As you are already aware, we closely follow the best practices written by Kathy Collins as illustrated in Growing Readers. Please enjoy this excerpt from her famous book! We will be higlighting one tip per week about how to help your young readers stay focused while they read....

"Strong readers read the pictures. Because some students aren't yet reading words, modeling for them how to spend time, really reading the pictures. I show them how to notice details in the pictures, how to tell the story of the book through pictures, how to find out what they think is the most important picture in the book, and how to talk about the pictures with a partner.  These mini-lessons help children learn to stick with a book for a longer time, instead of simply flipping through it and going straight to the next book. These lessons teach children to look more closely at books and to notice details, discrepancies, and surprises, as well as the value of slowing down."

In Kindergarten, Reader's Workshop is a time for students to challenge themselves at a level that is appropriate for them. It's a fine art, challenging students so that they excel in reading, while also giving them opportunities to build their confidence and relationship with reading. This week during Reader's Workshop, every group was reading small books with the teacher. Some are still primarily "reading pictures" while others are noticing sight words and using their phonetic understandings to sound out words that are unknown to them. Each step, regardless of what level, is so important in the process of becoming an excellent reader. We are seeing each student excel at their own pace - success!

One of the biggest perks of our job is watching Kindergarten students grow in many areas, especially reading. We have formed such great bonds with reading for all different purposes. Please enjoy some of our class' responses when they were asked, "What is your favorite part about learning to read?"

"Learning sight words" - Sorayah

"Because you learn things" - August

"You learn new words that aren't on the Sight Word Wall yet" - Kaycee

"Learning different words you don't know" - Davis

"You can read to your sisters and brothers" - Sam