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Jacqueline Acostajacosta68@dadeschools.net

Language Arts Department ChairHGMS

Christine Rodriguezcrodriguez14@dadeschools.net

Language Arts Department ChairHGHS

Carmen S. Concepcioncconcepcion@dadeschools.net

Reading CoachHGMSHGHS

Suggestions for Helping Readers Gain ConfidenceTime and time again, we hear of the importance that good reading skills play in the lives of children as they become young adults, set their goals, and achieve. It's never too late to help your child gain confidence in his or her abilities as a reader. What better way to enjoy time with each other and help to build much needed self-esteem!

Suggestions for Promoting Literacy in Your Family

1. Motivate your children through personal ex- ample. Set aside time for turning off the TV and reading and/or studying on a regular basis. Read the newspaper or a magazine.

2. Encourage a strong vocabulary. Talk together as a family and try learning new words each day/week. Make it a game: everyone could be assigned to find a new word in the dictionary and report on it to the family.

3. Be a good listener. Encourage your children to explain or talk about what they are reading.

4. Allow your children to subscribe to magazines in their interest areas. Magazine subscriptions make wonderful gifts from family and friends.

5. Play games such as Scrabble, Hangman, Clue, or Word Bingo. The entire family will bene- fit from increased literacy and critical thinking skills.

6. If you have access to a computer, encourage your children to research interests over the Inter- net.

7. Using computer e-mail with family and friends encourages children to both read and write.

8. Encourage the use of daily journal writing. It allows for reflection and increased reading and writing skills.

9. Help your child set goals such as reading a set number of books per month. Keep track of them in a reading log.

10. Visit the library regularly. Help your children locate books. Allow plenty of time to browse the books and magazines, the software in the com- puter section, the talking books, and the videos.

11. If your child spends time in the car with you or is already a driver, try books on tape.

12. Start a family library so that favorite books can be enjoyed again and again. Take advan- tage of less expensive paperback copies, swap books with friends, or visit used book stores tok enlarge your library.

14. Talk about what you are reading and invite your children to do the same.

Let Your Mind Wander...

you cannot opena book without

learning something

Suggestions to help your reader achieve confidence

1. Find an interest: Get your child to talk to you about his or her interests or hobbies. Let your child teach YOU about a particular topic. Locate a good book on the topic.

2. Make a book: Suggest that the two of you make a book together. As publishing is a huge motivator for our children, the actual "creation" will give a great sense of achievement.

3. Research: Spend time together at the library or on the Internet locating information about a particular subject. Use a tape recorder for "talking notes" and pencil and paper for written ones.

4. Use the computer: Let your child experiment with different fonts and layouts so that he or she can ultimately achieve the look desired.

9. Illustrate: It is common for many children to illustrate their thoughts and ideas more easily than writing them. Allow space in the book for continual illustrations. If a student feels he or she is not good enough to draw, there's always the choice of making collages (using pictures and words from magazines).

Simple Ideas to Promote ReadingHave a light by your child's bed. Allow the child to stay up for an extra half-hour each evening if they are in bed and reading. No TV, comput-ers, or phone messages would be allowed dur- ing this time. It's an outstanding way to assist your child in calming down after a busy day and to encourage reading as well.

Make sure each child has a library card and that they have the opportunity to use it frequently.

Provide a quiet area with a desk and all the ma- terials necessary (pencils, pens, stapler, paper, etc.) for reading and doing homework.