From Birth to Pre-School, When we Learn to Learn!
Kindergarten to 3rd Grade, When we Learn to Read!
By: Trini Macias Ojeda
The school year has finally started and the first homework packet comes home. It’s a page of language arts, math, spelling, and some writing. There is also a reading log attached. It says read 20 minutes a day and turn it in on Friday. Take a closer look at the reading log it’s probably tracking book title, minutes read, pages read, and a summary. These are reading strategies incorporated into homework to increase reading comprehension. So think, is this going to 1. force my child to read (so he‘ll eventually enjoy it), 2. improve my child’s reading ability, or 3. Both? Read on to see how each piece of a reading log can be a reading strategy to actually improve a child’s reading ability and eventually enjoy reading for fun.
Reading logs are designed for accountability of increasing reading comprehension. Some even have a spot for a parent’s signature. Practice makes perfect…….so reading 20 minutes a day is just a starting point. Let’ start with book title choices. A reader must choose a book at their independent reading level. Parents or parent role models can ask the teacher this or choose to do their own quick reading assessment. In either case, the child will read a book at their independent reading level.
The next thing you will look for once the reading level is determined is book interests. What will get the child to want to keep reading a certain book? This is an important reading strategy also when making the right book choices. Look at books that are “high-interest” books. This will not make those first 20 minutes boring and eventually increase the reading minutes without it being a chore. At the same time the number of pages read will get a boost giving the reader more of a summary to write.
Writing the summary is a simple reading comprehension activity. After reading the student reflects on what has been read. In their own words, they get to retell what they’ve read. This is sort of liking going to see a good movie, walking out when it’s over, and retelling someone that hasn’t seen the movie, the highlights or parts you remember most.
For the most part reading logs are a parents help in improving reading ability and getting a reader to eventually enjoy reading. Use the reading log as designed , give it a little extra time in figuring out reading levels and which “high-interest” books to choose. Together parents and educators can both be accountable for reading homework.