Hello,
I would like to share an article I read in the December 2009 issue of THE READING TEACHER. A reading specialist in an elementary school in New Jersey implemented a parent/child reading program that helped to increase the reading level of kindergartners.
First, the selects a short passage to her child. This can be a poem, a rhyme or a song lyric. The parent then reads the passage 2-4 times out loud to the child, pointing to the words as they are read. A short chat about the content follows.
Second, the parent and child read the passage together, at the same time, 204 times. This time the child can point to the text as it is read.
Third, the child reads the text out loud to her parent, 2-4 times again. The child points to the words as she reads them.
Fourth, the parent and child talk briefly about one phonics feature in the text. The example given in the article is for the rhyme Little Bo Peep. Using words from the -eep family, "write a list of words from the poem that contain that rhyme, and then brainstorm and write other words" from the same family.
This is a wonderful interactive lesson that is fun for both the parent and the child. Plus, the entire session lasts only 10-15 minutes.
Let me know if you try this activity with your own child. I would love to hear your success stories as well as any challenges you experience.
Happy Reading,
Kathleen
