Suggestions for Improving Communication Arts Skills

*Take a beach ball and mark these questions/statements on each color panel. Toss the beach ball back and forth after reading to check for comprehension.

   Fiction

•     Describe the main character.
•     Describe the setting of the story.
•     What is the plot?
•     How is the character feeling at this point?
•     What was your favorite part? Or what is the most memorable part?
•     What is the problem? Solution?

   Non-Fiction

•     What is the topic?
•     Find and describe 3 non-fiction features presented in this book? (Table of contents, photo/caption, chart, graph, table, index, glossary, etc.)
•     What information do those 3 features give?
•     Tell 1 bit of new information that you gained from reading this selection.
•     What information do you still want to learn about this topic? How will you find it?
•     Why did you choose this topic to read about?

*You can also have the student retell the story aloud in his own words to make sure that he truly understands what he is reading and not just repeating the text.

*Have the student draw the character, setting, or a certain part of the story and then tell you about the picture.

*Read in short spurts at first and then work up to around 20-30 minutes at a time.

*Read in a comfortable place. Kids love to read lying in the floor, in a tent, under a table, on bean bags, pillows, etc. Maybe let him choose somewhere that he doesn’t normally sit for other activities. This would be a “special” reading place.

*Use a rubber band to stretch out and snap together words.

*Use clay, play dough, shaving cream, pudding, peanut butter, etc. to write and say words and letters. You could also use these items to make pictures of things that begin w/ each letter of the alphabet.

*Cut out each letter using sand paper and make rubbings w/ crayons and paper. You could also spell out popcorn words.

*Using letter flash cards search your home for items beginning with each letter. Reinforce the sounds every time you find something that start s with that letter. (Ex- A is for apple)

*Randomly stick post-its throughout your home with the popcorn words on them. Whenever he/she comes across one, have your child to read it aloud.  Going on a popcorn word hunt w/ a flashlight is always fun too!

*Using cereal boxes, magazines, DVD cases, video game cases, calendars, etc. have your child to find certain letters/words and read them to you.

*When playing video games or computer games, help your child to read and identify letters/sounds/words instead of skipping them or reading it to them.

*Use flashcards daily to practice popcorn words. Maybe have a sticker chart to track progress.

I hope these ideas help. Please let me know if you need more suggestions. 

Mrs. Cooper