Establishing a Solid Routine

I'm currently getting back into a workout routine and, wow, it's not easy! It's a daily struggle but once it's done I have the satisfaction of saying I accomplished my goal. From past experience I know that once this habit is established it will no longer be difficult. It will be a part of my daily routine. With a small amount of initial discipline, I'm learning I can create a new habit and make it stick. Here's some good advice I recently read about creating a new habit:

1. Commit to Thirty Days – Three to four weeks is all the time you need to make a habit automatic. If you can make it through the initial conditioning phase, it becomes much easier to sustain. A month is a solid block of time to commit to a change.
2. Make it Daily – Consistency is critical if you want to make a habit stick. If you want to start exercising, go to the gym every day for your first thirty days. Going a couple times a week will make it harder to form the habit. Activities you do once every few days are trickier to lock in as habits, so make it a daily activity.

This strategy also applies to developing the habit of proficient reading....consistency is critical! May I encourage you and your child to take the 30 day challenge in regards to reading habits? Make reading together a daily activity. At the end of the 30 day challenge, I'm sure you'll both be glad you did it! Your child will be on the road to being a proficient reader and you will have the satisfaction of bolstering your child's literacy efficiency. Keep up the good work, dear families!

Paired Reading

Most second graders have moved through the beginning stages of
reading and are now working on reading smoothly and focusing on
meaning. I'd like to recommend 'paired reading' as a powerful
motivator to boost your child's literacy growth.

"Paired Reading" is a practice strategy that helps children improve
their reading skills. It combines two powerful techniques:
*the tutor and the child read aloud together
*the tutor lets the child read independently while providing
encouragement and supportive coaching.

1.) Start out by agreeing on a set time each day to read
together for about 10 to 15 minutes.

2.)Begin each session by reading an 'old favorite' followed by a new read.
(A trip to the local library will help you to stock up on
early reader chapter books that your child helps select.)

3.)Use a starting signal(i.e.-shoulder tap)
for"together reading",where you both read the text aloud.
You will have to adjust your speed while modeling natural flow.

4.) If your child hesitates or misses a word just give
the correct pronunciation and the definition,instead of sounding out.

5.) Your child may 'shoulder tap' you at anytime to signal the desire to read independently. A second tap would signal adding your voice in choral reading once again.As the tutor,your job is that of a cheerleader,making positive comments and offering support as needed.

6.) When finished,have a simple, relaxed conversation
about what has been read.Then add the newly enjoyed book to your
child's collection of old favorites.

If this type of program is used in your home everyday
for the next 6 weeks I think you will see awesome results!