Reading Lab
Click below to download the pages.
Dear Parents,
I want to welcome you and your child to the Reading Lab. The Lafayette School Reading Lab functions as support for reading instruction provided in the regular classroom. Children work in the lab individually and in small groups for thirty minutes a day, up to 3 - 4 days per week. Direct instruction focuses on word analysis/decoding, fluency, vocabulary development, phonological awareness and comprehension.
Please continue reading to your child each night. You are helping to instill a love of literature as well as expanding vocabulary. Your child also needs to practice reading on their own each night in a “just right” book. Readers need to be immersed in print! Parents need to be good role models as reading habits are developing. Let your child see you read!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to helping your child become a lifelong reader.
Sincerely,
Melissa Barclay
- Log onto scholastic.com
- Click on "Book Wizard" on the left side of website.
- Click on the Guided Reading button (A-Z).
- Type the title, author or keyword of a book you are interested in locating.
- You have the option of searching for books similar to the one you located.
- You can also search for books by genre.
In the Language Arts category you will find activities for reading, spelling, phonics, sight words, fluency and writing.
A comprehensive site with activities and lessons on all language arts areas.
General Information on various language arts topics and what teachers, students and parents can do to help.
The Mathematics and Science sections include math fact practice, brainteasers, games and websites to engage young scientists. U.S. Department of Education's Helping Your Child Learn Math (pdf)
Math Fact Practice - at abcya.com
National Geographic Kids Website
Kids.gov - a resource to many links on topics from the arts to history to science and beyond.
Cool Science - a resource to many links from the Eastern Regional Libraries in Australia
Please use the internet wisely and supervise your children when they are online.
Teacher's College Reading & Writing Project
Vimeo - videos and descriptions about the project goals
Resources for English Language Learners
Colorin Colorado is a trusted resource for current information, activities and links for families of students learning English. The website is also available in Spanish (just click on en espanol at the the top).
Resources for Families - reading with your children, technology resources, school success, libraries and more
Reading Tip Sheets for Familes - available in 11 languages
Tips for Parent Teacher Conferences
Common Core Information about the Common Core state standards.
California Department of Education
English Language Development Standards (electronic edition 2012)
California English Language Development Test (CELDT) Parent Information (pdf)
Internet resources you won't want to miss.
Learning Beyond the Classroom Activities Read Write Think
Learning beyond the classroom with links for K-2. 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 students. Resources for parents, also. Sponsored by the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English.
Booklists by the Contra Costa Public Library
Lists for children from birth through 6th grade are on this webpage. A must for all young readers and their parents.
Build Fluency with Paired Reading An intervention strategy to help build fluency for you and your child to do together.
Gamequarium
A comprehensive portal filled with activities for reading, word study, math, science, social studies, sign language, preschool, and favorite characters like Clifford and books including Magic School Bus.
Please use the internet wisely and supervise your children when they are online.
About NEA’s Read Across America*
The National Education Association is building a nation of readers through its signature program, NEA’s Read Across America. Now in its 18th year, this year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources.* Read Across America is celebrated on or near Dr. Seuss's birthday, March 2nd, of each year.
"You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child."
Reading Resources for Students*
- Promoting Reading for All Children
- Raising a Reader
- Tips for Reading Aloud
- Reading to Young School-Age Children
- Tips for Reading to Infants and Toddlers
- Get Ready for Summer Reading
* Provided by NEA Website
Tips for parents...
What Good Readers Do (from Ontario, Canada workshop.on.oc),
The National Institute for Literacy
A Child Becomes a Reader (pdf).
On this site you will find a selection of web based resources for both you and your child. The resources are organized by grade and topic.
Common Core Resources:
California Department of Education Common Core Resources and Standards - please see the web locker to the left for the Parent Guide to the Common Core.
- English Language Arts, History and Social Science, Science and Technical Studies Standards (pdf)
- Mathematics (pdf)
Reading Rockets Common Core information for parents
Smarter Balanced Assessment System uses computer-adapted online tests and performance tasks to show what students can do. The test is based on the Common Core State Standards in Language Arts and Math.
Reading Toolkit Strategies
- Look at the picture
- Look at the first letter
- Use your reading finger
- Bossy r-ar, or, er,ir,ur
- H Brothers-ch, th, sh, wh
- H Cousins-ph, gh
- Silent jumping e
- Chunks-ed, ing
- Take a running start
- Try another sound-long vowel, short vowel
- Look for the little word in the big word
- 5 Star Vowels-a,e,i,o,u
- Compound words-ie. butterfly, goldfish, skateboard
- Say it slowly
- Red Words-Words that cannot be sounded out ie. the, have, does, of
- Sound it out
- Skip it and go back.
- Blenders-flag, best
- Look at ALL parts of the word
- Crash the parts together
- Ask someone
- BIG BOLD
- Punctuation-! ? . ,
- Read it like a storyteller, not a robot
Prompts to Use
Does that make sense?
Does it look right?
Does it sound right?