Ms. Chris Pesta
Fridays
(610) 933-7562
ChrisP@ cciu.org
I am pleased to be supporting students at Holy Family School as they learn to read for pleasure and for knowledge. Instruction occurs on Fridays. Students are scheduled individually or in small groups for 30 minute time slots.
Help your child learn the short vowel sounds by visiting http://readskill.com/Resources/PostersSongs/ where you can click on each of the short vowel posters and hear a song that tells a story about that vowel sound and reproduces its sound. Students easily learn the 5 short vowel sounds when they are taught in isolation with auditory associations. Reading Manipulatives, Inc.is making the Short Vowel Posters and the Short Vowel Songbook available for free to anyone who visits their website.
Tips for School Success
The U. S. Department of Education offers these tips to parents to help their children achieve success in school:
--Ask the teacher for ideas on how you can help your child learn more at home, and show your support for special interests by attending science fairs, plays, musical events, class trips, or sporting events.
--Read with your child (even if he or she is older) and show an interest in what is done in school each day.
--Tell your child that you believe he or she can do well in school.
--Offer praise and encouragement for achievement and improvement.
--Establish a daily family routine of mealtimes, time for homework and chores, bedtime, and time for family work.
--Monitor your child's activities after school, in the evenings, and on weekends. Many working parents can arrange for children to check in after school and discuss their plans by phone.
--Talk with your child about positive values and personal traits, such as respect for self and others, hard work, and responsibility. Show your values by your actions.
--If you need help with a school-related problem, contact your child's teacher, the school principal, or the guidance counselor.
READING TEXTBOOKS
Think of reading as a "work-out" and do a "reading warm-up" before reading your textbook chapters. The purpose of the warm-up is to set your mind in motion. You may not guess right about what you'll read, but you will be reading with questions in mind. Do a "warm-up" each time you read.
1. Look at the title of the section. Ask yourself, "What will this be about? Is the title humorous or serious? What does the title lead me to expect?"
2. Read the introduction. Ask again, "What will this section be about? Does the introduction give me a hint about how the material will be organized?"
3. Read all headings and subtitles in the section. Turn the headings into questions. Jot down questions about headings in your notes. As you read each part, read to find out the answers to your questions.
NIGHTLY READING
I encourage a daily period of reading, approximately 10 -15 minutes of recreational reading each evening. Here are some strategies to try during the daily reading:
1. Talk about the meaning of new words and ideas introduced in books. Help your child think of examples of new concepts.
2. Ask your child why a character might have taken a specific action. Ask for information from the story to support the answer.
3. Encourage your child to make predictions about what will happen next and connect characters or events to those in other books.
4. Talk with your child often. There's no better way to teach new words and ideas.
5. Surround your child with things to read. Have books, magazines, and writing materials in your home. Let children see that reading is an important part of everyday life.