28/7/15
Hi Everyone!
Two notes are going home in your child's bag this week regarding the new programs happening in PPH. First is our home reading program and our morning Journal writing/drawing. Please take the time to read them as it might help with any questions or concerns you have. Otherwise don't hesitate to arrange to come and see me before or after School.
In case the hard copy goes missing. Below is the information regarding the Home reading program.
Dear Parents,
Today your child will receive their first home reader. This
is very exciting. Some children are
already reading and some will be challenged by home readers.
It is important that all reading experiences are positive
for all children. Praise and
encouragement are vital to success.
A parent information night will be held in week three to
further explain the Home Reading process but for a start please follow these
steps.
1.
Look at the cover of the book. Discuss the title, the pictures and predict
the content.
2.
Look at the illustrations inside the book and
discuss them in order to establish some comprehension of the content.
3.
Read the text to your child.
4.
Allow the child to read to you. Supply unknown words after they have had a go
at sounding out. When your child is trying to sound out an unfamiliar word ask
them to identify the first sound in the
word and then the remaining sounds. Most
children will be able to sound out three letter words with a vowel sound in the
middle. (C.V.C. Words)
5.
Some Sight Words cannot be sounded out and in
this case tell your child what it says.
(e.g. the, two, was ) They will
be covered in class as they progress through Sight Word lists.
6.
At the conclusion of the book discuss the story.
Reading Exchange.
1.
To begin with the teachers will exchange the
children’s books. Your child will
receive a book approximately every second day. Revisit the book on the second
night that you have it.
2.
Your child will not receive a book if they have
not returned the previous book.
3.
Books must always be kept in their waterproof
folder. NO FOLDER. NO BOOK.
4.
Please do not ask for your child to take home
more than one book. This is not
permissible as there have been too many books lost in the past. On some occasions, teachers may choose to
supply extra support reading activities to meet individual children’s needs.
Parents:
1.
Parents can bring the folder into the classroom
and place it in the wet area on the trolly. Then a new book can be
exchanged.
2.
Please fill out the information in the Green
Home reading record booklet in the folder. This will provide details for the
teacher.
Sight Words.
1.
Sight Words are of great importance to Early
Reading and to future success. The
mastery of these words will increase fluency and comprehension.
2.
Sight Words are words which are to be read
without sounding out. This takes time
and patience to master. Your child may
try to sound out the words at first, especially the ones that can be sounded
out (on, at, in) however, it is our aim that they will look and say the words
quickly and confidently. Don’t stress if
this takes time. It will happen.
3.
This term your child will receive sets of 5
words at a time to practise at home.
Please keep these words in a clip lock sandwich bag and care for
them. Sadly we cannot replace these as
the cost of the cardboard is high. Don’t discard old sets as revision will be
required.
4.
Use games like Snap, Concentration and
Bingo. You can easily make up games like
this with the lists supplied. Display words on the wall. Say them all before going to bed or school.
5.
You may wish to download iPad apps that support
this learning. Reading Eggs and similar
programmes are highly effective but please try to focus the children’s learning
on the five words they receive.
6.
The children will receive the next level of
words when they have shown mastery of the previous list.
Good luck with your Home Reading. Enjoy it.
Home reading is a very special time between parents and their children.
Grandparents love it too.
Thank you and stay tuned to find out about our Parent
Information Evening.
Remember we have a unique classroom of Five and Six year old's. This time is for exploration and experimental learning. They will make mistakes. They cannot know everything. Practise makes perfect. They still need to enjoy being a child.
Miss Katie Horrocks.
