The "Book-in-a-Bag" program will begin in October; a book and letter explaining how the program works will be in a zip lock bag.
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• It is helpful to leave this letter in the bag, so you can refer to it as needed. You should not read the book to them, but help them read it by themself. Then, they should practice reading the book many times until they feel comfortable reading it and can tell what the story is about. Beginning readers often memorize the book. The more times they see a word, the quicker they will store it in their memory. They should track the words by running their finger under each word as they read them.
• If your child is already reading, they will be bringing home a book at their independent reading level. They should be able to read most of the book without any help. They may use strategies we are learning in class to help them decode any unknown words. They should also read the book repeatedly to help them read fluently with expression. Also, please, make sure they are attending to the punctuation. When they are finished reading the book, they should retell the story to you from the beginning to the end using many details. Don't be concerned if the book is easy for your child. Reading it will help them build confidence and fluency. We do not want them to be a labored reader by reading books that are too difficult for them. At school, we will work with books at their instructional level. This is a higher level, where the children may apply strategies we are learning in class and work on more complex comprehension questions and responding to the story in writing.
• Since books are leveled by different companies, you may find that a book chosen by your child is entirely too difficult. If this happens, just send it back the next day and they may select another book.
• When you feel your child can read their book smoothly and fluently, please send it back in the bag. They will read it to either the paraeducators, volunteers, or child's teacher and then they will choose another book to bring home. This is a part of their required homework.
• It is helpful to leave this letter in the bag, so you can refer to it as needed. You should not read the book to them, but help them read it by themself. Then, they should practice reading the book many times until they feel comfortable reading it and can tell what the story is about. Beginning readers often memorize the book. The more times they see a word, the quicker they will store it in their memory. They should track the words by running their finger under each word as they read them.
• If your child is already reading, they will be bringing home a book at their independent reading level. They should be able to read most of the book without any help. They may use strategies we are learning in class to help them decode any unknown words. They should also read the book repeatedly to help them read fluently with expression. Also, please, make sure they are attending to the punctuation. When they are finished reading the book, they should retell the story to you from the beginning to the end using many details. Don't be concerned if the book is easy for your child. Reading it will help them build confidence and fluency. We do not want them to be a labored reader by reading books that are too difficult for them. At school, we will work with books at their instructional level. This is a higher level, where the children may apply strategies we are learning in class and work on more complex comprehension questions and responding to the story in writing.
• Since books are leveled by different companies, you may find that a book chosen by your child is entirely too difficult. If this happens, just send it back the next day and they may select another book.
• When you feel your child can read their book smoothly and fluently, please send it back in the bag. They will read it to either the paraeducators, volunteers, or child's teacher and then they will choose another book to bring home. This is a part of their required homework.