By
Mattie Fallen
Reading Specialist
Ft. Belvoir Elementary

What is reading? Reading is constructing meaning. Readers construct meaning by making connections to the text. Readers make connections to the text by interacting--thinking about what they are reading; drawing on past experiences and how these experiences relate to the text; visualizing (making pictures in their heads) about what they are reading; and asking questions about what they are reading--not just after they are finished, but while they are reading. Making connections help us to comprehend what we read.

What can you do to help your child to become a better reader?

•  Encourage your child to read daily.

•  Establish a purpose for reading.

•  Encourage your child to read a variety of genre (newspaper, magazines, non-fiction, mystery, etc.). Scholastic News , Weekly Reader , Ranger Rick , Time for Kids are good non-fiction magazines.

•  Watch meaningful television shows that will widen your child's experiences (i.e. Discovery Channel, PBS, etc.). Watch these shows with your child. Discuss what you see and hear. Ask questions to help make connections.

•  Increase your child's independent reading time to help build stamina.

•  Read with your child.
Talk with your child about the text or story.
Ask "What" questions to help identify the main idea.
Ask "How" and "Why" questions to help make inference while reading.
What is inference? Inference is reading between the lines. Writers usually don't tell us everything.
Therefore, we must figure out some things for ourselves. How do we do this?
Putting together what we already know (background experience/knowledge) plus what we just learned equals inference .

•  Ask your child to retell the story or information learned in sequential order.

•  Have your child write about some of the stories or lessons learned.

•  Remember to encourage your child--don't push. Reading should become a natural, pleasant experience.

•  Have your child reread familiar stories to build fluency.

Just like any other skill, practice makes perfect. We become better readers by reading!