At the beginning of each school year I assess my students and put them into levelled groups for reading instruction. Each group receives some form of a ‘guided reading’ program directed at their group’s ability level. This year most students in my class will receive instruction in the Read Well program, where some will move on to junior novel studies, depending on reading levels. Jolly Phonics will be used for one group in order to teach or refresh knowledge of the letters of the alphabet – their names and their sounds.
The Read Well program is small group, explicit instruction in the 5 components of reading – phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. This becomes their foundation for word building and reading. Weekly units focus on learning the new sound, building words, learning ‘tricky’ words (ones that are not sounded out), reading text, and writing. Initially the written portion focuses on the correct formation of letters and simple words and develops into the answering of questions for comprehension, in later units.
Beginning with Unit 2, a pink ‘homework’ sheet will come home each week. You can help your child with the reading process by going over this pink sheet with them, as well as with their completed weekly units when they are sent home. An additional practise sheet (blue) will be sent home with each unit.
Research has shown that children have an easier time learning how to read when they experience being read to on a regular basis. It helps them develop a sense of the parts of a story and how stories develop. This can be in any language that is spoken at your home.
Students are also encouraged to read each evening with an adult. Library books from either the Rosser library or the McGill library are good sources of literature.
Home Reading books will be sent home (beginning in the New Year). These will come home in a large Ziplock baggie with a Reading Record booklet inside. Please help your child by recording the book title and by reading this book several times and return it by the next date so your child can receive a new book. Books will be sent home on Mondays and Thursdays. [At the early levels the books are short and I will likely send home more than one at a time. More challenging books, at the higher levels, are much longer.]
Reading together can be such a rewarding and pleasant pastime.
Enjoy!