Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- Do the students have spelling tests?
- How can I help my child study for spelling?
- How can I mix up spelling practice and make it fun?
- Is there homework every night?
- What is my child's independent reading level?
- How do I know if my child's book is just right?
- How should my child retell the beginning, middle and end of a story?
- What is Monitoring for Meaning? And what should I be looking for when I am reading with my child?
Do the students have spelling tests?
Yes. Spelling words are given out each week. The spelling skill
is studied throughout the week. On Friday we take a spelling quiz
to assess the skill of the week.
How can I help my child study for spelling?
Practice two words each night and all trick words. Trick words
are the hardest because they cannot be sounded out. Children have
to memorize the spelling patterns. Mix practice up! Make it fun!
How can I mix up spelling practice and make it fun?
Some Ideas:
1. Make two sets of flash cards with past spelling words or sight
words and play go fish
2. Play "Spelling Man" similair to Hangman. Students know how to
play
3. Spelling tick tac toe. Create a tic tac toe board on a white
board of paper. Write spelling words in each of the squares. Have
children choose a word, say it, spell it. If they get it right
they may mark it with an X or an O.
Is there homework every night?
Yes! Monday through Thursday there is homework everynight.
Students
will bring home a written homework sheet. Students should also
practice spelling words each night and read for about ten minutes
each night.
Please remind children to check over their homework for accuracy
and neatness. There is no need to tell them if their work is
right or wrong. This allows me to see how children are doing.
What is my child's independent reading level?
If you would like to know your child's reading level (the level
in which they can read with understanding and the book is not
frustrating)please contact me. I can provide a list of books your
child may find interesting.
How do I know if my child's book is just right?
This is a great question. Make sure the book fits!
1. Have your child read a page or two if it is a short story or
one or two paragraphs if it is a longer book. Have your child:
1. Read the short piece out loud to you.
2.Hold up a finger each word they cannot get.
3. If it is more than five and/or your student is reading very
slow or word for word the book is not right at this time.
4. Have them decide if it is just right. Guide them with the
above steps.
Don't stop there! If it seems like it's just right make sure you
ask your child questions to make sure they understand what they
are reading. Ask questions like:
1.What is the story about?
2. Who are the characters?
3.Where does the story take place?
How should my child retell the beginning, middle and end of a story?
Beginning: Students are taught to think of triangle. The
beginning should include three major points ( characters,
setting, and problem) For example: In the beginning there were
three pigs name Ollie, Wing, and Kate. They were in a the middle
of the barnyard on a farm in November. All three of the pigs
wanted to win first prize at the fair. They did not know the
winner would be eaten.
The Middle: Think of a square. Retell the four most important
parts of the story using the words First, Next, After that, and
then.
The End: How was the problem solved? Think of the last page. What
happened.
* If a child is having a hard time retelling you the major parts
of the story the book could be too hard!
What is Monitoring for Meaning? And what should I be looking for when I am reading with my child?
Monitoring for meaning is a variety of strategies students should
use to help them become better readers. Monitoring for meaning
provides ways for children to figure out unknown words, go back
and reread when something doesn't sound or look right, and use
context clues. Students should "use their tools" when they get
stuck during reading.