Becoming Readers

Reading can be very intimating for kindergarteners. I want my students to know right from the start of school that they are readers! We have been practicing the three ways to read books. Students practice basic concepts of print by starting from the beginning of a book and turning each page creating a story as they go.

How to read the pictures
I provide short level A, B, and C books where students can have success telling a story just by looking at the pictures. We think about the characters and how they are feeling. Students are encouraged to come up with voices for characters. We use words like next and then to make the story flow across the pages. This is done independently and also with a partner.

How to read the words
Teacher made simple pattern books are used. Students practice pointing to each word, following the pattern, looking at the picture for help, and getting your mouth ready to say the first sound. Students have opportunities with a partner and independently to highlight the first letter of each word and circle sight words.

How to Retell a Story
A book is chosen each week and read to the class each day that week. Then after the book has been read to students five times they are given copies of the book and retell the familiar story with a partner and independently.