Week of January 24th

Week Review:  In reading groups this week, we will continue to focus on the same skills as last week. Our snow days have delayed some of the concepts that I feel need to be mastered before we move on.  Level D will be searching for words with a consonant blend at the beginning of the words, then changing the endings.  (Grandma, great, grin, grab, grill, etc.) Level E will be searching their books for vowel patterns, mainly focusing on the "vowel, consonant, silent e pattern".  Level F will be able to locate words following the same vowel spelling pattern, but they will also be producing more that are not found in their story.  Level G will be building words in a pattern or sequence as found in Patricia Cunningham's book Making Words, 1st Grade and continuing to practice their expression and fluency.  Level H will be introduced to a main idea and then several supporting details.  This week we will be using a graphic organizer to help guide our group discussions.  Levels I and above will continue to work on Very Important Points as they read.


Book/Author Suggestion:   A Snowy Day* by Lola M. Schaefer.  This story is a nonfictional text that uses simple text and photography to explain the formation of snow and what people do in it.  Obviously, your child can make connections to what goes on in this book and our latest weather!!!  This book is a wonderful introduction to understanding nonfictional text.  The Table of Contents can be a wonderful tool, IF your child knows how to use it.  Since A Snowy Day includes a simple Table of Contents, you and your child can take the time to "use & practice" with it. 
Ms. Schaefer has a "What Kind of Day Is It?" series that supports the National science standards on basic features of the earth.  The simple text should allow your child to read this book on their own and give you an opportunity to hear how far they have come and begin asking comprehension questions. 

* indicates if it can be found in the Sappington Library. 

Parent Tip:                              Nonfiction
In many cases, you will find that your child will be more successful if you take the time to explain the text structure found in nonfiction stories; Table of Contents, Headings, Glossary.  It is also important to look for key words or phrases in the text that will help guide them while they read nonfiction.  Scholastic has created a table of text structures that need to be introduced and discussed with children to help them learn from nonfictional stories. Some of the text structures that are common in nonfiction writing is: sequencing, compare & contrast, problem & solution, and cause & effect.  Understanding these Reading Skills takes practice.  Don't forget to include nonfiction stories in your home libraries or your library "wish lists".  The more your child has an opportunity to practice, the more confidence they will gain when reading both nonfiction and fiction.