasing Pausing “Just Right” Books: Parent Tips (cont’d) • Level L: – Solve complex words (i.e. Multi-syllable words, contractions, content specific) • Level M: – Begin chapter books • Level N: – Solve words smoothly and automatically • Level O: – Some abstract themes require inferential thinking to gain meaning – Read and fully understand text “Just Right” Books: Parent Tips (cont’d) • Level P: – More abstract texts child must demonstrate understanding • Level Q: – Longer descriptive words, content specific words, and technical words that require the use of content clues, schema, and readers’ tools. • Level R: – A variety of layouts and fonts – Use illustration for more context clues “Just Right” Books: Parent Tips (cont’d) • Level S: – Understanding of cultural diversity – Understand of deeper meanings to important human problems and social issues • Level T: – More complex text, your child demonstrates an understanding for the text. • Level U - Z: – Levels become more challenging and contain more complex sentences and paragraphs. – Level U: Characteristics similar to level T – Level V: Increase use of symbolism – Level W: Themes are multidimensional – Levels X, Y, and Z: More mature themes Stop and Jot and Reading Responses • Comprehension is the reason for reading. If readers can read the words but do not understand what they are reading, they are not really reading • As they read, good readers are both purposeful and active Stop and Jot Stop and Jot Questioning • Since children are naturally brimming full with questions, it is easy to funnel their question-asking talents to help them more fully interact with books • Good readers ask questions that they have before reading, during reading, and after reading. If you and your child are reading a book that is of high interest to your child (especially non-fiction), you may want to consider keeping track of your before, during, and after questions Questioning Questioning • Most questions are not answered right away, some are there if you look hard enough, and others are not there at all. • Help your child answer questions that he/she may have by writing them down and then reading to find them. Become detectives! Questioning How to Thoughtfully Respond to Reading • Encourage your child to ask questions as he/she reads is part of a larger task: inspiring wonder. There are so many things to wonder about: I wonder what a black hole is. I wonder why people risk their lives to climb Mt. Everest. I wonder how life began...Before you start reading a book with your child, play the “I Wonder” game • Hold a conversation and discuss what your child has read. Ask your child probing questions about the book and connect the events to his or her own life. For example, say "I wonder why that girl did that?" or "How do you think he felt? Why?" and "So, what lesson can we learn here?" Questioning Inference Building Stamina and Engaging Your Child in Book Discussions What is stamina? • Strong readers have stamina • Stamina builds strength, endurance and muscle memory to aid in comprehension Why Build Stamina? • • • • To establish good reading habits Develop a love of reading Develop independent literacy routines Independent reading time is essential to the Common Core How can I help my child build stamina? • Model a love of reading and good reading habits • Develop a sense of urgency for reading by making reading time a priority • Establish a meeting place • Identify a book nook • Have “tools” accessible • Foster Independence • Give positive feedback • Enjoy this quality time! • Set Goals • Start small (5 minute intervals, then increase) • Use a timer *20 minutes uninterrupted/1 book a week • Chart progress, include incentives Some Final Thoughts “The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions” Ralph Waldo Emerson The mind is like a parachute, it only functions when open. Resources Utilized • 7 Keys to Comprehension: How to Help Your Kids Read It and Get It by Susan Zimmermann and Chryse Hutchins