Kids! Tips just for you

(parents/guardians – help your child read these tips)

  • Read every day that you eat! Yep, that means read at least a little bit every single day.
  • Read what you really like. Reading comic books, science books, story books, even road signs are all good practice!
  • Use the pictures in a book like clues to figure out the words! Pictures are part of the book too and make reading so exciting.
  • Ask an adult to read with you every day. Reading together is fun and really helps you get better at it too.
  • Pick a book that you know is “easy” or one that is a favourite, especially on days when your brain is tired. Easy books are good practice too.
  • Pick a book with a challenge as often as you can. Try to read one whole page and draw a picture about what you read.
  • Borrow different kinds of books from your library at school or the Calgary Public Library. Try story books, science books, books about the world, poetry books, big books, small books, hard cover books, soft cover books, picture books, chapter books. Even try books on CD or tape because listening to a story is nice too.
  • Listen to music (that your parent has approved of). Sing along! The words in songs sound like the words in books and are good practice.
  • Go to storytime at your local bookstore or public library to listen to a librarian or local author read aloud.
  • Use the Internet to help you read… but never instead of! (See some links below of places to visit on the Internet)

Calgary Reads top picks for Grade 1 and 2 students:

  • books by H.A. Rey, author of Curious George
  • books by Laura Numeroff, author of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
  • books by Judith Viorst, author of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day
  • books by Beverly Cleary, author Ramona the Pest and Mouse and the Motorcycle

Using the Internet to help you read:

Computers and the Internet can be great ways to help your reading, writing and learning. Many Internet sites provide stories to read online or to print and enjoy offline. Some show videos of storytelling which are great on days when you can’t read with an adult. Other sites encourage children’s book making and other forms of writing. And many sites share all kinds of information to discover, read, share and discuss.

The following sites are a great start to surf together:

(source: Today’s Parent)