Grades 9 - 12 Reading

Learning does not end in the classroom. Children who have supportive families who practice skills at home do better in school. These children also feel that school is important.

reading
 

• Set an atmosphere that encourages reading that is quiet and comfortable.
• Read with your child either as a role model (she sees you read a book of your choice) or as a support to her required reading.
• Ask him to tell you about what he is reading and ask questions to clarify meaning.
• Remind your child to focus, read slowly and reread (when necessary) difficult fiction and non-fiction material. It’s okay to read out loud to help with understanding the material.
• Encourage your child to use sticky notes while reading to mark words/sections that were confusing or interesting.
• Provide ways to help your child with unknown word(s). You can provide the word/meaning, use online resources, use context clues around the unknown word, or point out words as a part of other words (ex. analyze, analyzing, reanalyze).
• Have your child take notes or use a graphic organizer right after reading to record main ideas, details and to summarize the information.
• Take your child to the library. Librarians are good at helping children find books they will enjoy based on their interests.
• Remember that all types of reading are helpful. Some of the best readers and writers got interested in reading because they liked comic books or baseball cards.

writing                                                                                                          Graphic organizer exmaples
 

• Provide your child with resources to gather information for writing (computer, texts, writing utensils).
• Encourage your child to use graphic organizers to organize his writing.
• Encourage your child to share what she has read and researched. See if she can defend the points she makes and by asking her questions.
• Encourage your child to evaluate the accuracy of his sources and cite material correctly.
• Encourage your child to revise and edit her writing. She can use a proofreading buddy, proofread by starting at the end of the piece and reading backwards, talk to her teacher about proofreading prior to turning in her assignment, and work through several drafts.

speaking and listening skills
 

• Encourage your child to speak clearly and appropriately.
• Encourage him to listen carefully when others are speaking so he can discuss findings and evidence.
• Encourage him to express his ideas persuasively while building on others’ ideas during discussions.