Viking Voyage
October 8, 2017
Home to School Connections-We need families to read together
10 Tips for Reading @ Home
Here are some easy ways that you can help your child become a strong, successful reader:
1. Set a routine.
Setting routines for mornings and evening helps children cope with stresses that may arise from starting a new school year. Routines have many benefits, namely, children feel comfortable and stable in their environment, resulting in more cooperative behavior inside and outside of school.
2. Read at home.
Reading regularly at home provides children with the practice they need to become great readers. Remember, “The more kids read, the better they read,” and the same holds true for the opposite effect, “the less kids read, the more they struggle with reading.” Beyond practice time, reading at home reinforces a positive attitude around reading—kids start to enjoy reading! The best way to incorporate reading in the household is to devote at least 20 minutes, at the same time every evening, to family reading time. Make it part of a routine! Another fun idea is to have children read to their pet, siblings, or stuffed animals, like a game.
We want students to realize how enjoyable it is to read in all aspects of life--not just at school and not just school textbooks. We want families to have fun and help bring reading to life!
It can be anything you choose to read!
- A book they have read a million times
- A picture book you loved as a child
- Letters from family
- Books online
- Articles about things that students enjoy
- Poems
- Song lyrics
- Comic Books
The important part is reading together, enjoying each other's time and discussing what you are reading.
3. Make a special reading spot.
Find a special reading spot! This can be as simple as placing a few pillows in a favorite place where parents/guardians join them. This special spot can provide comfort while reading and make it part of the household routine.
4. Be a great reading partner!
It’s no fun to read when you’re forced to or feel embarrassed to read. Building trust and supporting your reader is as crucial as a reading partner. Here are some tips for becoming a great reading partner:
- Be patient and encouraging.
- Read aloud and track the words with your finger as you are reading.
- Read the same stories over and over. Try reading the same stories in different ways, with different voices to make it fun and interesting.
- Ask questions about the story while you’re reading to see if they follow the story.
- Pick books that are at the right level for your young reader—5+ mistakes on one page is too hard. No mistakes or only one mistake per page is too easy.
- Gently correct mistakes and re-read the entire sentence.
- Give positive feedback about all the reading!
5. Surround your child with books.
Having access to books at home is a strong indicator of higher reading achievement. When children have access to books in their home, they become familiar with books and the act of reading, giving them a head start in learning. A child who looks at books and reads with his or her parents/guardians every day has a major advantage compared to children who never read at home. Simply interacting with books on a regular basis makes a huge difference in a child’s development.
6. Bring books everywhere.
Incorporating books into everyday activities will continue to help children become more familiar with books and will encourage everyday reading. Place books in every room of the house, in the car, and take books everywhere.
7. Set a good example; be caught in the act!
Read in front of your children! Let them see how you enjoy reading. Find books that were your favorite as a child and read it to them and tell them why you loved it. If you are reading a story or an article, tell them what it is about in kid language and let them ask questions about what you like to read!
8. Set reading goals at home!
Decide how many minutes a night you will read with your child and chart your progress.
9. Be enthusiastic!
Positive attitudes generate a desire to read. Showing genuine excitement for reading skills will encourage them to become great readers. Struggling readers may start to develop a negative attitude towards reading, but showing them that reading can be fun will get them excited about reading time.
10. Have FUN!!!
Reading is a lifelong adventure and helps your child have more success in all they do.
These tips come from a blog on a website called: Readingpartners.org
I have included a link for you!
National Walk to School Day-the Morning of Wednesday, 0ct. 10th
We will have two "walking bus stops". These are spots where you can drop your student off to staff or join us in the walk to school:
1. Bailey Lake Pavilion
or
2.South Burleson Baptist Church parking lot on Hidden Creek
Each "walking bus stop" will have staff there beginning at 7:00 am and the walk will begin at 7:15am from each spot. All the students that participate in the walk to school day will receive a snack from HEB when they arrive at Norwood.
If it is raining at 7:00 am; the walk will be canceled.
Upcoming Events
- Every Thursday is College Shirt Day (with the standard dress for pants, skirt, or shorts)
- Every Friday is Norwood Spirit Shirt Day (with the standard dress for pants, skirt, or shorts)
- Monday, Oct. 8-School holiday
- Oct. 22-26 Red Ribbon Week, Book Fair, and Canned Food Drive
- Tuesday, Oct. 23-Read -Or-Treat 5:30-7:00
- Friday, Oct. 26-Grandparents Breakfast; Story Book Dress Up Day (no masks or face paint) students bring the book for the character
Tracey Besgrove-Principal
Email: tbesgrove@bisdmail.net
Website: http://norwood.burlesonisd.net/
Location: 619 Evelyn Lane, Burleson, TX, United States
Phone: (817)-245-3400
Twitter: @nwdvikings