Use social media to inspire your child to write short book reviewsEncourage your child to take reading to a new level by having him “tweet” a quick review of what he just read. Challenge him to write a short summary of a book’s plot and themes—as well as whether or not he would recommend the book to a friend. Remember, tweets are limited to just 280 characters!

Everyday activities can strengthen your child’s critical thinking skillsAnalyzing information means examining and evaluating it instead of just accepting it. This is an important critical thinking skill for students—especially when it comes to reading. To help your child enhance his thinking skills:• Look at a newspaper headline

together, then read the article. Ask your child if he thinks the headline did a good job of telling the reader what the story was about. If not, ask him how he would rewrite it.

• Talk about fact (established truth) and opinion (a person’s beliefs). Ask your child to tell you whether a statement is fact or opinion, and why.

• Ask your child, “What do you think?” at least once a day. Encourage him to share his opinions and explain why he thinks as he does.

Three factors boost motivation to read

You want your child to spend her free time reading, but

you’re not sure how to motivate her. To get kids reading,

experts recommend parents focus on these three factors:

1. Confidence. It’s important for children to feel good about

their reading experiences. Talk with your child about

her reading successes and give her opportunities to

practice reading aloud.

2. Choice. Children are more motivated when they get to

pick what they read. Take regular trips to the library

with your child. Visit several sections (such as fiction,

nonfiction and magazines) and let your child choose

what to check out.3. Interaction. Model strong reading skills by reading aloud

to your child on a regular basis. Have family discussions

about books and articles you read.

Elementary School • February 2019

How Families Can Help Children Become Better Readers

Fiction makes history come aliveBuild your child’s interest in social studies by introducing her to historical fiction. Ask your child’s teacher or your local librarian to suggest books that:• Present time

periods accurately.• Are set in real places.• Teach the facts.• Include helpful

pictures.• Avoid misconceptions about the past.

Copyright © 2019, The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc., www.parent-institute.com

Graphic organizers offer claritySomething as simple as a picture of a tree can help kids organize their thoughts about what they read. Each large branch can represent a part of the story (such as the main character, plot and setting). Smaller branches—which grow from the big branches—can include details.

®

Baldwin-Whitehall School District

For lower elementary readers: • In the Trees, Honey Bees! by Lori

Mortensen. Learn some interesting facts about the daily life of a honey bee in this beautifully illustrated, informative book.

• The One and Only Stuey Lewis by Jane Schoenberg. Stuey Lewis has plenty of problems, including difficulty with read-ing. But that won’t stop him from surviving second grade.

For upper elementary readers:• Every Day on Earth by Steve

Murrie and Matthew Murrie. What amazing things happen on Earth every day? This book provides fascinating details, such as how much air a person inhales each day.

• Tales for Very Picky Eaters by Josh Schneider. Is your child a picky eater? Then she’ll love this collection of stories with titles such as “The Tale of the Slimy Eggs”!

Copyright © 2019, The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc., www.parent-institute.com

Elementary School • February 2019

Write a special Valentine poem togetherThroughout history, people have written poems to show their love. With your child, try writing a cinquain—a classic style of poem that has five non-rhyming lines. Here’s how:1. For the first line, write a noun that describes

the topic of your poem.2. For the second line, write two adjectives that

describe the topic of your poem. 3. For the third line, write three action verbs

ending in “-ing” that describe your topic.4. For the fourth line, write a short phrase that

describes your topic.5. For the final line, write a noun that is a synonym or description

of the topic of your poem. To read some sample cinquain poems, visit www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson43/RWT016-1.PDF.

Q: I want my child to enjoy reading, but he seems to prefer watching TV and playing video games. What can I do?

A: It can be difficult to motivate some kids to read— especially when there are so many entertainment options available. Place limits on recreational screen time. Keep irresistible reading materials around the

house. Many young readers love magazines and graphic novels. Look for materials based on your child’s favorite shows or games.

Building Readers®How Families Can Help Children Become Better Readers

Publisher: Doris McLaughlin.Publisher Emeritus: John H. Wherry, Ed.D.

Editor: Rebecca Hasty Miyares.

Copyright © 2019, The Parent Institute® (a division of PaperClip Media, Inc.)

P.0. Box 7474, Fairfax Station, VA 22039-74741-800-756-5525, ISSN: 1531-4901

www.parent-institute.com

Build your child’s reading confidence Does your child read too quickly? Guess at words? Avoid sounding them out? If so, she may have reading anxiety—which can ultimately lead to challenges in school. To reduce your child’s stress over reading: • Read to her every day to

foster her love of reading. • Don’t force her to read to

you. If she wants to, great! If not, don’t make her.

• Extend her bedtime by 30 minutes on weekends— but only if she spends that time reading for fun.

• Make audio recordings of materials she finds especially challenging so she can listen and read along.

• Be patient and encouraging. Talk privately with her teacher and ask about ways you can help.

Explore a variety of reading materials with your childEncourage your child to explore books about different people and different things. He doesn’t have to finish a book if he doesn’t like it, but reading a broad range of books will help him discover new things and new interests.

®

1533-3302

X02726360

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes (Agate Bolden). Winner of multiple awards, this is an uplifting story about a boy and the power of a simple haircut. The book’s rhythmic text and beautiful illustrations are perfect for read alouds. (fiction, lower elementary)

Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets by Kwame Alexander and others (Candlewick Press). Introduce your child to the beauty of poetry with this unique collection of original poems—each matched with a bold and intricate illustration. (poetry, upper elementary)

Stay: A Girl, a Dog, a Bucket List by Kate Klise (Feiwel and Friends). Astrid’s dog Eli is getting older, so she makes a list of activities for them to do together before he gets too old. This is a touching story of the love between a girl and her dog. (fiction, lower elementary)

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly (Greenwillow Books). What happens when a group of sixth graders are brought together because of a bully’s cruel act? Find out in this award-winning book about bravery and friendship. (fiction, upper elementary)

Charlie and Mouse by Laurel Snyder (Chronicle Books). Voted one of the most distinguished books for beginning readers (Theodor Seuss Geisel Award), this story follows the hilarious adventures of two brothers. (fiction, lower elementary)

Bronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenxuan (Walker Books Ltd.). Set in a rural Chinese village during the Cultural Revolution, this is the heart-warming story of two lonely children who become friends. Readers will learn about beauty, familial love and sacrifice. (fiction, upper elementary)

The World Is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid by Jeanette Winter (Beach

Lane Books). Learn how this famous architect overcame adversity and achieved her dreams in this picture-book biography. (biography, lower elementary)

Older Than Dirt: A Wild but True History of Earth by Don Brown and Michael Perfit (HMH Books for Young Readers). Learning about science is fun with this playful account of the Earth’s history. (nonfiction, upper elementary)

The Boy and the Whale by Mordicai Gerstein (Roaring Brook Press). A fisherman’s son discovers a whale tangled

in his father’s only fishing net. Will he find the courage to set the whale free? This beautifully-illustrated tale teaches readers about compassion and empathy. (fiction, lower elementary)

Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar (Nancy Paulsen Books). Ruthie is a young immigrant learning to adjust to her new life in New York when tragedy strikes. Follow her on a journey of heartbreak and hope. (fiction, upper elementary)

Recommended Books for Elementary School Children

The 2018-2019

BookBook ListList

© 2018 The Parent Institute®, PaperClip Media, Inc. www.parent-institute.comMay be reproduced by Building Readers® newsletter subscribers.

®

The 2018-2019

Book ListWindows by Julia Denos (Candlewick Press). Join a boy and his dog as they go on a neighborhood walk at dusk. The simple text and interesting illustrations will encourage readers to pay attention to all the little details around them. (fiction, lower elementary)

Impact! Asteroids and the Science of Saving the World by Elizabeth Rusch (HMH Books for Young Readers). Some asteroids are harmless, while others cause massive destruction. Follow scientists as they investigate all things to do with asteroids. The accompanying photos will make science come to life! (nonfiction, upper elementary)

Princess Cora and the Crocodile by Laura Amy Schlitz (Candlewick Press). Princess Cora is overscheduled and desperately wants a day off. When she trades places with a naughty crocodile, complete chaos ensues! (fiction, lower elementary)

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate (Feiwel & Friends). Red is a wise old oak tree who watches over the neighborhood. When a new family moves in, he discovers his true purpose. This best-selling book confronts prejudice and celebrates kindness. (fiction, upper elementary)

Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability by Shane Burcaw (Roaring Brook Press). Author Shane Burcaw suffers from a rare disability. In this refreshingly candid book, he answers 10 frequently-asked questions about his life. Readers will learn that people with disabilities aren’t so different after all. (nonfiction, lower elementary)

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill (Algonquin Young Readers). A loving witch raises an enchanted girl in this nontraditional fairy tale about love, sacrifice and magic. Winner of the Newbery Medal, this best-selling book takes readers on a whimsical fantasy journey. (fairy tale, upper elementary)

Noodleheads See the Future by Tedd Arnold and others (Holiday House). Join the wacky

Noodlehead brothers as they head off on their latest adventure. Young readers will enjoy the simple text and comics-inspired illustrations in this hilarious graphic novel. (fiction, lower elementary)

Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters by Michael James Mahin (Atheneum Books for Young Readers). This award-winning picture book tells the story of blues musician Muddy Waters’ rise to fame. His struggle, determination and hope will inspire readers. (biography, upper elementary)

All Around Us by Xelena Gonzalez (Cinco Puntos Press). A young girl and her grandfather take a walk and explore the circles all around them. But circles are more than just shapes. They are also symbols of how we are all connected. (fiction, lower elementary)

How to Be an Elephant by Katherine Roy (David Macaulay Studio). Learn about the family dynamics in a typical African elephant herd. Filled with scientific research, interesting facts and gorgeous watercolor illustrations, this educational book will delight animal lovers of all ages. (nonfiction, upper elementary)

© 2018 The Parent Institute®, PaperClip Media, Inc. www.parent-institute.comMay be reproduced by Building Readers® newsletter subscribers.

®