• Tips and Resources for:

    Finding Great Books and Engaging Your Child in Reading

     

    Tips:

    We have all heard how important it is for our kids to read, read and then read some more.  What’s all the fuss?  Check out which includes research regarding the importance of kids spending time in text.

     

    You are most likely eager to get your kids reading more, but how?  Here are the4 keys to increasing your child’s engaged reading.

     

     

    • Support your child in choosing books they enjoy.
    • Engagement, excitement and energy for a text always trumps reading level.
    • Visit your local library and/or bookstore on a regular basis.
    • Review book blogs and kid lit. websites (see below).
    • Support your child in choosing books they can read easily.
    • Ask your child’s teacher about their approximate reading level.
    • Use the tools below to help understand the kind of books that are close to your child’s reading level.
    • Work with your school or city librarian to find books at your child’s reading level.
    • Listen to your child read.  Does it sound fun/easy or laborious.
    • Model reading yourself.
    • Read your own books in front of your child, not just when they are asleep!
    • Continue reading aloud to your child as long as they will let you.
    • Consider forming a mini book club with your child, read the same book and discuss.
    • Think  about time and place.
    • Reading should be presented as a treat, not a chore.  Never make reading a punishment.  How might you make it a reward?  Reading past bedtime?
    • Think about when the best time of day for reading is for your child.  After school may not be the best fit for an active child.
    • Keep books accessible -  store books in the car, always pack books on vacation, keep a basket on the dining table for breakfast, etc.
    • Consider creating a special place for reading - a cozy book nook, hammock, special bean bag, etc.
    • It’s all about the experience and feeling you are creating and associating with books.  Think snacks, warm fire, soft blanket, music?

     

    Resources:

    Where to Find Books with Your Child

    • Talk to our very own Abernethy Librarian
    • Visit a local library and reach out to a librarian for help.

    Websites with Book Inspiration:

    •  - a collections of book trailers for children’s literature.

    Tools for Finding the Right Level Books:

    • Good old fashioned google searches!  Example: (what reading level is Harry Potter Goblet of Fire?)
    • - subscription based

     

    Blogs about Books

    • - Ruth Shagoury
    • - Franki Sibberson

     

    Want to nerd out on this topic? Professional Books/Media:

    • The Book Whisperer, by Donalyn Miller
    • Reading in the Wild, by Donalyn Miller
    • The Read Aloud Handbook, by Jim Trelease
    • Book Love, by penny Kittle
    • The Right Book at the Right Time, by Franki Sibberson
    • Beyond Leveled Books, by Franki Sibberson
    • Reading Ladders, Teri S. Lesesne

    Literacy Websites:

    • abcya.com
    • www.readworks.org
    • www.storylineonline.net
    • www.e-learningforkids.org/language-arts/
    • www.newsela.com
    • www.clpgh.org/kids/storymaker/

    Literacy Apps:

    • Chicktionary
    • Story Creator
    • Toontastic
    • iF Poems
    • Scribblenauts Remix