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Show Parents need to help their children in reading By Supt. L. Wayne Reid The Uintah School District has undertaken un-dertaken monumental steps to make certain our students know how to read well. From the statistics we have from our nationalized CTBS and CAT testing, we are doing a very good job in our schools. We are certainly well above the national average. But we can get better! We can do this by the help of parents in this regards. It may take turning off the television for one or two hours and giving up your favorite program for an evening or two. Our district has made great efforts to use attractive and interesting books in supplementing reading instruction from our teachers, but a parent's encouragement en-couragement at home also plays a very important part in developing positive feelings about reading. So we are soliciting your assistance. Let's begin by letting your child know that reading is very important by enjoying en-joying reading yourself and serving as a model that your child will follow. Even if it's just reading the morning paper with your child, or the funny papers, or a letter from grandma, etc. You can also let your child know you think reading is important by praising all of his reading and encouraging the use of reading to answer some of his or her questions. Parents need to go to the library with their children. The librarians will be happy to help you select appropriate reading information. As you check a book out for your child, also select a good book for yourself. A very important part of our efforts to help our children is to take the time to listen to them read. Listen not to correct every word or to turn it into a reading lesson, but to enjoy the experience. ex-perience. By listening to your child tell stories, ask questions, and read to you, you are helping to develop his oral language and reading abilities. Be willing to share yourself with your child. Certainly, we have a lot of adult things to do, homework to accomplish, organizations and clubs to attend, etc. But what is more important than some valuable time with your child that will benefit his life forevermore? Don't let your own personal involvement crowd "out reading for you and your child. Arrange a time for the two of you to read together-, You may read your materials separately, or listen to him read aloud. To help you get started, the Follett Publishing Company has developed some beginning-to-read books that will appeal to the interests of primary children. Careful attention is given to vocabulary load and sentence length, but the first criterion is interest to children. Because of their high interest and readability, these books are ideal for independent reading for children in grades kindergarten through third. They should be available in local bookstores throughout the area. The following are examples of what is available: The Funny Baby, by Margaret Hillert, $1.50 (2nd grade)'; Gertie the Duck by Nicholas Georgiady, $1.50 (Kindergarten); Gingerbread Children by Ilo Orleans, $1.50 (Kindergarten); Golden Goose by Margaret Hillert, $1.50 (second grade) ; Happy Birthday, Dear Dragon by Margaret Hillert, $1.50 (third grade); The Little Red Hen by Jean Horton Berg, $1.50 (third grade). Become a model reading parent. You child needs your help and enthusiasm! |