Week 2: Getting Kids Interested in Reading

Activity 3

If your kiddo is like mine, then getting them to sit down and read for any duration of time can be a struggle. My son Biggie, has received speech and language services since he was 18 months old and the biggest contributor to his drastic improvement was that we read. We read A LOT. Many days it is a struggle but I put my mommy hat on and make him sit. Getting started is the hardest part. How did I get Biggie interested in reading? The most influential tactic was mommy time. Biggie loves me so much and loves my attention. Getting a few minutes of my time all to himself makes a big difference. Some other tricks of the trade include using technology, such as NOOK, iPad, or Kindle. Having a reading corner or special meeting place sets the tone and makes the time spent together extra special. I also allow Biggie to read things of interest to him so we signed him up for Free LEGO Magazine. Lastly, we never use reading as a punishment. Reading should be a fun, rewarding experience and not something that our kiddos learn to dread (more than many already do). Questions to Ask Before Reading:

Looking at the title, cover and illustrations/pictures, what do you think will happen in this book?
What makes you think that?
What characters do you think might be in the book?
Do you think there will be problem in the story? Why?
What do you already know about the topic of this book?
Does the topic or story relate to you or your family? How?
Do you think it will be like any other book you’ve read? If so, which one, and how do you think it will be similar?

Questions to Ask While Reading:

What has happened so far in the story? Can you tell me using sequence words? (first, then, next, after, finally, etc.)
What do you predict will happen next?
How do you think the story will end?
Why do you think the character did ____________?
What would you have done if you were the character?
How would you have felt if you were the character?
When you read, what pictures did you see in your head? How did you imagine it looked like?
What are you wondering about as you read? What questions do you have?
Think about the predictions you made before reading; do you still think the story will go that way? Why or why not? How do you think it will go now?

Questions to Ask After Reading:

Why is the title a good title for the book/story? If you had to give it a different title, what would be another good title for it?
Were your predictions correct? Where did you have to fix your prediction as you read?
If there was a problem, did it get solved? How did the character try to solve the problem?
What happened because of the problem?
Did any of the characters change through the story? Who changed, and how did they change?
Why do you think the author wrote this?
What is the most important point that the author is trying to make in his/her writing?
What was your favorite part? Why?
If you could change one part, what would you change?
If you could ask the author a question, what would you ask?
Can you retell the story in sequence order (use your fingers and sequence words: first, second, then, next, etc.)
Is there a character in the story that reminds you of someone you know? If so, who are they like, and why do you think that?
Does this book remind you of another book you know? Does it remind you of something you’ve experienced in real