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<DIV><SPAN class=491454816-09022010>Hello! I just received the latest
Reading Rockets newsletter, and there is an excellent short article about how
parents can help their children develop reading comprehension. I've cut an
paste the whole article below and highlighted key concepts with red text, you
can download and print it in English and Spanish online at: <A
href="http://www.readingrockets.org/article/29918">http://www.readingrockets.org/article/29918</A>.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=491454816-09022010></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=491454816-09022010>While this article is directed at parents
with children who are already independent readers, these are excellent
strategies for parents reading aloud to younger children to help develop them
narrative skills--an early literacy skill critical for later reading
comprehension. This article reinforces the idea that children also need to
read things that they can decode easily because it fosters reading comprehension
and print motivation!</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=491454816-09022010></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=491454816-09022010>When working with parents of independent
readers, remember the 5 Finger Rule: ask the child to read one page of the book
and hold up one finger every time they come to a word they don't know. If
more than 5 fingers go up it's too hard, select another book.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=491454816-09022010></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=491454816-09022010>When working with parents of children 0-5
years old, you can find tips for selecting books online at: <A
href="http://www.parentsasteachers.org/site/pp.asp?c=ekIRLcMZJxE&b=307123">http://www.parentsasteachers.org/site/pp.asp?c=ekIRLcMZJxE&b=307123</A>.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=491454816-09022010></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=491454816-09022010>Enjoy,</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=491454816-09022010>Katie</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV align=center>Katie Anderson, Library Development Services</DIV>
<DIV align=center>* Youth Services Consultant * Oregon Center for the Book
Coordinator *</DIV>
<DIV align=center>Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301</DIV>
<DIV align=center><A
href="mailto:katie.anderson@state.or.us">katie.anderson@state.or.us</A>,
503-378-2528</DIV>
<DIV>
<H1>Reading for Meaning with Your Child</H1>
<DIV class=byLine>By: Reading Rockets (2009)</DIV>
<P>Reading with comprehension means understanding what's been read. It takes
practice, time, and patience to develop reading comprehension skills. Families
can play an important role in helping a child learn to read for
understanding.</P>
<P>First, make sure your child is reading<SPAN class=491454816-09022010>
</SPAN><FONT color=#ff0000><STRONG>books appropriate for their
reading </STRONG><STRONG>level</STRONG></FONT>. If a book is too hard, all
your child's energy will be put into decoding and reading word for word, with
less energy available to figure out what the book means. Books that your child
can read with 98-100% accuracy are good choices for comprehension building. </P>
<P>Reading comprehension skills can be developed <FONT
color=#ff0000><STRONG>using a before-during-after approach</STRONG></FONT>.
Below are a few suggestions that will help build comprehension skills.</P>
<H3>Before</H3>
<P>Your goal is to help your child build an understanding of and purpose for
what they're about to read. Look at the book's cover. <FONT
color=#ff0000><STRONG>Ask, "What do you think this book might be about? Why? Can
you make some predictions?"</STRONG></FONT> Guide your child through the pages,
discuss the pictures, and brainstorm what might happen in the story. <FONT
color=#ff0000><STRONG>Talk about any personal experiences your child may have
that relate to the story</STRONG></FONT>. </P>
<H3>During</H3>
<P>Your goal is to help your child be an active reader. <FONT
color=#ff0000><STRONG>Read together</STRONG></FONT> and talk about what's
happening as they're reading. Stop and <FONT color=#ff0000><STRONG>discuss any
interesting or tricky vocabulary words</STRONG></FONT>. <FONT
color=#ff0000><STRONG>Talk about any surprising or sad passages</STRONG></FONT>,
and <FONT color=#ff0000><STRONG>help them visualize parts of the
story</STRONG></FONT>. Ask your child, "Do you understand what's happening here?
What do you think will happen next?" If your child seems unsure, stop, <FONT
color=#ff0000><STRONG>go back and reread if necessary</STRONG></FONT>. Discuss
any confusing parts.</P>
<H3>After</H3>
<P>Your goal is to help your child reflect on what they've read. <FONT
color=#ff0000><STRONG>Summarize and share your favorite part of the
book</STRONG></FONT>. Have your child rate the book on a scale from 1 to 10 and
say why. Have your child <FONT color=#ff0000><STRONG>reread their favorite part
or act it out</STRONG></FONT>. </P>
<P>Take the extra time before and during reading to read with your child this
way. You'll soon find yourself reading with a child who is motivated to
comprehend and learn from everything they read.</P></DIV></BODY></HTML>