Dear families,
References:
If you are reading this letter
that means you are getting
ready to embark on a
wonderful journey with your
child… the journey of
becoming a lifelong reader!
There is no better
combination than to be both a
lifelong reader and learner…
with these skills your child
can achieve the impossible!
Reading is a way to explore
new places, discover new
things, and meet new
people… experiencing so
much more than you could
ever imagine. I am so excited
to start on this journey with
your families and to share
with you the many joys that
come with reading. Please
take a look at the information
I have provided, and please
don't hesitate to contact me if
you have any questions or
concerns.
Sincerely,
Ms. Sparkman
Billmeyer, R. (n.d.). Reading Aloud.
Retrieved September 26, 2015, from
http://www.education.ne.gov/read/R
eadingAloudBrochure.pdf
Reading Aloud: RIF Parent Guide
Brochure. (n.d.). Retrieved
September 26, 2015.
Reading aloud: Services to Schools.
(n.d.). Retrieved September 26,
2015, from
http://schools.natlib.govt.nz/creating
How to support your
-readers/creating-readers-
strategies/reading-aloud child on their journey
to becoming a lifelong
Trelease, J. (1982). The read-aloud reader.
handbook (7th ed.). Harmondsworth,
Middlesex, England: Penguin
Books.
š› š›
Ms. Paige Sparkman Ms. Sparkman
Counselor
School Counselor
Maire Elementary School š›
 Why is it important to read-aloud?
What is Read- aloud? Read- aloud is the practice of
reading out loud with your child to help them become
lifelong readers. It is used to demonstrate a love for
reading and to practice fluency and pronunciation. As a
parent, reading- aloud to your child is one of the most
important things you can do for their growth and
development. It is our job to make children fall in love
with reading, and there is no greater way to do that then
by reading with your child.
The benefits of reading with your child are endless.
On top of starting a great tradition with your child,
you will also be…
• Strengthening their speaking, listening,
writing, and reading comprehension skills
• Increasing their vocabularies
• Helping them enhance their imagination
and creative thinking skills
• Expanding their general knowledge and
understanding of the world
• Teaching them proper grammar
• Helping them succeed in school and in
life
• Motivating them to become
independent readers in the future.
• Boys who were read to by their fathers
or a positive male figure scored
significantly higher in reading
achievement
Helpful Tips:
• Your enthusiasm will be
contagious!
Book Recommendations • Give books as gifts
• Terrific by Jon Agee • It is okay to say goodbye to
a book that you and your
• Elephants Can Paint, too! By Katya Arnold
child aren't enjoying
• Ivy and Bean Series by Annie Barrows
• Start slowly & build
• Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein gradually…don't rush it!
• Grandpa's Teeth by Rod Clement • Keep reading throughout
school year and summer
• Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope
Osborne
months
• Stick with paper rather than
• Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel
digital
• A Friend For Dragon by Dav Pilkey
• Lead by example
• Stuart goes to school by Sara Pennypacker • Take your children to the
• Clementine by Sara Pennypacker library!
• Baseball Saved us by Ken Mochizuki • Ask & answer questions
• Replace some TV time with
• Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A worldwide
Cinderella by Paul Fleischman
Reading… but not as
punishment!
• Wangari's Trees Of Peace by Jeanette Winter
• Be encouraging
• John Henry by Julius Lester • Establish a routine
• It's never too early, or too
late.
• Get a book shelf for your
child