Have fun with poetry this monthApril is National Poetry Month, so look for collections of funny poetry to read with your child. Try Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends or Bruce Lansky’s A Bad Case of the Giggles. Don’t just read the poems together—act them out! Use a booming voice, a whisper or a squeaky voice—whatever you think is appropriate. Or change the words to make an even sillier poem.

Independent reading has a positive effect on your child’s school successWhen your child chooses to read material that is not part of a school assignment, he is engaging in independent reading, a term used by educators. And research shows that there is a strong connection between independent reading and academic success. To encourage this type of reading at home: • Set an example. When your

child sees you reading, he may decide to join you.

• Establish a family reading time. Carve out some time each week when family members gather together to read.

• Ask for your child’s opinions about what he reads. Show him that you’re interested in learning more about the books he likes.

Source: V. Thompson, “The Importance of Independent Reading in Elementary Schools,” Classroom, niswc.com/br_independentreading.

Talk about different types of nouns

In school, your child will learn that a noun is a person,

place, thing or idea. There are two types of nouns:

1. Common. These nouns name general items (brother, kitchen).

2. Proper. These nouns name specific items and are capitalized

(Patrick, Idaho). To practice these concepts at home:

• List various nouns and have your child say whether they’re

common or proper nouns. For example, dog (common),

hat (common), Mississippi (proper) and Dr. Seuss (proper).

• Look at a book or magazine with your child. Challenge her

to find several examples of people, places, things, ideas

and proper nouns.• Make it a game. Read a story aloud and have your child

listen for nouns. She can raise her hand when she hears a

common noun, and stand when she hears a proper noun.

Elementary School • April 2019

How Families Can Help Children Become Better Readers

Copyright © 2019, The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc., www.parent-institute.com

Reading mission: Find mistakes!Mistakes aren’t fun—unless you’re catching them! Challenge your child to find mistakes when she reads. She might see them in your local newspaper, on signs, or in notes you write. You might even make a mistake on purpose to see if your child can find it!

Build your child’s vocabulary with crossword puzzlesChildren with large vocabularies have an easier time reading. To boost your child’s word smarts, introduce him to crossword puzzles. Follow these steps: 1. Look online to find

age-appropriate puzzles.

2. Solve the first few together until your child gets the hang of it.

3. Suggest your child take a break if he becomes frustrated. Word games should be fun, not work.

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For lower elementary readers:• The Day the Crayons Quit by

Drew Daywalt. When Duncan opens his crayon box, he finds a note from his crayons. Each crayon is upset about something, and they’ve all gone on strike!

• AlphaOops! The Day Z Went First by Alethea Kontis. Z is tired of always being last—but rearranging the alphabet isn’t quite as easy as A-B-C.

For upper elementary readers:• Nouns and Verbs Have a Field Day

by Robin Pulver. It’s Field Day in Mr. Wright’s class—and the nouns and verbs that the students have been studying join in!

• Are You “Normal”? by Mark Shulman. What goes best with peanut butter? Chocolate? Jelly? Something else? This irresistible book has answers from kids across the country.

Copyright © 2019, The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc., www.parent-institute.com

Elementary School • April 2019

Turn sight-word practice into a game“Do you want to practice reading sight words?” you ask your child. “No thanks,” he says. Instead, try asking, “Want to play a game?” Then play this version of Memory:1. Write 40 sight words (basic words that

kids use often and recognize on sight, such as does, about and the) on index cards. Put each word on two cards. You’ll have a total of 80 cards.

2. Let your child arrange the cards facedown on the floor or a table. No one should be able to see the words.

3. Take turns flipping over two cards at a time. Read each word aloud. If one of you finds a match, keep the cards and take another turn. Otherwise turn them back over.

4. When all the cards have been matched, see who has the most. Make new cards when your child has learned the words!

Q: I want my child to do well in reading. How can I set high expectations without nagging?

A: It’s important to keep a positive attitude about reading—and to encourage reading without making it seem like a chore. The worst thing you can do is pressure your child by saying things like, “You have

to read well or you’ll fail.” Instead, say, “Reading can help us learn about almost anything! Let’s think of something really cool to read about this week.”

Building Readers®How Families Can Help Children Become Better Readers

Publisher: Doris McLaughlin.Publisher Emeritus: John H. Wherry, Ed.D.

Editor: Rebecca Hasty Miyares.

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Questions stimulate critical thinkingIt’s important for children to think critically when they read because it boosts understanding. So the next time your child picks up a book, ask questions such as:• What do you think the

cover says about the book? What do you think it might be about?

• Does the story make sense to you? Does it remind you of anything you’ve ever read or experienced?

• Do you like how the author wrote the book? Why or why not? What would you change?

• What was the book about? Would you recommend it to other kids?

Break up compound wordsIsolating parts of words helps your child develop her knowledge of language. Make a list of compound words (words that have two parts) like sunshine, moonbeam and baseball. Pick one of the words and then say, “The big word is baseball. If I say base, what is missing?”

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Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes (Agate Bolden). Winner of multiple awards, this is an uplifting story about a boy and the power of a simple haircut. The book’s rhythmic text and beautiful illustrations are perfect for read alouds. (fiction, lower elementary)

Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets by Kwame Alexander and others (Candlewick Press). Introduce your child to the beauty of poetry with this unique collection of original poems—each matched with a bold and intricate illustration. (poetry, upper elementary)

Stay: A Girl, a Dog, a Bucket List by Kate Klise (Feiwel and Friends). Astrid’s dog Eli is getting older, so she makes a list of activities for them to do together before he gets too old. This is a touching story of the love between a girl and her dog. (fiction, lower elementary)

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly (Greenwillow Books). What happens when a group of sixth graders are brought together because of a bully’s cruel act? Find out in this award-winning book about bravery and friendship. (fiction, upper elementary)

Charlie and Mouse by Laurel Snyder (Chronicle Books). Voted one of the most distinguished books for beginning readers (Theodor Seuss Geisel Award), this story follows the hilarious adventures of two brothers. (fiction, lower elementary)

Bronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenxuan (Walker Books Ltd.). Set in a rural Chinese village during the Cultural Revolution, this is the heart-warming story of two lonely children who become friends. Readers will learn about beauty, familial love and sacrifice. (fiction, upper elementary)

The World Is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid by Jeanette Winter (Beach

Lane Books). Learn how this famous architect overcame adversity and achieved her dreams in this picture-book biography. (biography, lower elementary)

Older Than Dirt: A Wild but True History of Earth by Don Brown and Michael Perfit (HMH Books for Young Readers). Learning about science is fun with this playful account of the Earth’s history. (nonfiction, upper elementary)

The Boy and the Whale by Mordicai Gerstein (Roaring Brook Press). A fisherman’s son discovers a whale tangled

in his father’s only fishing net. Will he find the courage to set the whale free? This beautifully-illustrated tale teaches readers about compassion and empathy. (fiction, lower elementary)

Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar (Nancy Paulsen Books). Ruthie is a young immigrant learning to adjust to her new life in New York when tragedy strikes. Follow her on a journey of heartbreak and hope. (fiction, upper elementary)

Recommended Books for Elementary School Children

The 2018-2019

BookBook ListList

© 2018 The Parent Institute®, PaperClip Media, Inc. www.parent-institute.comMay be reproduced by Building Readers® newsletter subscribers.

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The 2018-2019

Book ListWindows by Julia Denos (Candlewick Press). Join a boy and his dog as they go on a neighborhood walk at dusk. The simple text and interesting illustrations will encourage readers to pay attention to all the little details around them. (fiction, lower elementary)

Impact! Asteroids and the Science of Saving the World by Elizabeth Rusch (HMH Books for Young Readers). Some asteroids are harmless, while others cause massive destruction. Follow scientists as they investigate all things to do with asteroids. The accompanying photos will make science come to life! (nonfiction, upper elementary)

Princess Cora and the Crocodile by Laura Amy Schlitz (Candlewick Press). Princess Cora is overscheduled and desperately wants a day off. When she trades places with a naughty crocodile, complete chaos ensues! (fiction, lower elementary)

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate (Feiwel & Friends). Red is a wise old oak tree who watches over the neighborhood. When a new family moves in, he discovers his true purpose. This best-selling book confronts prejudice and celebrates kindness. (fiction, upper elementary)

Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability by Shane Burcaw (Roaring Brook Press). Author Shane Burcaw suffers from a rare disability. In this refreshingly candid book, he answers 10 frequently-asked questions about his life. Readers will learn that people with disabilities aren’t so different after all. (nonfiction, lower elementary)

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill (Algonquin Young Readers). A loving witch raises an enchanted girl in this nontraditional fairy tale about love, sacrifice and magic. Winner of the Newbery Medal, this best-selling book takes readers on a whimsical fantasy journey. (fairy tale, upper elementary)

Noodleheads See the Future by Tedd Arnold and others (Holiday House). Join the wacky

Noodlehead brothers as they head off on their latest adventure. Young readers will enjoy the simple text and comics-inspired illustrations in this hilarious graphic novel. (fiction, lower elementary)

Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters by Michael James Mahin (Atheneum Books for Young Readers). This award-winning picture book tells the story of blues musician Muddy Waters’ rise to fame. His struggle, determination and hope will inspire readers. (biography, upper elementary)

All Around Us by Xelena Gonzalez (Cinco Puntos Press). A young girl and her grandfather take a walk and explore the circles all around them. But circles are more than just shapes. They are also symbols of how we are all connected. (fiction, lower elementary)

How to Be an Elephant by Katherine Roy (David Macaulay Studio). Learn about the family dynamics in a typical African elephant herd. Filled with scientific research, interesting facts and gorgeous watercolor illustrations, this educational book will delight animal lovers of all ages. (nonfiction, upper elementary)

© 2018 The Parent Institute®, PaperClip Media, Inc. www.parent-institute.comMay be reproduced by Building Readers® newsletter subscribers.

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