What's New?
E-zine
Sitemap
Gallery
Contact
About
Advertise
In the News
Resources

Reading Skills

Reading Skills

What reading skills does a child require to move from a beginning reader to a mature, fluent reader?

Reading with a solid phonics based program or method.
Learning single sounds (a-z, teaching the correct phonetic sounds of each letter)
Multiple phonograms (ar, sh, th, ee, ea, or)
In the Australian LEM program, they teach over 70 phonograms.
Develop phonics alongside of handwriting, spelling and reading
Ability to sound out words.
Understanding of dividing words into syllables for reading and spelling.
Using context clues to aid reading.
Read books which progress in difficulty.
To develop vocabulary in a meaningful context.
Differentiate between fact and fiction.
To identify and recall details of character, place, time.
To distinguish the main idea.
To sequence events in order.
Ability to comprehend the passage. Re-tell the passage in own words helps to test comprehension and develop the last five skills.
Enjoy a variety of stories- fact, fiction, myths and legends, fairytales, biographical novels, historical fiction, poetry, plays, - Add your favourite read alouds here.
To predict possible outcomes and events.
To infer story details which the author did not include.
To infer the main idea, theme or moral.
To guess a sequence of what may have happened before or after the story takes place.
To recognize likenesses and differences in characters, times, places, actions.
To understand and discuss motives of characters.
Discuss characters- good and bad qualities, wise and unwise decisions, judge the characters and their actions.
To read widely - personal, silent reading.
To distinguish fact and opinion.
To recognize author’s techniques in developing the writing.
To recognize elements of fiction: Setting, Characters, Conflict, Resolution, Point of View and be able to identify them and discuss them in increasing depth through the years.
To recognize author’s viewpoints and worldview.
To use reading as a research tool.
To find relevant information.
To be able to outline, summarize and précis a reading.
To make personal evaluations on the reading based on the criteria of reality/ fantasy, fact, worth or acceptability.
To respond to literature based on emotions, identification with characters, reactions to language, and the author’s ability to capture the imagination.

Some of the above Reading Skills have been outlined in these books. I have found them both to be both excellent resources.

Reading Strands
By National Writing Institute

This parent's manual for story and book interpretation examines and breaks down every part of reading. In the extensive contents you'll see everything from ways to understand fiction (six units) to examining characters (ten units). For all grade levels. 138 pages, softcover.

Teaching Children
By Diane Lopez / Crossway Books & Bibles

For parents wondering what their child needs to know when, this curriculum guide provides a wonderful, assuring answer. Organized by subject, Teaching Children integrates academics with a biblical foundation and offers a detailed introduction along with ideas for specific skills. Utilizing Charlotte Mason's idea of "living books", this book is excellent for anyone who wants to move away from prepackaged curriculum or merely wants an outside source to validate their plans for the year. 299 pages, softcover.