Dear Parents-
As the school year comes to and end and
the summer approaches, many of you may be
wondering what you are going to do with all this
additional time with your children. The one thing
we suggest is to make a reading plan and stick to
it! As we reiterate in many of our communications,
reading to your child is the MOST important thing
you can do to help your child develop a love of
reading. According to The High/Scope Educational
Research Foundation (Preschool Readers and Writers
by Linda Weikel Ranweiler), reading to children
addresses all eight dimensions of literacy
learning (bolded below):
1. When we read with enjoyment to
children, we demonstrate the power and pleasure
of literacy.
2. Books that children listen to (as well
as look at) are a prominent part of the
literate environment.
3. Reading aloud enhances children's
language development through the
introduction of new words, concepts and language
structures.
4. Reading aloud builds children's
knowledge and comprehension of the world.
5. When children are read to regularly,
their knowledge of print is enhanced.
6. When we read a variety of books, not
just storybooks, children learn about the many
different types of text.
7. Children's phonological
awareness is increased when we read aloud to
them and talk to them about the sounds in words.
8. Reading aloud supports children's
developing interest in and knowledge of letters
and words.
To help you get ready for a summer of
reading we are hosting a Scholastic Book Fair
April 19-23 in hopes that you will stock up on
books to share with your child. There will be lots
of wonderful choices for your child, along with
teacher's requests for their classrooms and even
some books for Moms and Dads. Don't miss
it!
Order your begonias by
Sunday, March 28th. All
flats are $20 each and come in
white, red, or pink (18 premium, 4"
plants/flat).
