Ms. Wozniak’s Reading News

1. Reading Specialist swozniak@twinsburg.oh.us.k12 (330) 486-2046 May 23, 2014 When I get a little money, I buy books. If any is left, I buy food and clothes.” — Erasmus Ms. Wozniak’sReading News The summer is almost upon us despite this crazy weather. It has been an amazing year as your children continue to amaze and yes amuse me. I have shared many books and ideas with them and just as I have taught them, they have taught me and we all have grown in a wonderful way as a result. I hope your summer is sunny, joyful and filled with love, fun and lots of reading. Remember, it isn’t always the level of the book that counts but the enjoyment in reading it, whether alone, being read to, or together… Looking for great ideas for reading activities? Go to the Reading is Fundamental website (www.rif.org ) and look for the current month’s activities. They publish a calendar every month with great ideas for reading and writing. They also have good children’s links as well. Tapestries “Children are born dreamers. Theirs is a world of open vistas through which imaginations soar with wings adults so often neglect. Invite a child and a book to join your journey and enter with ease into their Realm of Possibility!!” Joy Wallace

2. From Mia Coulton, author of the “Danny” books: This is the time of year when we encourage our young learners to use all that they have learned throughout the year in reading and writing. We need to ask ourselves, do they know “what to do” when they’re stuck or when they’ve made an error. We are looking for problem solvers that can initiate an independent plan of action. Spend a little time before the end of the school year observing your young learners to identify how they initiate independent problem-solving.Proficient developing readers will: • use the book title and pictures to help predict what the book might be about• browse through the book to gather additional information• connect to background knowledge they have• check the pictures that accompany the text and point to the meaning• use the patterns within the story (repeating sentences, sayings, or events)• use the meaning of the story so far• monitor their reading (listen to themselves) to see that it makes sense• correct errors that derail meaning as soon as they detect them• know when, why, and how to apply specific strategies to repair meaning such as:- rereading when meaning is lost- initiating a variety of appropriate ways to decode unfamiliar words Think about these qualities in terms of writing, as well. Do your young learners have a plan of action during writing? What do you notice about their level of independence as they engage in writing activities? Since reading and writing are so closely linked you can easily use a strength in one to support the other.