"I can't read"

As a teacher, I always had children tell me "I can't read". Now at 5 many children understand that the reading of words is the actual act of reading, but they don't have to believe they can't read. I always told children that if they can tell the story by the picture that they can read "like a kindergartner".

The other day I asked Colby if he wanted to help me read his book and he told me that he can't read. I went on to show him that he can read. Colby has a lot of books memorized, now yes this is not "reading" but it is a true understanding of book knowledge. If your child can recite books and know what words go on what pages they are on the path to learning to read. They will soon begin to realize that what they are saying matches the text on the page. When I read these books to him (the easier less words ones) I will text match while I'm reading. This is the simple task of pointing to the words while I'm reading.

The next step is to read the first part of the sentence and have your child finish your thought. Most kids will naturally do this on books they have memorized if you stop reading. When your child is reading continue to point to the words as he/she says them. This will help them learn to follow text while reading as well as see that the words they are saying is connected to the text on the page.

Another great way to show children that they can already read it to point out "environmental print" that your child knows how to read. Environmental print is words that your child sees within his/her environment. Can your child read the name of his/her favorite cereal or snack? Does he/she recognize the names of stores you visit often? Can he/she read a stop sign? These are all beginning stages of reading. When I had struggling readers I often made them books of these types of labels so they had at least one story that they could read on their own. When you are done with a box, cut the name off and glue it on sheet of construction paper, you can group words into categories and put the name of the category on the top of the sheet this will introduce yet one more word to their visual vocabulary.

The next time your child tells you that he/she can not read, don't agree with them... prove them wrong!

Read to Me

As a kindergarten teacher, and now as a parent of an early reader, I was/am often asked what is the best and/or most effective way to teach a child to read. My answer was and is always the same read! I wrote a weekly newsletter to my parents telling them what we did that week and what we would be doing in the week(s) ahead. I always gave a list of suggested read alouds and signed every newsletter: "Remember to read, read and read some more.

My boys love to read and be read to. If you check out my project 365 on the weekends, you often see the boys reading alone or together. Children who are read to on a regular basis develop the book skills necessary to learn to read independently. They also need to have book handling skills first. As adults we often assume that children know the front and back of a book, to follow the story from left to right, where to start and top reading the text, how to turn the pages and many other book skills. But, every year I had a child in my class who just didn't have enough book exposure to know all these skills.

Children need to be allowed to explore books at a young age. I began reading to my boys shortly after the came home from the hospital. They each had a basket of board books in reach before they could even crawl. They each have a bookshelf full of books as well as my bookshelf which is packed with kiddie lit.

You will often see Colby making up his own version of a book. When he does that you will hear him quoting text from the book and usually on the correct page. Why can he do this? We've read the book over and over. This is important too. This is how children begin reading. They memorize text and then begin to realize that those printed words on the page match what they are saying. They learn to follow the pictures for the story, and then later learn to follow the printed word, and eventually learn to read the printed word.

Each child learns to read differently. Some will need to focus on hardcore phonics (the ability to sound out each letter to make a word), some will develop strong site word vocabularies (seeing words that they know by sight and never have to sound out). It is when children can put both of these skills together in one package they they truly learn to read.

So what can you do to help your child learn to read?

Read To Me
by Jane Yolen

Read to me riddles and read to me rhymes,
Read to me stories of magical times.
Read to me tales about castles and kings.
Read to me stories of fabulous things.
Read to me pirates and read to me knights,
Read to me dragons and dragon-book fights.
Read to me spaceships and cowboys and then,
When you are finished — please read them again.

Find a good book and read it with your child today, read it tomorrow and read it again and again. They will thank you for it!

I'm just reading

When my boys were younger I was one of those mom's who said... "it's too quiet what are you up to?" And, nine times out of ten it was no good. Now that they are getting older, well we still have those moments, but typically when they are up to no good it's rather LOUD.

The scene I've been seeing around her a lot lately when it's quiet is reading. Blake has really blossomed into an avid reader. As I type this post I can see him reading on his bed in his room. He loves to read books. He has a basket of level 1 easy readers in his room that we read with him at night. Or should I say that he reads to us at night. Lately he has been exploring the books that we have not read together. The thing that blows my mind, as a teacher as much as a mother, is that he is reading silently to himself. No he is not just looking at the pictures, he is reading the stories. How do I know this? If you sit down with him and he had never read the book out loud his fluency should be off since there are new words and new text. But, when he has read the book ahead of time to himself the text is very fluent. The other reason I know is you can watch his eyes and he is scanning the text on the page.

In all my years of teaching I never encountered a child who could learn to read independently so fast and then on top of that master silent reading. You have to remember he is only 4 years 4 months and has only been reading since just before he turned 4, maybe 3 years 10 months? Now don't get me wrong I had early readers in my kindergarten classes, the top one I had was reading on a 5th grade level when she left kindergarten. So yes children can learn to silent read at a young age. My amazement is in how fast he went from not reading to silent reading on his own.

I love to see that love of reading being developed in my sons. Colby loves to sit and look at books and loves to be read to also. Both of my sons read to themselves, with each other and with Richard and I every day. I can not think of a better gift to give a child than the love of reading.

I hope you take time to read to your little ones today. No matter how old they are, reading aloud is fundamental is fluency development, vocabulary development, reading comprehension and just about every reading skill you can imagine. Pick a story 2 years above their independent reading level and read it to them, you may be shocked to see how much they enjoy the simple task of being read to.

Reading

This is a sight you see quite often in my house. The last few weeks Blake has become more and more fascinated with books. When he was really little he always had a book in hand or close by. He and I would sit for 30+ minutes reading book after book. Now we do it for near an hour. He also reads to himself a lot. Often, when I notice that he is really quiet I will find him sitting somewhere with a stack of books reading to himself. He can read on a first grade reading level already. Once challenge we have with him is he has become accustomed to knowing the words and just inserts a word he knows instead of sounding out the word (which he can do).

Every night we read one chapter to him in his chapter book and then he reads a level one reader to us. We go through a new book every day and then the next week we repeat them or another older book. He is getting really good at the books he has read once and can read with few errors on the third go round.

As a teacher, and mother who is an avid reader, it makes me happy to see him love books and reading so much. I really enjoy reading with both my sons. Colby is now getting more one-on-one reading time too so he is beginning to memorize his favorite stories too. I know he too will be an early reader.

I hope you take time each day to read to your children. There is a ton of research that proves that reading to your child everyday is so important for the social, emotional and educational development of your child. (o:

Why not step it up?

As a teacher, I knew that you should read aloud to children 2 years above their reading level. I decided that since Blake is beginning to read more and more on his own that it is time to start reading chapter books with him.

At this time, we do bedtime stories together... all four of us. Each of the boys gets to pick 2-3 books depending on how their behavior is before bedtime. We are now going to go back to having Richard read to one boy and me read to the other. We will switch every night who is reading to who. I am hoping that this will improve the focus on the stories, especially for Colby. It also gives us more of an opportunity to reader harder/higher stories with Blake. I also brought down my basket of level 1 readers for Blake to try to read on his own.

It blows my mind how well he is reading already. I had him writing an apology note the other day, long story, and was shocked at how well he was sounding out words. His writing was about the level of a 3rd quarter kindergartner. We are now having to buy 1st grade workbooks in order to find ones that provide him a challenge.

Colby loves to learn and read and do anything his brother is doing. He already knows most of his letter sounds and now is going around saying things like "milk... hmmmm does milk start with /k/ or /m/?" Colby is working hard on trying to learn to print his name and can pretty much get the C-o-l, but we are still working on the b and y.

I can say I am blessed with very smart children and I have to continue to challenge them to go to the next level. I just never thought that would mean a 4 year old reading books written for mid to end of the year kindergartners or reading chapter books to challenge him. I never expected to be helping my 2 year old correctly print his name because he wants to learn to do it.

Now to figure out what chapter books to read with Blake. I have the whole series of Junie B. Jones books since I read those to my classes. I'm leaning to Arthur Good Sports Chapter books, but I have only a fragmented series and they are out of print. I know a lot of people suggest the Magic Tree House series, but I'm tempted to leave that for when he can read on his own. What chapter books did you begin reading to your children?

I hope you take some time tonight to read aloud to your child, no matter how old they are (ok maybe not if they are adults or teens, but you know what I mean) reading books that are 2 reading levels above will help them grow as readers. Even if your child is an avid reader who reads to him/herself, when they hear books above their reading level it pushes their vocabulary and enforces good reading habits (something to think about!)

The Necklace

(I am not being paid for this post... just wanted to share)
If you've been following my blog for a while, then you know I like to read. I read every night before I go to bed, I find it very relaxing and soothing to settle down for the night with a good book. I also try to read a bit during the day. I feel it is important for my sons to see me reading. I read with them every night and often during the day too, but one way to show them a love of reading is to show them you like to read. There is a lot of research out there that shows that children who are raised in families that have books, newspapers, magazines and other forms of literature around are more likely to grow up to be readers. Both Richard and I are avid readers, and we both grew up in families of readers. I often bring a book or magazine outside to read while the boys are playing in the pool, or curl up on the couch while they are playing on the floor or watching a movie.

This weekend I read an interesting quick read book. My reading style is pretty much all over the place. I read a lot of romance and mystery books, but I will often pick up other books that just perk my interest. I also get a lot of books from other people. When you are an avid reader it can get expensive (yes, I know I could go to the library to get books), but when you share books with others it is a great way to share not only the books but your thoughts on the books.

Ok back to my reason for this post in the first place. This weekend I read The Necklace: thirteen women and the experiment that transformed their lives by Cheryl Jarvis. Not only was this a great quick read, I started it Saturday night and was done Monday morning, but it was also a great book. It dealt with an experiment that thirteen women embarked in that began by the purchase of a diamond necklace to share and ended with an inspirational group of sisters. The women not only shared the necklace amongst themselves, but with friends, family and stranger. But, even more than that they used the necklace as a catalyst for fundraisers and other projects to better the community in which they live.

If you are looking for a quick and motivational read, I encourage you to pick up this book... and then share it with your friends.

Friday Video

Yesterday I told you that Blake loves to retell the stories that he hears. I decided to video him doing that. Now these are actually not his best versions of the stories since it was forced (we all know how that is). You will get the gist of his telling. And... you get to hear how well he is talking now (remember he has only been talking since September 2009)

Let me tell you a story

I recently decided to bring out all my books on tape for the boys. I actually have a tape player in my car... which is sort of shocking since it is only a 5 year old car. I started by playing them on our drives. The boys LOVED this. My parents then bought Colby a new radio for the playroom with a tape deck. This has brought both boys loads of joy. They get so excited putting in a new story, but even more excited about putting in a story they've heard over and over.

At this time I do not have the books out with the tapes. I have done this for a variety of reasons. I didn't take the books out for the car because I didn't want them fighting over who got the book. I haven't brought them into the playroom because... well there are too many of them to pull them all out. I have been choosing a few of their favorites to put in the pile for bedtime books.

Blake has blown my mind lately with his ability to recall these stories. He can recite many of them with and without the books. He even tells you the author and what noise you hear for the page turns... hahaha!

The other night I heard Blake reciting Caps for Sale as he settled himself down for bed.

Colby has also learned many of these stories. He knows bits and pieces of each one and exactly where his favorite lines are said in the story.

But, the thing that really peeked my interest was the fact that the other day while they were playing in the playroom Blake was using imaginative play. Now you might say... what's unusual about that... nothing. Butttt, while he was playing he was talking in the way that a book is written. "Oh no Thomas is stuck. 'I'll help you' said Percy." Yes... that is a direct quote from Blake. And no it is not a quote from a story he heard. This went on for a good 10 minutes different scenarios, but still written in book style... hmmm maybe he will be an author when he grows up??

Christmas Stories

Last year I heard about a Christmas tradition that I totally stole! The family wrapped 24 Christmas stories and opened a new story each day from December 1st until Christmas Eve. I did it last year and it went... well ok. But, remember last year I had a 2 year old and a 6 month old... nothing went smoothly last Christmas. This year Blake is already really into Christmas and even Colby says "ho ho" when he sees Santa.

I put 5 Christmas books into Blake's room for bedtime (I put 5-7 new books in his room every week).

In his room I put:
If You Take A Mouse to the Movies, by Laura Numeroff... if you like this series of books you will really enjoy the mouse's adventure to the movies. This is one of Blake's favorite series of books to read so he was really excited to read a Christmas version.

The Night Before Christmas, by Clement C. Moore (Illustrated by Mary Englebreit)... this is a beautifully illustrated version of this famous poem. Can you ever read this one too many times?

Get Well Santa, by Julie Sykes... Santa gets a cold a few days before Christmas, his animals help him feel better and get everything ready for the big day. Blake loves to help say ahh, ahh, ahh ahhchooo when Santa sneezes.

Is That You Santa, by Margaret A. Hartelius... This is a rebus story about a little boy who wants to see Santa in his house. It is a great way to have a young reader help "read" the story.

Snowbear's Christmas Countdown, by Theresa Smythe... Snowbear does a different thing for the 24 days counting down to Christmas to get ready for the holiday. I wonderful way to incorporate counting into a Christmas story

As we open our stories, I'll try to post them and let you know what we are reading as we countdown to Christmas. What is your favorite Christmas story? What is your child(ren)'s?

Read it again

I posted some pics of my boys reading yesterday. This is a common sight in my house. My sons both love to look at books and have them read to them. We read 4 books before nap and another 4 before bedtime. But, that is just the set number we read, who knows how many we read during a given day.

Colby has really taken to reading in the last few weeks. I can't tell you how often I feel a book whack me in the leg because Colby has brought it over to be read. I almost always stop what I'm doing and sit down and read it to him. Again, and again and again and again.

I always find this stage interesting. How many times can we read the same story over and over? I think the max so far has been five times in a row. I usually get excited when there is another book close by because I'll try to swap them out after the 2nd or 3rd time reading the original book.

I love reading to my sons. I love pulling them into my lap and having that time to read just to them. I love reading to the two of them and watching them learn from each other. I love watching the develop a love of reading!

Books, books and more books

Those who have read my blog for any length of time and seen pictures on my blog could probably guess that books are all over my house... and yes pretty much they are! There are 8 rooms on our first floor and 7 of them have books in them... there aren't any in the dinning room (that I know of). Richard and I are both avid readers. When you look on our night stands there is always a book and/or magazine. In our living room there is a basket of board books and in the drawers of the end tables is a collection of hard cover books that were given to Blake over the years. In the play room there is another basket of board books and a few "play books". Colby had books in his crib as well as in his toy basket in his room. Blake has a 4 cube bookshelf that is full of books that I rotate out every few weeks. Our office has a HUGE bookshelf full of children's books that I collected over 10 years of teaching kindergarten. It also has a smaller bookshelf that hold all of the books Richard and I have read and/or soon will be reading (we share a lot of our books with others so we don't have such a huge collection of those). I also have more books upstairs in our bonus room, and the storage room off the bonus room has all my teaching stuff... and yes there are lots more books up there. (Oh and yes... there are books for the boys in our cars too)

Blake LOVES books... he likes to read books over and over and over again. He also goes through phases where he will bring you book after book for you to read them to him. Colby is beginning to develop a love of books too. I just went to get him up from his nap and he was looking at a book while he waited for me to come get him up. The challenge right now is Colby and Blake are at two very different levels of book enjoyment. Often Colby wants to come check out the story and then move onto something else, usually near by so he still is hearing the story. If he stays around to hear the story he wants to hold, ok chew, the book. This is hard as he wants to close it or turn it over or whatever. Now when I'm reading to just him... that's fine, but when I'm reading to Blake and Colby joins us it makes life interesting!

Oh well... the joys of an 19 month difference... and something that won't be long lasting. I am just glad to see that my sons like books. How proud am I when I hear Blake "reading" a book to himself!

reading skills

As a kindergarten teacher, I was always FLOORED by the children who lacked book skills. These are the skills that come naturally to children who are read to on a regular basis. From things as simple as how to turn the page, to finding text on the page, and knowing that the text goes left to right.

I had read to Blake and Colby since the day they came home from the hospital. I always feel that reading is a way to connect with my sons, a way to share a bit of love. Put them on my lap and read a story. Pointing to the pictures and the text through the natural process reading.

Blake has always loved to read. I can remember watching him crawl over to the book basket and pull book after book out for me to read. Before nap time Blake gets to pick out 3 stories and he gets 4 stories before bed time. I think this is his favorite time of the day. The time he gets to sit alone with Mommy for naps and with Daddy and Mommy at bedtime to read. To share a love of stories with the people he loves.

Blake is already learning how books works. He points to the text as well as the pictures. He knows where the book begins and end as well as how to turn pages. I see him learning these very important pre-reading skills at 2 and realize... yes! I've done something right!

Colby is just starting to get into books a bit more. Having two kiddos I found it harder to find time when Colby was an itty bitty to spend time reading alone with him. I did and do read with the two of them from time to time during the day. I'm trying very hard to read to him during Blake's nap time. I'm starting to see Colby love to reading more and more.

But as a mom, especially a teacher turned mommy, the best thing I saw was this:



And since I had my camera in my hand I made this video for you to see...

Read me a story

Blake loves to look at books. Once he moved into his toddler bed, we began reading to him every night before bed. Typically Richard and I each read him 2 books. I know there are many nights where if it was up to Blake Richard and I would each read him 20 books. He tries very hard to convince us to read one more, and one more and one more on those nights when he just doesn't want to give in and go to bed. Some nights we will give in and read a 5th book, but typically it's 4 and then good night hugs time.

The thing I find funny is on those nights that he struggles to go to sleep and comes out of his room after we've put him down for the night, when you walk him in he will hand you a book. It seems that he already uses books as his wind down get ready for sleep mode.

Last night he was not feeling well, Richard and I were in and out of his room 3 or 4 times between 7pm and 1:30am. (We finally got a dose of Tylenol into him and put Vicks VapoRub on him). The thing I found interesting was pretty much no matter how out of it he was, he often said "book" or "story" while we were in there. He wanted that one more story, one more book before he settled back down.

I love the fact that he loves books. I love that he sees the value of reading before he goes to bed. I just hope he continues to love to read!

Noggin: Get Ready to Read

I know a lot of you who visit my blog are mom's and teachers (or were teachers). Some of you may have seen on Noggin that they are partnering with First Book to donate books to preschool children who would not have access to books.

All you have to do is go to Noggin: Get Ready to Read and click... that's it! Just click and you contribute to the campaign... is there anything easier and more worthy???

Again, again and again

As a teacher, I realize the importance of repetition for learning. I know that children need to try things over and over to master skills. I also know that they love to hear stories multiple times.

But, as a mother of a toddler I find myself saying... can we please read another book! We just read that one 5 times in a row. Nope... again, again! Blake has a few books that we could read over and over and over for 30 or more minutes and he would be very happy. Yes, I know this is great for language development. Yes, I know it is great for pre-reading skills. Yes, I know reading is important and the love of reading even more important. Buttttt, can't a mommy get a break. I can read these books without looking at the book. I can read it forwards and backwards. I have even read them in my sleep!

But, I know being a good mommy/ teacher that I will continue to read these books until he decides that a different book is his new favorite. Then the pattern will start again!

Reading on my own

As a kindergarten teacher, I struggled to give some children the confidence that they could read on his/her own. I told them from day one that they "CAN" read and write. They read and write like kindergarteners which may or may not be the same as adults. Once they understood this then they were more willing to try to sound out words to read and write. They realized that the importance of reading by telling the story from the pictures. Then when they began to recognize some of the words and understood how to sound out others they really viewed themselves on the path to reading as adults.

As I have mentioned in the past, Blake lovessss books. I finally caught him reading on his own. This was not the best example of it, as the best ones are always when he doesn't know I'm there andddd often don't have a camera nearby. Also, the quality is ok, butttttt .... I wanted you to see that even a 15 month old can "read"!