Reading Groups Are Up and Running!

We are three weeks into our guided reading groups and full Daily 5 activities!  Children were grouped based on either reading fluency or comprehension instruction needs.  Each group consists of word work activities that tie into the Dolch sight words that were shared with you on curriculum night as well as word families and spelling patterns.  We then move into vocabulary instruction that is specific to the text being read with the group.  After we have gone over key vocabulary, we read through the text.  During the week in which we work with the text, we work on fluency by smoothing out our reading when it sounds "bumpy" and work on scooping up words so that we are reading in longer phrases rather than word by word.  More advanced readers are also working on adding more voice and expression to their oral reading.  Finally, we work on retelling the text using the sentence starters:  In the beginning..., Next..., Then..., After that..., In the end...  When reading nonfiction texts, we identify important facts within the text that help tell about the topic.  When reading at home, encourage your child to retell the text or key facts as well as identify their favorite part of the text and provide reasons as to why that is their favorite part!