 Reading Strategies

 1. To discuss what is expected of us as parents, students and teachers.  2. To learn more about the DRA and SRI assessments.  3. To practice some of the skills that my child is working on in school.

For Students For Parents Students will: Read minutes each night. Complete homework each night. Ask yourself questions while reading. Parents will: Listen to and read to their child read each night. Help with homework each night. Ask your child questions about what they read.

 The DRA is a standardized reading assessment that is given by the classroom teacher. Books are used, picture support is provided, students are allowed to preview the book before reading, and the questions asked are specific to what was read. Comprehension, fluency, and accuracy are assessed using level appropriate books.  The SRI is a standardized reading assessment that is given by the computer. Books are not used instead, students read passages on a blank screen and choose the correct answer from a list of about 4 or 5. Picture support is not used, and students do not get to preview the passage. Passages are unrelated to each other, and are oftentimes lengthy.

1. Before your child reads, do a “picture walk”. Preview the book and talk about what you see in the pictures. 2. While your child reads, they should check to make sure their words match the pictures. 3. If the words do not match the pictures, they should double check their reading. Now try it with your child!

1. When reading to your child, stop periodically and say, “Let’s see if we remember what I just read. Think about who the story was about and what happened.” Do this 3 or 4 times throughout the story. 2. When reading to your child, stop and have them practice checking for understanding by saying, “I heard you say…” 3. Ask your child the following questions: Who did you just read about?  What just happened? Was your brain talking to you while you read? Do you understand what was read? What do you do if you don’t remember? Now try it with your child!

How can you help your child with this strategy at home? 1. Have your child choose a different paragraph from the story they are reading each day. Have them reread that paragraph until they can read it smoothly, with expression, and read all the words correctly. This practice doesn’t take long, only five to eight minutes each day. 2. Remind your child that he/she must be reading from a good-fit book. If the book is too difficult, your child’s energy will be spent on decoding words and not on fluent reading. 3. Model what fluent reading sounds like by reading aloud to your child. Then, have your child reread a paragraph they have heard you read. As always, be sure to continue to offer your child support & encouragement! Now try this with your child!

 Kindergarten (0) level: 36 out of 51 students  First grade ( ): 12 out of 51 students  Second grade ( ): 2 out of 51 students  Not tested: 2 new students

 Exceeding: 10 ( Level 20 or above)  Meeting: 7 (Level 18)  Progressing: 5 (Level 16)  Concern: 26 (Levels 14 or below)