At the beginning of second grade, most students are still learning to read. Reading instruction in our classroom will be guided be our reading series published by Houghton Mifflin. In addition to daily use of our reading series, I will be pulling additional lessons and activities from outside resources. Listed below are the major reading standards we will cover throughout the year.

 

Reading Standards

·  Phonemic Awareness - identify and manipulate the sounds of speech

 

·  Phonics - decode words using knowledge of syllabication, phonics and word parts

 

·  Vocabulary - acquire and use new vocabulary in relevant texts

 

·  Fluency -  reading words at a steady rate of speed

 

·  Comprehension strategies - employ strategies to understand text

 

·  Elements of literature - naming and applying knowledge of the elements of literature (plot, character traits, sequencing, cause and effect, fiction vs. non-fiction)

 

·  Historical and cultural aspects of literature - comparing stories to a students own background and culture

 

·  Expository text - reading to find information

 

·  Functional Text - reading to follow directions

 

To read more in-depth about these standards you can visit the Arizona Department of Education Online.

 

 

What can I do as a parent to help my child read successfully?

Read, read, read! We all have busy lives and priorities but it is important to make time for reading at home.  Not only is this important to your child’s reading success, it’s a great bonding time for the both of you! Does your son or daughter have a favorite story? Rereading the same story over again is  perfectly fine! Any exposure to reading whether it is you reading to your child, your child reading to you or simply listening to a book on tape or I-Pod (Yes, they do this now!) is helping your child build necessary skills for becoming a strong reader. Remember, kids take their cues from adults, if you make reading time important, your child will too!