Now that we are all familiar with how our library system works and with what level we might expect our student to be working on, let's talk about some ways to integrate reading into the time you spend with your student.
Cultivating a love for reading in a child is SO important!!!
Disclaimer! This statement is meant to be an encouragement to you all, and is in NO WAY indicating that you are solely responsible for their feelings towards reading! However, it should prompt in us a desire to guide the children we work with to appreciate reading.
Why is it important that children should grow up loving to read??
When a child loves reading, he will read more.
The more he reads, the better he will become at reading.
The better he becomes at reading, the greater his love for it will be.
As he grows in his ability and love for reading, the more time he will spend doing it.
Reading will be as a key to unlocking wonderful thoughts, interesting ideas, intriguing stories, knowledge about the world around him.
As he spends the time exposing himself to the great many thoughts, ideas, and knowledge that people present to us in the books they write, his own mind will grow and flourish with...
INQUISITIVENESS
CREATIVITY
THOUGHT
REASONING
CRITICAL THINKING
KNOWLEDGE
UNDERSTANDING
WISDOM
I believe it is imperative, specifically with the population that we work with, that we consciously seek to equip our students with this powerful tool! They may not be receiving it anywhere else.
What does this look like for you??
It's really not very complicated!
Select two differently leveled books:
One for them to read aloud. This should be on their level, with the intention of working on fluency.
One for you to read to them. This should be above their level, with the intention of engaging their mind and interest. You would be surprised at what a young age a child will listen and follow along even with a chapter book, so long as it's an interesting story! Grab a blank piece of paper and some crayons for them to doodle with while you read, or bring them a snack like popcorn or grapes, that they can munch on while listening.
Take time to discuss what you are reading.
Ask questions to test their ability to follow the plot. Explain words that you think they might not understand. Make comments sharing your own thoughts and ideas. Ask them to create a picture expressing their favorite scene.
Narration is a worthy skill.
Try to get your student to tell you in her own words a summary of what you read. Some students will be more resistant to this than others. But if you can get them to do it, it will be a tremendous help in developing their ability to organize thoughts and relate ideas.
Try these out and see how it goes! Remember to be patient and gracious. It may be a battle for some students who have not grown up reading... but excitement and compassion on your end, and a lot of prayer! can help the process!!