Below is more information regarding our Home Reading Program:
Dear Parents,
We are pleased to provide you with details of the Home Reading Program that the Grade 1/2 students are encouraged to participate in. Our main goal of this program is to promote a love of reading amongst students. Research has shown us that reading enjoyment is directly related to a student’s academic success. We encourage students to read daily at home, however we also understand that due to extra-curricular activities etc. daily might not be possible for some.
Students have access to a wide variety of books through the school such as the Learning Commons, the Calgary Public Library Book Truck and our school Home Reading book collection. Students are welcome to pick any book to read from any of these collections in our school. Many also have their own reading collections at home, they are welcome to use these books as a part of Home Reading too. Each month we will focus on one reading skill. Students will demonstrate their understanding of this skill by reporting on the books they have read on a Home Reading BINGO sheet. They can document their understanding in pictures and/or words. Once their BINGO sheet is complete they can submit it to their teacher. Students who complete their sheets will have an opportunity to share their love of reading and BINGO sheet with the class. On the back of the Home Reading BINGO page will be parent information on the reading skill students are working on that month.
The first month of Home Reading (until the end of November) we are asking students to practice the IPICK strategy. This strategy helps students in choosing an appropriate book for them. On the BINGO card they will be asked to respond to the question “Why did you choose this book?” They will need to document in a picture or words how they used IPICK to choose the reading book they chose that day.
When can students change books?
Students have access to the Learning Commons and the Home Reading Collection daily during IGNITE time. They can also find their own opportunities through the day to speak to the teacher to change their books.
Why are we not only requiring students to use the Home Reading Collection?
Students who find enjoyment in reading and are reading for interest are more likely to stretch their abilities. We want students to recognize that there is more to reading than just a level. While students will have access to the Home Reading Collection, we want them to truly enjoy reading to support them in building their reading skills.
For further details please See Mrs. Kinsman’s Blog Post from September 9, 2019
Please watch your child’s backpack for their first Home Reading BINGO sheet and parent information on IPICK.
The Peace Pod
