Literacy at Home
January
Reading and Writing Nonfiction
Welcome back! We hope your kids all had a restful few weeks away from school, and that they were able to spend some time outside before the weather got so cold. Let’s hope that it warms up a little so that we can get back outside, and if not then maybe we can all get some reading in while we’re stuck inside!
We focus so much on fiction, both reading and writing, with our kids, but let’s talk about non-fiction this month. Non-Fiction is a great way to get some kids who are reluctant readers or writers hooked. Some kids find it easier to read and write about things that are real, rather than things that are fictional.
January is a good time to write goals for the year!
Goals, like lists, are a great way for your child to build their vocabulary. They can write weekly goals, monthly goals, or even goals that they’d like to achieve in 2017. You can help them by supplying a simple journal (from the dollar store) that they can write in, and encouraging them to try new words on their own. Maybe you’d like to model for them by writing some goals of your own for 2017!
Letter Writing
So many of us have family who live far away. Another way to write nonfiction is to write letters. Make a goal for your child to write a letter every month—either on paper that they mail to family or friends, or via email. Email is great, and for kids the quick response is often more appealing than the time it takes to receive a letter back in the mail!
Reading
What our kids read doesn’t have to be limited to books or printed magazines. Here are a few really great websites (parent tested and kid approved!) for kids to do some nonfiction reading online.
If you have any questions on how to help your child with reading and writing at home, please contact their teacher at 204-668-9304. You may also ask to speak with Erin Harris (Reading Recovery Teacher) or Lisa Tryon (Literacy Support Teacher), if you need book recommendations for your child please ask to speak to Jennifer Pattern-Regier (K-5) or Andrea Zaroda (6-8). Thank you, have a great January and let’s hope some warmer winter days are ahead of us!