November 2014- Special Focus on Learning to Read

Dear Parents,
Welcome to a new month! We have been very busy in the classroom building our growing our competencies in reading.

After Thanksgiving, we began to "Read to Self" in the classroom. In order to begin this process, we went "Book Shopping". Everyone had a chance to fill their book bags with 10 books that they were interested in reading. We have been reading these same books for over two weeks now and we will continue to enjoy them for a little while longer before we go "Book Shopping" again.

We learned two ways to read a book when we read to ourselves:

1. Reading the pictures
2. Reading the words

As a class, we have been working hard to build our stamina for reading to ourselves. We work against the time. So far, the longest we have all been able to read is 13 minutes. We have had good days and bad days. By the end of the year, we should be able to sustain engagement with books for 20 minutes. Ask your child to tell you about "Read to Self" time.

What does "Read to Self" look and sound like? It sounds like quiet, whisper voices and looks like this:

Now that the children are able to sustain engagement with books at school, I encourage you to provide a quiet space for them to read every night at home. In addition to reading library books from Oakridge, you are encouraged to visit the local library every week and allow your child to choose books that interest them to read at home.

Local Libraries:
Albert Campbell
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Nr=p_cat_branch_name:Albert%20Campbell
Children's Programs at Albert Campbell:
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/search.jsp?N=37867+37850+33092

Dawes Road
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Nr=p_cat_branch_name:Dawes%20Road
Children's Programs at Dawes Road:
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/search.jsp?N=37867+37850+33117

The Toronto Public library also has a Bookmobile that visits the Oakridge Community Centre on alternating Thursday evenings.
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMLIB124&R=LIB124

Please consider these free community supports to help your family access quality children's literature and programming.

Reading the pictures is an essential part of learning to read, so even if the words are too difficult for your child to do alone, they can get very important information from the pictures. Please be available to help them answer some of the questions that they will have after reading the pictures. You can read the words to them to help them fill in the gaps that they may have from reading the pictures.

Reading to your child is another integral part of learning to read. Please set time every day after school to read to your child. You may choose to read English books or books in your home language. Either language is beneficial. Spending quiet times reading with your child builds their competencies in immeasurable ways.

Soon, we will be launching the At Home Reading Program. Stay tuned for details on this exciting addition to the program!

Best,
Ms. Gladman