Developing reading fluency is a very important skill to help build stronger oral and silent reading abilities. This begins with
preprimer books that often feature decodable words, based on similar spelling/pronounciation patterns (cat, hat,
mat bat, etc...). Later students read simple stories like Frog and Toad are Friends as this child is doing
here. The young student can develop confidence and basic voice inflection by reading for parents, siblings, or
grandparents at home.
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Reading with a child in the formative years can really help a child read and speak more
confidently in front of peers at various grade levels, and will also help young adults become better public speakers
and leaders in school and clubs. Books like Junie B Jones stories can be of high interest to students in second
and third grade. There is a controlled lexile (level of vocabulary) appropriate for readers of this age, and
the fact that these stories make up parts of a series makes it likely that children will independently choose
to read additional selections, and then move on to others like Beverly Cleary or Boxcar Children.
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Look for children's books with the Newberry Medalª or Caldecott Medalª on their
covers. These seals indicate that the book was choosen as best children's book of the year, or the children's
book with the best illustrations. Also, check web sites like Children's Books Guide.com
for lists of outstanding, or popular, children's books. You can also ask your children's librarian, your
child's teacher, or parents of your child's peers for recommendations.
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Reading fluency can lead to comfort with reading throughout the elementary
grades through middle school. Remember to stay involved with your child's reading through middle and high school. Rather than
having your young adult child read aloud to you, try to read the same book at the same time (not necessarily with
your child), and engage your child as a peer in discussing the themes of the story, and how they relate to events in their
lives today. Show your child that you value reading as a way to learn, and also as an enjoyable pasttime.
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