Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.

1. How can I help create an environment for reading at home?
2. What are some ways I can help my child be a better writer at home?
3. What are some way I can help my child be a better reader at home?

How can I help create an environment for reading at home?

Help your child find a quiet, comfortable place to read. 
Have your child see you as a reading model. 
Read aloud to your child. Reread favorite stories. 
Read with your child. 
Discuss the stories you read together. 
Recognize the value of silent reading. 
Keep reading time enjoyable and relaxed. 

Read the title and predict the story line.
Discuss the time and place of the story.
Talk about the characters. How have they changed over time? Which are most 
    important to the story? Which characters could be left out? How has the 
    author made the characters interesting?
Discuss the general plot, situation or problem.
Recognize the events at the beginning, middle and end of the story. Predict 
    different endings.
Support ideas with text.

~Adapted from Setting The Atmosphere From Invitations
By: Regie Routman

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What are some ways I can help my child be a better writer at home?

Write Creatively:

Make up a story together. Take turns contributing to the story, adding 
   interesting twists in the story. You might like it so much, you can write  
   it down.
Write directions on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or 
   anything your child knows how to do.
Have your child talk about five things he/she did today and write them in the 
   order that they happened.
Take a walk together and talk about what you see along the way. Have your
   child write down all the things you saw or heard.
Think of words that begin with the same letter and create a funny sentence.

~Adapted from Setting The Atmosphere From Invitations
By: Regie Routman

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What are some way I can help my child be a better reader at home?

Read aloud to your children, young and old everyday.
Alternate parents reading aloud with your children so both male and female
   models are given.
Read and write often for authentic purposes to serve as a model to your 
   children.
Read a novel to your children on long car trips or tape-record books for them
   to listen to during the ride.
Set up a neighborhood Reading Circle where parents and children get together
   to read and discuss their favorite books.
Encourage your children to select books by interest and not necessarily by 
   reading level.
Discuss books with your children.
Encourage your children to write a journal or diary from the perspective of 
   the main character in the book being read.
Have your children make hand puppets and act out a book they have read.
Encourage your children to explore answers to questions by using 
   informational books.

From Jerry L. Johns and Susan Davis Lenski, Improving Reading: A Handbook of 
Strategies. Copyright 1977. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. May be 
reproduced for noncommercial educational purposes.

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