Partners in Reading (PIR) is a way for beginning readers in the Children’s House to have another opportunity to practice their emerging skills. PIR brings new people into the classrooms. It is a wonderful way for LMS staff members who do not have a classroom position to get to know our students.
Administration and staff commit to 30 minutes a week in a classroom as listeners as well as readers. Our students may choose to read to these listeners during their visit or be read to. When young readers are beginning the process of decoding words they are enthusiastic and want to practice as much as possible. The children eagerly look forward to reading to their PIR friends when they visit their classrooms each week.
Our CH students also love to see their PIR friends around campus. Many times a child will run up to a PIR friend on the playground and greet them with a smile. The students inevitably ask if they are coming back soon to listen to them read. It is clear that both young readers and listeners enjoy the opportunity to spend time together!
In CH3, Kathleen Kerr, our school nurse, volunteers her time each week and we really appreciate her commitment. She listens attentively as a few children practice reading and then discuss the stories they have read aloud.
And parents…you too can be a partner in reading from the comfort of your own living room! Here are a few suggestions for listening to your child read at home:
- Have a conversation with your children about the book they are reading. What is it about? What has happened so far? What do they think will happen next?
- If children are just beginning to read, take time to look at the illustrations. Younger children are attracted to the pictures; they help the children to understand the words in the story.
- You can also discuss the characters in the story. Who are the characters? What are they doing? How do they feel? What do they think will happen to the main character?
- When a child does not know a word, ask them to try it and then tell them what it is if necessary. If a child misreads a word you do not always need to correct your child, sometimes it is best to just let it go.
- Please remember to use lots of praise and encouragement. The goal is for your child to become more confident in their reading skills.
- The most important recommendation I am offering is to engage your child in conversations.
So, parents, join the list of esteemed LMS reading partners Aline, Rebecca, Kathleen, Mike, Jennifer and Margie and the many others who read, listen and guide our emerging readers on their journeys into the wide world of written words. Have fun and enjoy reading and listening to your child read to you. Happy reading!