• Do not force your child to read outside of assigned schoolwork that needs to be completed. Instead provide opportunities for your child to read text that they find interesting and model reading by engaging in reading activities yourself. 

    Do not do everything on this list. Choose a few items or activities that you think will work for you and your child. You can help your child to read better by building…

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    TOPICS:  

     

    • Vocabulary: the ability to understand the words

    • Fluency: the ability to read with accuracy and ease

    • Comprehension: the ability to acquire information or meaning from text

    • Interest: the desire to read various texts for various reasons

     

    Building Vocabulary

    Increase conversation by having electronic free evenings. Discuss current events, personal interests, historical events, family history, movies, sports, etc. Make an effort to use more complex language in your conversations.

    Play word games, such as Scrabble, Boggle, Upwords, and Scattergories. They are fun and will help your middle schooler learn new vocabulary words. 

    Read and discuss a newspaper or magazine article with your child. Ask your child to identify three words they do not understand. Discuss the words, and how those words may be used in different situations. 

     

    Building Fluency

    Have your child read a text out loud. If they read effortlessly and smoothly with expression, fluency is not something you need to worry about. Make sure the text is on your child’s grade level and/or is not too complicated. 

    Read a line or sentence from a book with expression. Then have your child read the same line, trying to mimic your expression and fluency.

    When your child has a writing assignment due, ask your child to read that assignment out loud to you. This can also help their own writing as you both may notice some mistakes that went unnoticed in silent reading. 

     

    Building Comprehension

    If your child has an assigned reading, try to read the same book so you can have meaningful discussions about the story.

    Ask your middle schooler for opinions about what her/she is reading and/or about the author. Also, talk about what you are reading, or have read in the past, that may relate to stories your child is reading or discussing. 

    Listen to books on audio in the car or as a family at home. Talk about the stories.

    Help your child see that reading is important. Set a good example for your child by reading books, newspapers, and/or magazines. Talk about what you are reading. 

     

     

    Building Interest

     

    Unless your child is reading something you deem inappropriate, be non-judgmental about the text your child chooses.

     

    Allow your child to subscribe to magazines based on his/her interests to encourage frequent reading.  

    Print out an interesting article for your child to read; and leave it at the breakfast table so your child can read it while eating. 

    Make it a habit  to visit the public library every couple of weeks. Let your child roam around and/or ask the librarian for suggestions on titles that reflect your child’s reading level and interest. 

    Encourage your child to read for 15 minutes before going to bed as a way to de-stress and settle down for the night. 

     

    Take reading materials with you to shared outings. Encourage your child to read while riding in the car, waiting at the doctor’s office, passing time between activities.  

     

    Write a note recognizing your child’s growth in reading. A little praise can go a long way!