Watching students improve their reading is very exciting.
Many of the families I work with know that I taught reading for 16 years.
After leaving my full-time job, I stumbled upon a strategy that really accelerates children's reading ability.
If children would use this strategy when they start reading they would be much better off.
If I had focused on this strategy with students in the classroom, they would have advanced much more quickly.
Some of the students that come to our reading center are just beginning to read for the first time.
For those not struggling, I would still tell them the best way to learn to read is using intensive phonics.
For children wanting to finish their first book, they should use the same strategy.
I tell my students and their parents, to focus on the rules of phonics when learning to read or improve reading skills and comprehension.
Don't UsePictures to Teach Reading Comprehension So a child looks at a book.
They like the picture of the bear.
It's fun to read!However, they should not be taught to read by looking at the picture of the bear.
Do not associate the picture of the bear with the word bear.
It's tempting, especially when you see so many children picture books.
And many publishers try to closely match the pictures with the text.
Teach bear using basic phonics.
Have your child sound the word out.
Focus on the sounds - b-e-a-r.
Actually, the word bear is somewhat tricky because ear sounds like air, which is not a beginning phonics rule.
But I included it here, because you might see it in a beginning level book and it's such a fun character to have in a children's book.
Choose Your First Book Carefully to Teach Reading Comprehension The best first book for a child is one that has simple basic words where they can be taught what each sound of the word makes.
For a beginning reader, their first lesson and their first book should have words with basic phonic sounds - the consonants that make only one sound and short vowel sounds.
If they are sounding out the word and not guessing or being taught to memorize words, then it will be easier for them to understand the word.
Sounding out the word is a left brain activity.
Understanding the word is a right brain activity.
Looking at flash cards is a right brain activity and causes the child to look at words as pictures.
Words are not pictures.
This makes reading very confusing.
Pick a Leveled Book to Teach Reading Comprehension Companies like Scholastic have books that are clearly marked with a level.
Find one of these books and a subject or story your child will like.
You like to read about things that interest you.
So do your children.
It might be a little easier if you pick a few books and your child gets to pick from your choices rather than having them pick a book from a library shelf or a bookstore shelf.
This may sound basic...
and it is.
So enjoythis exciting time with your children as they read their first book and improve their reading comprehension.
Many of the families I work with know that I taught reading for 16 years.
After leaving my full-time job, I stumbled upon a strategy that really accelerates children's reading ability.
If children would use this strategy when they start reading they would be much better off.
If I had focused on this strategy with students in the classroom, they would have advanced much more quickly.
Some of the students that come to our reading center are just beginning to read for the first time.
For those not struggling, I would still tell them the best way to learn to read is using intensive phonics.
For children wanting to finish their first book, they should use the same strategy.
I tell my students and their parents, to focus on the rules of phonics when learning to read or improve reading skills and comprehension.
Don't UsePictures to Teach Reading Comprehension So a child looks at a book.
They like the picture of the bear.
It's fun to read!However, they should not be taught to read by looking at the picture of the bear.
Do not associate the picture of the bear with the word bear.
It's tempting, especially when you see so many children picture books.
And many publishers try to closely match the pictures with the text.
Teach bear using basic phonics.
Have your child sound the word out.
Focus on the sounds - b-e-a-r.
Actually, the word bear is somewhat tricky because ear sounds like air, which is not a beginning phonics rule.
But I included it here, because you might see it in a beginning level book and it's such a fun character to have in a children's book.
Choose Your First Book Carefully to Teach Reading Comprehension The best first book for a child is one that has simple basic words where they can be taught what each sound of the word makes.
For a beginning reader, their first lesson and their first book should have words with basic phonic sounds - the consonants that make only one sound and short vowel sounds.
If they are sounding out the word and not guessing or being taught to memorize words, then it will be easier for them to understand the word.
Sounding out the word is a left brain activity.
Understanding the word is a right brain activity.
Looking at flash cards is a right brain activity and causes the child to look at words as pictures.
Words are not pictures.
This makes reading very confusing.
Pick a Leveled Book to Teach Reading Comprehension Companies like Scholastic have books that are clearly marked with a level.
Find one of these books and a subject or story your child will like.
You like to read about things that interest you.
So do your children.
It might be a little easier if you pick a few books and your child gets to pick from your choices rather than having them pick a book from a library shelf or a bookstore shelf.
This may sound basic...
and it is.
So enjoythis exciting time with your children as they read their first book and improve their reading comprehension.
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