Partner reading has been a great addition to our classroom. Students love to share their reading with a partner, as well as, share the task of reading the book. Here is a video of two students sharing the story of Froggy Gets Dressed, a classroom favorite.
Gestures and story book language are heavily emphasized in early reading development. Books are chosen that offer the student the opportunity to both gesture and use story book language in a retell. Here is a video of two students having fun retelling Caps for Sale.
Nonfiction and informational books are also a large part of emergent reading. What can a reader look at in a picture and learn from it? Stay tuned for a video example in the up coming days.
What can you do to support reading development in your child? Practice reading a variety of ways. Tonight read a book by looking at the pictures and connecting them with a story (this works best with a story your child doesn't already know, library books are a great opportunity each week for that), retell an old favorite using the pictures as supports for that rich story book language. If you share the task this is a great way to plant the language for them (If you used the Jack and the Bean Stock, maybe the Fee-fi-fo-fum is the part you say and then say, let's say it together).
Another great addition to any reading time would be to ask your child their favorite part and why. If they are not able to give you a part, model this for them, "I liked when Froggy's face got red when he realized he forgot his underwear."
