My child is an avid reader and constantly moved up in reading levels in grades K-4; why am I not seeing that same kind of advancement in grade 5?
Students in fifth grade expand and deepen concepts, skills, and strategies learned at earlier grades. They make new connections as they experience more sophisticated ideas and begin to study subjects in more formal ways. They read texts with greater breadth and depth, critically analyzing and evaluating information and ideas. Fifth graders revisit and refine concepts and their knowledge of English Language Arts conventions as they become more sophisticated, independent learners. By 5th grade, the level of sophistication in the chapter books being read by your child has deepened, and it is normal for them to stay at a particular reading level for a longer period of time.
My child only wants to read comic books or graphic novels at home; what can I do about this?
Most of today’s graphic novels are nothing like the comic books of yesteryear. According to Scholastic, the term “graphic novel” is “used to describe any book in a comic format that resembles a novel in length and narrative development.” The genre includes biographical, historical, science fiction, fantasy, action-adventure, comedy, mystery-horror, romance, nonfiction, easy readers and manga, the Japanese form of graphic novel. Even classics like Dracula, Moby Dick and Shakespeare’s plays have been adapted for the graphic novel format. “For early generations of readers, everything was linear. But today’s kids are used to pulling information from a variety of places. On the computer and TV, they read text and look at images,” says Rachel Harlan, acting youth services coordinator for the Arlington County Public Library System. In Graphic Novels 101: Selecting and Using Graphic Novels to Promote Literacy for Children and Young Adults, author and librarian Philip Crawford explains that graphic novels use the same literary devices—foreshadowing, metaphor, symbolism, point of view, alliteration and inference—as traditional works of fiction. Often the vocabulary is more advanced than that used in traditional books of the same reading level. In fact, reading graphic novels can be great preparation for reading more challenging works.
What is balanced literacy?
Balanced literacy is a practice that is used in your child’s classroom that engages students in thinking, talking and writing (and drawing) about literature. Classrooms are structured to create a comfortable environment that encourages both group and independent learning activities. By using the balanced literacy structure, students foster skills and behaviors that will develop them into independent, literate citizens.
What can I do to help my child become a fluent reader?
Read, Read, Read! Read to your child on a regular basis and make reading time part of the family ritual. If reading time is a comfortable and fun time in your household, then your child will make positive associations with reading. Children learn a great deal about story structure from listening to stories, and this will help to improve their writing. Although your child is older, reading together is still a great way to spend quality time! Read a chapter book, and take turns reading to each other.
How can I make reading more enjoyable for my child?
Students might build interest in reading if you draw connections to real life with the literature they are reading. For instance, if you and your child attend a local sporting event, be sure to follow up the next day by reading the newspaper together to recall some of the highlights. Or, perhaps you and your child are able to attend a museum or aquarium.
How can I spark an interest in reading for my child?
You are the best model for your child. Your child may be required to read for a certain amount of time at home. If so, there is no better way to encourage your child than to read simultaneously. Build family reading time of any kind. Then, once you are done reading, ask your child questions about what was read. Asking questions will help to build their comprehension skills.
My child doesn’t like to read as much as she likes to write. Is one more important than the other?
Reading and writing go hand in hand. A child’s ability to write is often reflective of their passion to read. The more a child reads or is read to, the more sophisticated the language, style and ideas will be when your child gathers their own thoughts down on paper.