Literacy

 

Following on from last week, here are some more strategies children can use to help them understand what they read. These Reading Response Sentence Starters are a great way of checking your child’s understanding of a text.

Monitoring and Clarifying

Readers check on accuracy and understanding and use strategies to help make sense of any confusion.

  • I needed to reread the part where….. because…
  • I used….(what strategy) to help me understand….
  • I had to slow down when….

Making Connections

Readers connect the text to personal and world knowledge as well as to other texts.

  • I experienced this when…..
  • This is similar to….
  • This is different to….

Analysing

Readers notice and analyse the way an author uses language and organisation to deliver his/her ideas. 

  • I like the way the author uses…... to show……
  • I did not like…… because……
  • The word/phrase…..stands out because…..

Evaluating

Readers stop to think about their reading and make judgements about the plot, characters, information, etc. 

  • …...is important because….
  • This is good/bad because….
  • I think……is realistic/unrealistic because….

What can I do to entertain and educate my child in literacy on the school holidays? 

Here are some ideas to do just that!

Speaking and Listening

Reading

Writing

Outdoor Explorations: Backyards and neighbourhood walks can lead to interesting conversations that contain new vocabulary words.

Games: Play some games such as Guess Who?, Charades and I Spy, to help your child develop his/her oral language skills.

Plays:

 Encourage your child to act out a scene from their favourite movie or book.

Reading: Make reading a part of your daily routine. This can be done at any time during the day, inside or outside. Let your child choose which book they would like to read.

Reading Corner:

 Encourage your children to find a place at home that they can make into a holiday reading corner. Let them use cushions and blankets to make it comfortable. Decorate it with their drawings and other pictures.

Diary Writing: Day trips and special outings create special memories and great learning opportunities for families. Whether you're going to the zoo, the local library, or a park, encourage your children to keep a diary describing their experiences.

Movie Review:

 After watching a movie, encourage your child to write a review, explaining why they think it is or is not worth watching.

Simone Crist

Literacy Leader