Reading:
Time for Kids:
Online Informational articles for students.
Students can explore a variety of non-fiction articles written for kids. There are many topics of interest. Just click the picture below!
Scholastic Book Wizard:
Finding the reading level of books.
Here a scholastic site that gives you the grade level or guided reading level for many books. Just click on the picture below.
Storyline Online
Here is a site for listening and reading along with picture books. Click on the picture below. You must be on a computer for this to work.
Home Reading in Grade 4A
We are now using the library regularly. Students should be reading each night with a book at their independent level. Please read the information about home reading and appropriate book levels below.
HOME READING:
Your child should be bringing home an independent reading book for our Home Reading. Unless your child is a struggling reader, he/she has to be taking responsibility for choosing this book from our library or from books at home. I teach them how to select books and remind them about taking the book home. I need parents to be sure to ask their children about the independent reading book and provide time for them to read each night.
When your child completes the book, then they can bring it back to school to change for a new one. As many students are now reading chapter books, this may be a few days or longer before they complete the book. This is ok. They can renew it at the library.
I have sent home the sheets to record the reading your child is doing at home. Remember that you can fill in one line per night when your child reads at home. Your child should be reading a least 15-20 minutes each night. After 20 nights of reading, he/she can return the sheet to school for a prize.
What Level Should My Child be Reading?
In Grades 1, 2, and sometimes 3, students have a very structured home reading program that requires them to read levelled books from our "read-at-home" section in the library. By Grade 4, most students have outgrown these levels and are reading chapter books.
I teach the students strategies for choosing "Just Right" books. They need to select a book and see if it interests them, then they need to read a full page. While reading the page if your child has 5 words they do not know, then the book is too hard.
Students should be reading at their "INDEPENDENT READING LEVEL". Parents should have the kids read out loud at least a couple of times each week. Ask them questions about the book to ensure understanding.
Studies have shown that children who spend large amounts of time reading at their independent reading level will have more success in reading. It takes away the struggles of sounding out a lot of unknown words and allows them to focus on fluency and comprehension.
If your child is a struggling reader, they will still participate in the levelled read-at-home books until they are ready to read beginning chapter books. I have the levels of each student from last year's teacher and we can begin right away. This will allow parents to rest assured that their child is reading an appropriate book.
As well, advanced readers need to choose books at an appropriate level. This can sometimes be more difficult as the content of the books do not always match the developmental age of the child. I can help if this becomes an issue.
If you would like me to choose your child's home reading, please let me know. Other wise I will assume the kids are bringing home appropriate books or reading from books at home.
I teach the students strategies for choosing "Just Right" books. They need to select a book and see if it interests them, then they need to read a full page. While reading the page if your child has 5 words they do not know, then the book is too hard.
Students should be reading at their "INDEPENDENT READING LEVEL". Parents should have the kids read out loud at least a couple of times each week. Ask them questions about the book to ensure understanding.
Studies have shown that children who spend large amounts of time reading at their independent reading level will have more success in reading. It takes away the struggles of sounding out a lot of unknown words and allows them to focus on fluency and comprehension.
If your child is a struggling reader, they will still participate in the levelled read-at-home books until they are ready to read beginning chapter books. I have the levels of each student from last year's teacher and we can begin right away. This will allow parents to rest assured that their child is reading an appropriate book.
As well, advanced readers need to choose books at an appropriate level. This can sometimes be more difficult as the content of the books do not always match the developmental age of the child. I can help if this becomes an issue.
If you would like me to choose your child's home reading, please let me know. Other wise I will assume the kids are bringing home appropriate books or reading from books at home.