Kindergarten Reading

Kindergarten students will be bringing him books today and tomorrow that they can read to you!  Reading in Kindergarten is not the same as it is in higher grades.  Our focus at this time of year (earlier than in previous years as this group is just plain ready!) is on two things - memorizing a repetitive story, and tracking with their finger.  As they read their book to you this week and in weeks to come please consider the following:

• Tracking by syllables and compound words is common - this means that instead of considering a word like "hedgehog" one word and pointing to it once, they hear it as two words and consider the word following to be part of hedgehog.  They might also do the same thing with "rabbit" hearing it as two syllables.  Please remind them to slow down at these points.
• Sliding their finger to track instead of hopping is common and should be discouraged.  The idea is to point to each word as it is spoken.  This helps them to distinguish between each word.
• Self correcting is advanced at this point!  It is great if they are stopping themselves when things don't seem right.  Please give them a chance to do this on their own.

To challenge your child when they are ready, ask the following:

• Where is the word, mole (for example)?
• Can you find this word (point to word) on the next page too?
• Show me a lower case letter
• Show me an upper case letter
• What sound does this letter make?
• Recall/Sequencing questions like, what animal came after the fox?
• Can you tell me the story without reading the book? 

Let me know if you have any questions.  I will write notes on these little books as things change and update you on events as we progress.

Happy Reading!