Here are a few tips and tools to help you make the most of each reading and mentoring session:
- Take a few minutes to chat and connect with your student:
- Talk about your hobbies or job, and what you like to read.
- Ask your student to tell you about their day. For example, “What was the best part?”, “What did you learn?”, or “Whom did you play with?”
- More questions—and tips to keep the conversation going—are here.
- Take a “book walk” before you read a book with your student. Talking about the pictures before you read will help your student get in the mindset for reading and be more engaged. And, book walks serve as a preview for important concepts and vocabulary.
- Encourage your student to read for 15 minutes outside of school every day, especially if he or she is part of the Read for 15 program.
- If your student is struggling with reading, remember that reading to your student is very beneficial. Watch our one-minute video on working with emerging readers to get more tips.
- If your student is having challenges focusing, watch our one-minute video on engaging your student for some great tips.
- Practice sight words. Watch this one-minute video on sight words to learn more.
- Practice reading fluency. Reading fluency is the ability to read accurately, quickly and with expression. Watch our one-minute video on reading fluency.
Jim Trelease, author of “The Read-Aloud Handbook”, says, “Students who read the most, read the best, achieve the most, and stay in school the longest.”
Thank you to all our Reading Mentors for your dedication to our students! Please contact your Site Coordinator with any questions or feedback.