READING

COUNTS!

Central Elementary
Nevada, IA
Januar y 2015
Volume 6, Issue 2

Reading Newsletter

Whats going on at Central

Conferences are being scheduled for
January 31 and February 3 and 5.
To make the most of your conference, here
are some ideas from the Chapter 1 Parent
Involvement Center.
Before the Conference:
*Look at the work your child brings home.
Write down any questions you may have.
*Talk to your child about their work so you
know what they are thinking about their
work.
After the Conference:
* Did you understand what was said? If not,
please call the school and talk again with
the teachers.
* Talk with your child about the conference.
Be positive and point out all their strengths.
* Make a plan that works for your family.
* If at anytime you have questions, call the
school. To get in touch with any of the
reading teachers call or e-mail.

Reading Teachers at Central

Mrs. Cave: lcave@nevada.k12.ia.us
Phone: 382-2383 Ext. 426
Mrs. Elsasser: kelsasser@nevada.k12.ia.us
Phone: 382-2383 Ext. 425
Mrs. Hewitt: jhewitt@nevada.k12.ia.us
Phone: 382-2383 Ext. 402
Mrs. Klopstad: eklopstad@nevada.k12.ia.us
Phone: 382-2383 Ext. 428
Mrs. McCarville: mmccarville@nevada.k12.ia.us
Phone: 382-2383 Ext. 423
Mrs. Swanson: mswanson@nevada.k12.ia.us
Phone: 382-2383 Ext. 424

Questions from
Parents
How can I help my first grader when
they are just beginning to read? It is

VERY important that you read to your beginning

reader. They hear how good reading sounds and
they learn lots of words they will need to know.
As you are reading have your child point out
words that they recognize. Then as you come to
that word again have your child read it to you.
You and your child can also write simple stories.
After you write them have your child read them
back to you. You can write them on strips and cut
them into puzzles to make them even more fun!

How can I help my child at home with

comprehending stories that they read?

One of the best ways you can help your child with
understanding the stories they are reading is to
ask questions periodically as they read either
aloud or to themselves. (If they read to
themselves you need to read the story before you
ask questions.)
Some ideas are: Who is the main character?
Do you see any connection with the characters
in this book/story? What was the main idea of
that section or chapter you just read?
You may also ask them to tell you about what
they just read. But you need to read the story as
well to know how accurate they are.

Upcoming Events
January 19 Reading Night @ Central: 6:00-7:30
January 31 Saturday Conferences from 8:00-12:00
February 3 and 5 Dismissal @ 2:00
February 23-27 Iowa Assessments

For Your Information

Fun Ways to Bring

Reading Home

Ways to help your child when they are reading:

1. Make sure their eyes are on the words. If
they are not looking at the words, they
are not reading.
2. Try having your child slide their finger
along below Start
the words.
Thisyear
encourages
the new
with a new routine:
smooth
reading.
Make a Family Reading Night. Find a time when
3. If they
make a can
mistake,
wait until
everyone
read please
something.
Limit the
theydistractions.
finish the page
to
see
if
they
Shut off the TV.can
BE realistic. Start
correct
IF they do
not,
youup to longer
withthemselves.
only 5-10 minutes
and
work
may prompt them to look again by saying
periods of time. BE THE EXAMPLE!! If your
something such as, One word in there
child sees you having fun, they will have fun.
tricked you. Look closely. Can you find
As your beginning reader can read more
it? or Did that make sense? Try that
and more words it is fun for them to see just
again.
how many words they can read. Make a list and
4. If the
reading sounds choppy, it is great
put to
it model
on thehow
refrigerator.
Every time a new word
for you
fluent reading
is
learned
add
it
to
the
list.
When
sounds and then have your child try
to the list gets
up the
to 30
or and
so words
them in a notebook
reread
page
sound write
like you.
andreading
draw pictures
to and
show
the meaning.
Your
(Fluent
is smooth
sounds
like
child will have their first dictionary!!
talking).
5. Praise them for doing something well.
Your approval is so important.
6. Get excited when your child reads a
difficult word. (If your child reads the
word pineapple correctly say, Wow!
Great job reading the word pineapple).
7. Smile, make happy eye contact and use a
caring and happy voice.
your
child goes
tothe
read
a text, have him or
8. When
Try asking
questions
about
story.
her a.
useCan
the I-Pick
method
to
explain
why that
you tell me one or two
specific text was chosen. Ask your child,Is that a
things that you remember
good-fit book for you? show me how you know
about the story?
that.
b. What is one thing you
The I-Pick Method is:
I-I picklearned
a book about the story?
c. Can(What
you tell
thefor choosing this
P-Purpose
is me
my about
purpose
story
from
the
beginning,
the
book?)
middle
and
the
end?
I-Interest (Am I interested in this book?)
C-Comprehend (Do I understand what I just read?
K-Know (Do I know most of the words?)
Help your child recognize if a book is too difficult
now. They can always return to it when it fits
better!

Some Ideas for Great

Books

Reading Counts! Page 2

Reading Websites to use at Home

We believe the best reading practice comes from
reading books, but these websites have some fun
games to promote reading also. Enjoy!!
pbskids.org/lions/
http://www.janbrett.com/
Most children can also log onto IXL Math or Raz
Kids and practice at home! Ask your classroom
teacher for details.

Reminders to Parents