Family Literacy News
November 2022
What's Happening This Month
1. Visit our local library with your loved ones. In addition to books, find out about all the programming the library has to offer such as classes, workshops, movie nights, reading groups and more.
2. Join and participate in a book club or start a book club. You can add some fun and get creative with your book club meeting by having activities or serving food related to the books your group is reading.
3. Create a book exchange in your neighborhood. Simply set up a small container (some people have used large birdhouses or mailboxes) to house the books and protect them from the elements and a sign that reads, "Take a book, leave a book," for your neighbors to share books.
4. Share the love and joy of reading. Volunteer to read to patients in the hospital, to children in preschool, or to the elderly in a nursing facility. You may even want to check out the Paws and Paperbacks program through the San Diego Humane Society It costs nothing to be kind and to share your time with those who could use your smile and an open book.
5. Read, read, and read some more. Read about any and everything that interests you. No matter what it may be, read for the enjoyment of reading. If you are having a hard time deciding, try a curated book list like the Children's Choices 2020 or the Young Adults' Choices 2020
Source: International Literacy Association, Loyola University Maryland
November Literacy Focus: Sight Words
Each month we will be highlighting a skill involved in the process of learning to read, this month's focus is on sight words.
What is a Sight Word?
Sight words are words that should be read instantly and effortlessly. The goal is for every word to be a sight word (can be read instantly and effortlessly). Some words are taught as sight words because they cannot be "sounded out," while other words are taught as sight words because they occur frequently in material that an individual reads and writes. Memorizing sight words will help your child read more accurately and fluently.
Tips for Teaching Sight Words:
• Make sure your child knows their letters and sounds first.
•Do not teach too many at once. If your child confuses words already, do not keep introducing more.
•If sight words can be sounded out (that, in, went, etc) it is still okay to sound these words out.
•Connect the sounds to the letters. For example, the sound /th/ is represented by the letters th.
•Practice words in context. Put a new sight word in a simple sentence. Make several sentences for the new sight words to give your child multiple opportunities to practice the words in context.
Ways to Practice at Home:
Click here for a list of Sight Word Activities to do at home.
November Picture Books
Do you know the story behind the famous balloons in the Macy's Day Parade? Balloons Over Broadway tells all about the puppeteer, Tony Sarg, who invented these famous balloons! You will love this story of how the beautiful balloons in the Macy’s parade came to be! A new and different story to add to your Thanksgiving picture books.
Reflections
As we begin the month of November and reflect on what we are thankful for, our students and their families are at the top of our lists. We are so thankful for the love, joy, and fun you bring into our lives daily.
TEACHER CONTACT INFOMATION
Ms. Atkinson- marybeth.atkinson@santeesd.net
Ms. Dubnika- kathleen.dubnicka@santeesd.net
Ms. Rote- emily.rote@santeesd.net
Mrs. Towne- debbie.towne@santeesd.net