Thinkifinity

Verizon has launched a new website, Thinkfinity.org, that provides lesson plans for teachers, but most importantly, activities and a homework section for parents.  There is this link called Wonderopolis that encourages parents to do a simple activity with their kids a day.  It may not be focused in Reading, but I’d rather see parents doing SOMETHING with their kids instead of being caught up in their busy lives and not spend time with them.  There is a reading section, so be sure to check that out!

Questions for Parents

I must admit, I took this resource off of a fellow teacher-blogger.   Here is a list for parents in terms of questioning students during reading.  Questioning while reading helps kids think about the story and parents can see if their kid is comprehending the story as well.  It also involves both sides, the teller and listener, in the story. 

Intergrating Techonolgy for our 21st Century Learners

Looking for a fun way to use technology in the class and combine it with reading?  This website delivers!  It offers making comic strips, wikis, blogs, etc.  As teachers and parents, we know that reading and writing are intertwined, and as much as we promote reading at home, we should also be promoting writing.    (http://newtoolsworkshop.wikispaces.com/)

Reading Passages for Standardized Testing

Need help finding passages to help the  3rd-5th grade readers for that upcoming standardized test?  Mr. Nussbaum's website provides several passages along with questions to help kids practice.  Let’s face it, if you aren’t having your students focus on passages, long paragraphs, and learning to dissect them and find meaning, then you aren’t preparing them to take the test.  Using the skills you have taught in reading all year long, apply it to the passages. 

Phonics and Fluency

A fun website that I know many teachers use in the classroom to reinforce phonics and early reading is starfall.com.  I have used it with my two year old son and we use the Alphabet section.  I also like how the words are highlighted if you need extra help on sounding out the word for the young readers.  Using Starfall, fluency is increased along with vocabulary and comprehension.  This is an excellent resource for K-2 students.

Guided Reading Strategies

A teacher needs an arsenal of strategies when it comes to teaching Reading.  Something as simple as learning to think when reading needs to be modeled and taught.  Students need to assess a book before, during, and after reading takes place.  The following websites are direct links to help teachers find resources.

Adolescent Literacy --This website is geared for older readers.  The site says grades 4-12.  I teach fourth, so it was nice to see some resources geared for the upper Elementary level.

Reading Rockets--This page is similar to Adlit.org, but actually has more resources listed.

Struggling Readers--From the Reading Rockets website, it has links for assessment of struggling readers and resources to help them.  You will need to browse through the extra links for additional information.

I really love Reading Rockets.  It is a wonderful website for teachers.  There is a Topic Index that can help direct you to a problem you or your students may be facing in Reading.  I highly recommend some time exploring this fabulous resource!

PBS

Another one-stop shop is PBS.  This website is not as plentiful as the Scholastic website is, but it does provide lesson plans and professional development for teachers along with games for students.  I think this website is worth mentioning for resource seekers.

Scholastic

Scholastic Book's website provides many resources for parents, kids, and teachers.  For teachers, lesson plans and strategies are given for reading and language arts.  Lesson plans for interactive white board are also available.  The teacher section is more plentiful than the parents and kids, but those sections are notable as well.   Parents can explore homework resources for their children along with at home activities.  The kids section is full of recommended books and games to play.  This website's sole purpose is to focus on improving and promoting reading in home and in the classroom.

Finding leveled books

Finding the correct leveled books for a child is crucial.  Reading only on a too challenging level can lead to frustration where reading too low doesn't do anything for increasing readings skills or vocabulary.  Students should be allowed to read lower or higher than their level, but it is important that the correct level is found so reading growth can take place.  Scholastic's website has a book wizard that can help teachers (and parents) find a variety of books on the correct level.

Prevention is the key

Parents of struggling readers are often at a loss on how to help their child.  The problem is that they don't understand some of these problems could of be prevented.  There are several things parents can do to help their child to read from the time they bring the baby home from the hospital.  The first is to just talk to your child.  Oral language development is key to helping your child develop the basic understanding of our language and increases their vocabulary.  Speaking is the building blocks of reading.  "One of the most basic skills that children need in order to succeed in school is the ability to use language. By the time children start school, those who are unable to use language well enough to make themselves easily understood are less likely than other children to meet the learning requirements of their age group" (taken from a study)

Did you know 80% of children of low income families have a delayed vocabulary development?  Reading books, even to infants, expose children to a world filled of new vocabulary.  Simple things you learn from reading a book, like knowing print is read from left to right and how to turn pages, are important in literacy development.  Reading opens the door to new worlds children that may not be exposed too.  I can read about monkeys in the trees in Africa and my child will make a connection that our backyard has trees therefore monkeys live in them!  Reading to your child also fosters a relationship between you and your child.  Studies have shown reading to your children help their school performance!

There are resources for parents to use to help their young readers.  The Department of Education have put together reading tips along with activities to help parents.  Follow the link and click on Reading Tips for Parents and Helping Your Child Become a Reader.  These are great articles that can help you become a better parent to your child!

Teacher Resources!!!

I hit the jackpot on this resource.  This website has Informational Text Reading Inventory.  It is through Indiana University's website (Go Hoosiers!).  I has a complete printable resources for diagnostic assessment, Language Arts Introductions, student lessons, teacher manual, and follow-up assessments.  These documents allow informative texts (social studies and science) to integrate Reading skills like compare and contrast through the readings.  All grades are available!  I know this blog is for young readers, but I couldn't ignore this awesome resource! 

Model Teaching

It's often difficult to figure out for a new teacher how something should be taught.  With little experience to guide you, often times we teach through trial by error.  This didn't work this time, so I won't use it next time!  Students suffer greatly when teachers go this route.  I have found a website that models teaching reading strategies.  It is through the Virginia Department of Education Each video is fairly short, but I learn best by watching so I know someone else out there will find it useful too!