ELEM:HIT->Raising readers

["Kathy O'Neal" <koneal@WVIZ.ORG>]

The PTO meeting was last night, and thanks to a truly incredible outpouring
of wisdom from you all, my little talk about raising readers went well.
I hope you'll save the following file to use yourselves.  I had one parent
suggest that it should be published!

On January 27, I wrote:
"The PTO at one of my K-4 buildings has asked me to speak at their evening
meeting on ways parents can help their children become strong readers.  The
program is Wednesday night the 31st and I'm almost ready.   Before I nail it
down, however, I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject.
*What advice would you give to parents who are concerned about their
children's reading?
I'd love to get enough responses to put up on a bulletin board in the
library so parents could see our technology at work, dealing with an issue
that is so important to them and their children."

Your responses:

        The way to raise readers is to read to the baby in arms, get
books into the hands of toddlers (my son only tore out 1 page, and that
is because I made the mistake of letting him take the Mother Goose book
to bed and he decided to tape the picture to the wall because he liked
it).  Read to the child at least 20-30 minutes a day even when they can
read for themselves.  Find out what the child likes and have books around
about the topic even if they can't read the words yet.  I am a school
librarian .  When my son was small I checked out books from 5 different
libraries to get just the right books: three different public libraries,
church library, and my school library.
        Get tapes like Wee Sing that have a book to "read along" while
the tape plays.  Be a model, turn off the TV and model being a reader.
Cynthia Whisennand
M. C. Lively Elementary
Irving TX
cwhiz@tenet.edu


I'm so unimaginative on this subject since I can't remember not knowing
how to read so I'll tell you what my sister told me. She has her Phd in
early childhood whole language and a lot of stuff that I'm not involved
with on the secondary level. Here goes-Let them read anything-even the
baby books as long as they are reading. They will soon get tired of the
Little Engine That Could. I have three boys: One reads Goosebumps, one
can't read anything and one reads Car and Driver. I am amazed that I am
related to this crew! My husband read everything that has print over it!
We read the newspaper, novels, cereal boxes, cookbooks like they were
great romances! Amazing! We love our kids, so we keep trying!



Kathy, tell your parents to READ - READ - READ to their kids!!!  Go with
them to the public library and help them pick out books to read or have
read to them.  Buy kids their on special books.  I also think it's very
important for parents to model reading.  If the kids see the parents
reading, the kids will know it is something of importance, of value.
Linda Stephenson, Library Media Specialist



Just a comment--Shaker Heights is very fortunate to have a K-4 Librarian for
those children. A librarian for that age is crucial when reading emerges and
grows. A librarian with energy and enthusiasm can instill in those children
a
love and desire for reading like no other single force.

I make this comment as I sadly look at our own situation in California where
elementary librarians are very rare and in my particular district--Madera
Unified--do not exist at all.  We have 16 elementary or k-8 schools that
have
merely a semblance of a library media center (in most cases) and a parent
volunteer or part-time aide (if they are lucky). There are only two
credentialed librarians for 17,000 students. I have two middle schools and
the other woman has two high schools on three sites.

Again, I commend your district for recognizing the importance of Library
Media Specialists and Library Media Centers.

Sharon Owen
Madera, Ca


Kathy - Great topic!!!  My suggestion?  READ TO THEM, READ TO THEM, READ TO
THEM,  READ _WITH_ THEM,   LET THEM SEE YOU READ, and repeat the above over
and over and over and over and.........     Pat Bennett, LMS, East Muskingum
Middle School,  New Concord, Ohio

Read Jim Trelease's READ ALOUD.  The book is full of good ideas, sound
advice, and many titles to supplement your considerations of raising a
young reader.

Louise Edwards   Elementary Librarian   Mount Vernon, WA


Encourage your children to read and take time to listen to them read,
praising them when they finish and allowing them to share with you what is
special to them about the books they read.. Also important is that they see
you read and enjoying it.  Library visits all year, but especially  during
the summer months and involvment in summer reading programs is a plus. Buy
books for your children and let them choose what they like.  Ownership is
very important to a child learning to read.  When they outgrow those books,
they can be put in a yard sale, or donated to libraries or other children.
=:)Beth Thompson
Future Librarian and parent of two voracious readers ages 15 and 11!



I would ask them if their children can watch them reading.  Do the
parents model reading as an important skill: (not just the comics)
newspapers, novels, the directions on the back of the box (lots of people
don't), magazines, etc.
do they talk about reading with their children and spouses?  "I read in
tonight's paper about.....  What do you think of this idea?"

Chyrel Remmers,  Chambers, NE


    This may not be what you're looking for, but since I got a TV with
closed-
captioning capability, I've become convinced that if people who had this
technology (now required on all TV's), would keep the captioning on, and
even
turn off the sound as much as possible, that reading could really be
reinforced.  It would depend, of course, on the watchers' abilities.
Beginning readers would need the sound, but if you wanted middle grade
students to just practice their skills, it could work wonders (and make the
house a lot more peaceful).  I find I get a lot more out of the programs
myself by doing this, because often things are in the captioning that are
inaudible in the sound.  Good luck.



     I did a local television commercial giving tips on reading.  I used
an articulate First Grader who came off like Liz Taylor, she was a hit
and so was the commercial.  Here are a few things we highlighted:
     Read to your children each and every day.
     Get your children involved in the process: Let them follow along
with their fingers under the words and let them turn the pages.
     Visit your school and public library often.
     Support your school library and librarian.
     Offer to purchase books for the library, to celebrate a birthday,
memorialize a loved one etc.

These a just a few suggestions.   I hope your mailbox has tons more.
                               Good luck!!!     Marilyn

Marilyn D. Hample, LMS     Horseheads School District      Horseheads NY
14845


Every opportunity you have to read aloud or discuss books read by your
child with him is a chance to encourage life-long reading habits!!!
Dianne Lockridge   Buffalo Grove,IL 60089


You never know what one story or one book will be the one to get a child
interested in reading.  I became interested in reading when the pictures
made by the words in the  story became real and I could see in my minds eye
what the author was writing about.  As a child I had seen geese flying
north and south from our farm place and when in summer school to improve my
reading, the story told about geese flying.   I had seen them and now the
story made sense in a way that reading hadn't before.  This was the spark
that got me interested in a life time of enjoyable reading.

Kathy Geronzin       Northeast MS-HS         Goose Lake, IA 52750



I would encourage any parent concerned about his child's reading to set
aside time every day to read aloud with the child.


Research shows that ability to read is the single major predictor of a
student's ability to succeed in school.
Doesn't matter what a child reads, or a parent for that matter, as long as
they READ!
Read aloud to your child on a daily basis starting as a baby with things
like
nursery rhymes.
Teach your child that reading is not just a reading textbook, it is reading
things like a newspaper, letters, books, comic books.
Take your child to the library and let them pick out some books they
like..as
opposed to ones you like.
Just remember reading is fun not a chore!
Margaret Hunt,Augusta GA


Dear Kathy and parents,
        The best way to raise children who are good readers is
to read to them.  Cut off the television and read to them and
have them read.  Be sure that you read to your young children
EVERY night before they go to bed.
 Lena Grant      Chesapeake VA 23321


It's said that just 15 minutes a day spent reading to your child/ren will
improve not only their reading ability but their entire performance at
school.


Some things I'd like to suggest are: let your child/ren see YOU reading &
enjoying it; read to them at least 15 minutes/day (& don't stop when they
become proficient readers; and always include at least ONE book in their
Christmas/birthday presents or other gift-giving times.

Debbie Collier    Houston, Texas


My bit of advice to parents:  Read with them 15-30 minute every night,
and not only pre-readers.  Even my 4th grader, a good reader, enjoys it
when we get in his bed at bedtime and read a good novel together.

My advice to parents concerned about their child's reading (and
I'm sure you'll get this many times) :

Read to them, read to them, read to them, and KEEP reading to
them, even after they can read themselves.

Sandy Parks     Harrisonburg, VA


Kathy, how exciting to involve you parents, and to let them see at the
same time the power of the net!

As a former public librarian, let me suggest that they also take their
children to the Public library where there should be wonderful programs
that encourage parents and kids to interact and read.  Also They have the
latest and greatest in kids lit...while they are there--they can also
find good things to read.

Studies show that it is equally important to kids to see that their
parents value reading and do it for themselves.  Also, I suggest that
they read together as a family.  Some of my best memories are of reading
--first just Mom read, but as we all acquired more skill we all took
turns.  At Christmas we read "The Christmas Carol" every year! My mom
died four years ago and we are still reading it....even though my
youngest just started college!
Karen McIntyre       Morton, TX


If your're concerned about your children's reading - read to them!  Let
them know reading is fun.  Read what they like.  Make it a regular,
pleasant time.  Hold them on your lap while you read.  Or curl up on the
bed with them.  Read to them before they can understand.  I read to my
kids when they were infants.  I'm told that my dad held me on his lap as
an infant and read me the assignments he was preparing to teach his
junior and senior high school classes.  Babies don't know what you're
reading - but they know they're getting your attention, a soothing voice,
and being held.  Then, when they get older, read what they like.  Buy
them books of their own.  Just read, read, read!
Diane Durbin      Stafford, TX



Advice to Parents,
        Your children watch and mirror your actions. It is important that
they
see *you* reading.  Reading to gather information: newspapers, magazines,
journals, etc.  Reading directions, which might have to be reread several
times.
Reading for pleasure.  Parents should be in the habit of always having
reading
materials with them for *down time reading*.  Parents should share what they
are
reading with their children, not whole articles, but tidbits they find
interesting.  Encourage your children to share their reading and findings in
the
same way.  Remember, we not only want to teach children to read.  We also
want
children who read to learn.
        I'm ending with a quote sent to me by Aaron Shepard an children's
author.
        "If stories come to you, care for them.  And learn to give them away
where they are needed.  Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to
stay
alive."....Barry Lopez
Sandi Purnell         Belton, Missouri



Advice to all parents:  Read to your children Regularly! and when it's
appropriate, Read with them, let them read to you.  Talk to your child's
teacher about strategies to use when they get "stuck", and keep on
reading to them.
Carol Harma, Guy Lee Elem. Springfield, OR



Tell your parents that research has shown that this can help tremendously:
Read out loud to them.
Read out loud to them.
Read out loud to them.
If time is an issue, go to your public library and check out book/cassette
tape sets.
Then children can read along, hear how words are pronounced, hear words used
in context, hear voice inflections, and pick up on what that little dot at
the end of the sentence means.
Try  __The Read Aloud Handbook__ by Jim Trelease.  He has other books that
are helpful, also.
L. Walkup         Tulsa OK


I am preparing a Family Reading Night for our elementary school. The
emphasis will be on motivating parents to become more involved in their
child's reading. Two main points I want to make are:
        1.Read aloud to your child and don't stop just because he/she
has learned to read.
        2. Show that you value reading by your actions-read, go to the
library, visit bookstores, purchase books.
I have used Jim Trelease's books and Mary Leonhardt's "Parents Who Love
Reading, Kids Who Don't" to prepare for the presentation.
If any of you can recommend other resources, or have any ideas that you
think will help to make the evening successful, I will appreciate hearing
from you.
Linda Gettle     Timonium, MD


My advice to parents would be as follows:
Love, respect, and read yourself. Love and respect your children enough
to let them bloom as readers in their own time. Read _Leo the Late
Bloomer_ by Robert Krauss.
Read to your children and let them read to you.
Children, who do not have books at home, do not know how to treat them.
Children, who are force-bloomed, tend to be bypassed by classmates around
the second grade. Do not neglect picture books in the great rush to push
children into "chapter" books. Leave Jack London & Mark Twain for when
children are old enough to understand their works. (Yes, I have had first
graders who are supposed to have "read" these authors.)

Pat Rosemary
Newark, Delaware



MY SAGE WORDS OF WISDOM (FROM A MOM OF 3 VORACIOUS READERS / LIBRARIAN OF
MORE YEARS THAN I CARE TO ADMIT) ON HOW TO GET YOUR CHILDREN READING:
1.  Let them see you read.
2.  Read to them when they're little and with them when they're older.
3.  Have a supply of books available (at home, school library...etc)
4.  Occasionally discuss (to whatever appropriate level) what they have
read.
Enjoy them.....
Jo Ann Ayers Lynn, Librarian       Memphis, Tennessee


Read to them, read to them, read to them. They are probably never too old
to be read to (although they may think so around 12 or 13 years old).
Read them something you enjoy yourself and let them know that you enjoy
it. Tell them why you like it. Tell them about other books you have
liked. Let them see you reading. Let them know by your example that
reading is not only important, but also fun.
Laura Vogel       Salem, Oregon


In response to your question: *What advice would you give to parents who are
concerned about their children's reading? I would say:
Read to your children _every day_. Read all kinds of literature: fiction,
nonfiction, folklore, ... anything. Even as your children become old enough
to read for themselves, spend some time reading to them as well as listening
to them read.
Also let your children see you reading for your own enjoyment and to solve
your own information problems.
Ruth Brandt, Media Specialist         Oelwein, IA


This is a great idea - even better than the "greetings".  I would love to
have the responses to post during our April book fair - especially since
part of the theme for National Library Week is technology oriented.
Please include the Auburn Early Education Center in this response.  We
are a school of 350 kindergarten students and right now involved in a
debate about whether or not the students will be allowed to take the
library books home!  Maybe what you have to say will help the teachers
decide in favor of sending books home.  TIA - very much!  Jane Henderson



Read. to them. in front of them. with them.
Read all kinds of things. Funny, exciting, scary, poetry, picture books,
chapter books...
Talk about what you have read. Show that it matters.
Don't be afraid to cry at the sad parts! It shows the power of the
written word to communicate all types of emotions.
Give books as gifts for all occasions. Choose something special.
Visit the library together.  Check out books for you as well as the kids.
Use books to research a planned vacation. Use Consumer reports to
research a planned purchase...
Just read!!
     Anne Swan     Johns Elementary     Arlington, TX     aswan@tenet.edu


The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease is filled with anecdotes and
facts about the importance of reading to your child.



Speaking as a former Kdg. and 1st grade teacher and the mother of two
very successful adults, I think that the best things that parents can do
to encourage reading in their children are 1) to read with them and make
it a pleasurable event EVErY DAY and 2) be a good example and devote some
time to reading for adults themselves.  Children are most likely to
become what their parents are, in spite of our best efforts.  Jean P.
Liming, Ph.D.  District Media and Technology Coordinator, Lapeer (MI)
Community Schools.



The following was submited to *The Wall Street Journal* in 1980 by United
Technologies.  I found a copy in someone's file a few years ago and have
passed it along to many people.  Perhaps it would be useful at your
session although you may need better citation for it...?

Tonight
at the dinner
table, read
something
out loud to
your family.
Tomorrow night,
let another member
read something.
A news story.
A Bible verse.
A Robert Frost poem.
A cereal box panel.
History. Humor.
Anything.
Each night a different
family member can read
a selection.
Imagaine the wide range
of subjects your family
will read in 365 days.
What a stimulating way
to have your children
develop good
reading habits.
We have 23 million
illiterate adults
in America.
We wouldn't have one,
if each of them had
been served reading
as part of their
nightly diet.
It's non-fattening,
but enriching.
And it doesn't cost
a dime.


Advice to parents:
Turn off the television.
Your children will be more likely to read if you do.
Make regular trips to the public library.
Read aloud, even though your children are quite capable of reading to
themselves.
Take turns reading aloud.
Liz Fairman


As a librarian, teacher, and most importantly, as a parent, I can tell each
of you that the best way to help your child become a strong reader is by
reading to them, with them, in front of them.  Start early--at infancy.  Do
it all the time.  Let the children see you reading.  What you do is far more
important than what you say.  Keep books, magazines, newspapers around all
the time.  If you show that you enjoy reading, your child will believe that
reading is fun.

Besides, if your child becomes an avid reader, you'll have the perfect way
to keep him from bugging you on long trips, visits to elderly relatives,
while waiting at the doctor/dentist etc.  Just hand over a new book!  People
will think you have a wonderfully behaved child.  You don't need to tell
them that the rest of the world doesn't exist once that child gets into a
new book. :-)
Anne Oelke

 I think it is very helpful to have parents read to their
children.  A second grader might enjoy Alice in Wonderland or Shiloh, for
instance, if it is read to them.  Maybe they can read along in a second
copy!!
Debbie Gibbons



This might be a good "hand out" for your session:)
Several requests for this so am posting to whole group...

The Reading Mother   by Strickland Gillilan

I had a Mother who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea,
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth,
"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath

I had a Mother who read me lays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe
Which every boy has a right to know.

I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Gelert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness blent with his final breath.

I had a Mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings--
Stories that stir with an upward touch,
Oh, that each mother of boys were such!

You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be--
I had a Mother who read to me.

(Thanks, thanks, thanks to Janet Hofstetter for getting me the
entire text!--Julia)


I would suggest to parents:  read, read, read -- to, and with, the child.
Carolyn Spann



    I'm sure that you have thought of all the obvious things. Two
suggestions come to mind. When my children were younger I would often
read them the first chapter or two of a book and often they would
get very interested and not want to wait until I had the time to
continue and so they would finish the book themselves.  This is a
way parents could help their children get into books, just by
starting them off.  The other suggestion is that parents let their
children stay at the same level of reading for quite awhile rather
than constantly encouraging more challenging books.  Children have
to read LOTS of books which are at their reading comfort level
before they move on.  That's when reading becomes a pleasure for them,
when it's just plain old comfortable.
    I hope you do post a hit, I can imagine the PTO wanting a similar
presentation in the near future.

Elaine Donoghue


To parents who are concerned about their children's reading?
There is only one way to help your child read better! Itis the same way
they learn to walk, to talk , to ride a bike and to become a decent
person...do it! And do it! and do it!! It doesn't matter what they read,
classics, comics, newspapers or just he cartoons. they need you to
encourage them to:
RRRRRRRRR EEEEEEEAAA A DDDDDDDD             !!!!!!!!!!!
Most importantly, let them see you read!!!!!
During Read-A-Thon, I teach my kids a cheer. We bang hands, stomp feet and
yell (Yes! In the library! Reading is important enough to break the rules
for!) I stand up there with my little cheerleader's pommpom and ask them 20
questions, like what can you do when there's nothng to do? What can you do
before bed? What can you do from Mom or Dad's lap? What can you do waiting
for someone? What can you do standing on your head? etc The answer is
always the same RR,EE,AA,DD, RE,AD, READ!!!!!! They love it and are already
asking if we are going to do it this year!
T. K. Cassidy - Librarian , Upi Elementary, Yigo, Guam



Go ahead--don't be hesitant--begin teaching them to read at home--from
cereal boxes,signs on the road, books,gift tags--you name it--get 'em
readin' it--use computers used anything but associate letters and words
with readsing early on!


I always tell the parents at school... just READ!!!!  Read
to them from the time they're born until they're at least
into Middle School!  Older kids love to be read to... and
it's a wonderful one on one activity for that "quality" time
everybody would like to have.
Lynn in Rochester, NY




        YOU have the most influence on your child's reading
interest and ability.  Most especially in reading, the school
cannot effect what is not prioritized in the home.

        Let your child see you read.
        Talk to him/her about what you've read.
        Provide books and magazines for all members of your family.
        Listen to your child read, and comment on his/her choices.
                If you're really lucky this might spark a conversation
                about his/her life, interests, fears.
        Read to your child.  Even 12-year-olds are not too old
                to enjoy a good read-aloud.  Even if they complain,
                they are most likely to enjoy it.
        Let young students know that reading will effect their
                educational success.  The best grades on SAT and other
                entrance exams are scored by readers who have had
                years of exposure to vocabulary and sentence structure.
        Reading is a lifelong lesson that is FUN!!
Sandy Steinberg


Read to your children.
Read yourself--model the behaviors you want from your children.
Share reading together.  You read a page/your child reads a page.
You read a sentence.  Your child reads a sentence.  You read a
paragraph.  Your child reads a paragraph.  What ever is successful.
Take your children to the library.
Buy books as gifts.
Inquire about good books and authors.
Volunteer to read at your child's school.
Take it easy with reader's abilities when volunteering or listening
to your child read.  PATIENCE paves the way for rewards.
Stop, drop, everything at home and read.
Phyllis@lcs.k12.wi.us

WOW!

--
Kathy O'Neal
koneal@llohio.wviz.org
K-4 Librarian, Shaker Heights, Ohio City Schools
(216) 751-0749