January: Reading

Welcome back. I hope you had an enjoyable and restful few weeks. As we begin the New Year, let’s start with a focus on reading. Over the next few weeks, most students will be engaging in discussions about Technology in English Language Arts, covering topics from historical innovations to future developments. It is interesting to consider that many of our students may not be familiar with devices such as cassette tapes or typewriters. Preparing them to think about the evolution of technology, from the past to future advancements like electric planes and flying cars, can be quite engaging. I encourage you to discuss various types of technology with your children, exploring how they have changed over time and what the future might hold.

One of the key skills students will develop is Summarizing and Synthesizing. Summarizing involves identifying and restating the main points of a single text in their own words. Synthesizing, on the other hand, involves connecting, comparing, and analyzing ideas from multiple sources to draw new conclusions. You can support this at home by asking your child to write a summary of a story or book they have read. Subsequently, you might ask them to compare two or more stories, encouraging them to analyze similarities and differences. Questions such as, "What are the key points?" or "Does this story remind you of another?" can foster critical thinking and reinforce these skills.

Thank you for your continued support. Please continue to read to and/or with your child daily.  

Reading Counts,

Ms. Gathers