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Parent tip of the week #7: You can't always just say "sound it out"

9/30/2016

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When your child is reading at home with you, sometimes they get stuck.  Usually we would encourage them to sound out those words that have them stuck.  Almost always, this is the best method.  We ask them the first sound, then the middle sound, then the last sound.  

But occasionally, those words they are stuck on really cannot be sounded out.  Our students don't get stuck on the word "the" , but even "the" cannot be sounded out.  Imagine how many words cannot really be sounded out!  So what can we do to help our children  when they are stuck?  Instead of just giving them the answer, or telling them to sound it out, try these possibilities:
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  1. Ask your child if they know the first sound
  2. Ask your child to read the sentence, leaving that word blank.  What word makes sense?
  3. Ask your child if they see any smaller words in the big word they don't know. For example, the word "other" in "smother".
  4. Skip the word and read the whole page or paragraph, and then come back to it and try again.
  5. Think of another word that would make sense in the sentence.  Then tell your child the new words, and explain that they were right, and its meaning is similar to the word they choose.

The following article has ideas and understanding for parents about the difference between sight words and decoding words.  Understanding how some words are memorized and most are sounded out helps us reach our children's reading needs better.


Sight words and decoding words
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Parent tip of the Week #6: Encouraging listening

9/24/2016

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We all want our children to be better listeners.  Teachers often say they want their students to be better listeners.  But children want to listen and they want to do well.  They aren't ignoring us, they just haven't learned how to listen effectively.  So how can we help children listen for understanding and action, instead of just listening until their parents or teachers are done talking?

1.  One way to help is give them a signal that it is time to listen.  Some children need a gentle hand on their shoulder to know that it is time to listen.  

2.  Allow them plenty of time to talk to you.  Many children (and adults!) are only listening in order to wait their turn to talk.  Let them say everything they need to say, and ask them to tell you when they are done, because you have some important things to tell them.  

3.  Ask them, before they respond to you, to take a deep breath, and repeat what you have said.  Maybe it was the directions you gave. Maybe it was an event coming up.  Children will want to listen better if they know you care about whether or not they listened.  


The following article has some great ideas about getting your kids to listen, both at home and at school!
Getting your kids to listen
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Parent tip of the week #5: Building your child's oral language

9/16/2016

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Recently at Milne Grove School, 13 teachers, the principal, and I participated in a professional learning meeting about assessing and developing students' oral language.  What is oral language, anyway?

Oral language is the language your child uses to speak.  When they ask questions, make demands, express emotions, or play pretend, they are using their oral language.  We want students to improve their oral language because it will help them communicate their needs better.  They will do better in school.  They will be better able to express feelings, wants and desires.  They will enjoy their friends more.  And, they will enjoy their parents more, too!

So how can parents help their child's oral language at home?  The best thing you can do is talk to them a lot.  
  1. Do a running commentary with your child while you do everyday tasks, like grocery shopping, getting library books, cooking, and watching TV together. 
  2. Ask questions
  3. Describe things
  4. When you describe, use color, shape, size, distance, action, and time words: "Over there I see a tiny green and brown turtle.  Its 10 feet away and hiding under a leaf.  It must have been here since lunchtime". What do you see?
  5. Sit close to them at the table during meals, rather than standing at the counter
  6. Go for walks with them and talk about everything you see
  7. "People watch" with them.  Describe the people and what they are doing
  8. Use words in your own language that you want your children to learn
  9. Don't use simple speech to talk to your child.  Use adult speech.
  10. Tell your child you want to videotape them telling you a story, or about their day, or about their favorite toy.

Even if you have older students, it is not too late to support your child's oral language development.  Use this list to start fresh talking to your child more.  

For more information about supporting your child's language, the link below has a few great ideas for parents.
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Supporting your child's language development
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Parent Tip of the week #4: Logging into Think Central with your child

9/9/2016

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Originally posted on Montana City schools
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Parent tip of the week #3: Encouraging academic language

9/1/2016

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Students who use academic language do better in school.  Students who use academic language get better grade.  They are taken more seriously.  They are more likely to be successful adults. Most children are good at using social language, the language they use to speak to their friends.  But they need academic language as they grow to interact better at more formal places, such as the store, church, library, or other community areas.

So what is academic language? Academic language is the words, phrases, and sentence patterns your child needs to use to be more successful in school, college, and at a job.  It includes subject specific words, such as those from science, history, and literature.  It also includes formal language, typically having more syllables, having many meanings, and the language which illustrates your child is bright.

So how can you help your child use more academic language? 
  • speak to your child using more academic language.  One trick it to use as few pronouns (he,she, this, that, they) as possible.
  • Read aloud to them from age appropriate books, including nonfiction, as often as possible.
  • take them to museums, galleries, and business environments.
  • Join after-school academic programs offered in your community.
  • Job shadowing (for older students) if your boss allows or another family members boss allows.  See if they can interview some of your co-workers.
  • Listening to and participating in informal debates addressing current or historical events.
  • Watching educational television programs and films about a variety of subjects to build background knowledge before teaching more precise academic vocabulary; for example, watching a show about Russia and its people (because they cannot go there!)
  • Playing word games: crossword puzzles, word searches, vocabulary board games, online word/ vocabulary games, or apps. Although the app or online content might be independent, do it with your child anyway.  It will be more fun for both of you!
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    Author

    Erin Rae is the Curriculum Coordinator at Lockport 91. 

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