"This book will prove a valuable resource for parents, teachers, and librarians on the vital topic of reading aloud." Library Journal, Starred Review Parents and teachers know that reading aloud to children is important, and many parents of infants and toddlers read aloud to them daily. However, when children start to read on their own, parents often stop reading aloud. But these early elementary school years are actually a perfect time to build vocabulary and comprehension skills through reading aloud and Active Reading. Raising an Active Reader makes clear the process of learning to read, how Active Reading fits into raising strong readers, and what adults can do to encourage strong language, comprehension, and vocabulary in children in grades K-3. This book extends on the ABCs of Active Reading (Ask Questions, Build Vocabulary, and make Connections) as they apply to older children for picture books, chapter books, and novels. It provides parents and teachers with examples, clear explanations, and ideas for making one-on-one or small group read aloud sessions a powerful way to build children's early literacy and language skills, all while creating a lifelong love of reading.
Samantha Cleaver, PhD, studied read aloud and developed Active Reading during her work with Read Charlotte, a community-wide initiative to double the number of students reading on grade level by 3rd grade in Mecklenburg County, NC. She holds a doctorate in special education with a focus on literacy interventions from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Table of Contents Acknowledgments Introduction Active Reading: Preparing Your Child for Reading Success What is Active Reading? The Case for Read Aloud when Kids can Read on Their Own Ready to Read with Me More Chapter 1: Keep Reading with Me Active Reading in the Early Elementary Years Elementary School-Aged Children Learn (A Lot) from Picture Books Active Reading: Evidence-Based Bedtime Reading Raising Active Readers ABCs of Active Reading with Elementary Schoolers A: Ask Questions B: Build Vocabulary C: Make Connections Keep Reading with Me What to Remember Chapter 2: I Can Read on my Own! What is Reading? Reading and your Elementary-Schooler The Big 5: What it Takes to Read Phonemic Awareness Phonics Fluency Vocabulary Comprehension Language: The Foundation for Reading Active Reading and the Home-School Connection How do Parents Contribute to Reading Success? More Ways to Help Your Child with Reading at Home Let's Read! What to Remember Chapter 3: Books, Books, Books: Building a Library for a Growing Reader Active Reading Wide and Deep Your Child's Reading "Diet" Illustrated Chapter Books Myths, Fairy Tales, and Folk Tales Your Favorites Your Child's Perfect Fit Poetry Nonfiction Books that are Beyond Their Years The Latest, Greatest Books Windows and Mirrors: Cultivating Diversity and Empathy through Books Books as Windows Books as Mirrors Books They Read On Their Own Leveled Readers My First Chapter Books Tree Books vs. E-Books Books Matter What to Remember Chapter 4: Ask Questions The Importance of Conversation Why do we Ask Questions? Asking Questions about Stories Story Questions Using Questions to Help Children Understand Difficult Texts 1. What Does the Text Say? 2. How Does the Text Work? 3. What Does the Text Mean? 4. What Does the Text Inspire You to Do? Thinking Critically about Stories How do Children Develop Critical Thinking? How to Raise a Critical Thinker Get Kids to Ask Questions Tell Me More What to Remember Chapter 5: Build Vocabulary Vocabulary is Important, Imperative, and Significant How Children Learn Words Finding Words: The Power of Books Rare Words Academic Words Understanding Phrases Choosing Words during Active Reading Building Your Child's Vocabulary through Active Reading Becoming Word Learners: Developing Word Consciousness Words, Words, Words What to Remember Chapter 6: Make Connections to the Child's World: Fiction Making Inferences: Connecting Old and New Information Cause-and-Effect Inferences Relationship Inferences How Do You Know? Helping Children Make Inferences Making Predictions Remember to Circle Back What if My Child's Prediction Makes No Sense? Connecting with Stories to Learn about the World Using Fiction to Help Children Connect to Tough Topics Connect to Your Child's World Chapter 7:Making Connections to Nonfiction Text Nonfiction and 3rd Grade Reading The Challenge of Reading Nonfiction Background Knowledge Text Structure Academic Vocabulary Background Knowledge: The Backbone for Understanding Nonfiction Build Background Knowledge: Read Wide and Deep How to Encourage Wide and Deep Reading Talk about Nonfiction Book Structure Text Features Applying the ABCs of Active Reading to Nonfiction Getting Started: Book Walks Ask Questions about Nonfiction Before Reading During Reading After Reading Building Vocabulary with Nonfiction Make Connections to Nonfiction Connect with Nonfiction Text What to Remember Chapter 8: Active Reading with Chapter Books and Novels What Makes Chapter Books and Novels Special? Choosing Chapter Books and Novels to Read Together Choosing Chapter Books for Your Child to Read On Their Own The ABCs of Active Reading Chapter Books and Novels Ask Questions Story Grammar Questions Visualizing What We Read Build Vocabulary Make Connections Make Connections with Background Knowledge Make Connections From Scene to Scene Make Connections with Characters, Events, and Feelings Raising a Novel Reader Active Reading with Longer Stories What to Remember Chapter 9: Active Reading and the Struggling Reader How Kids Struggle with Reading Word Reading Fluency Comprehension What Kids Who Struggle with Reading Need in Grades K-2 Perfect Practice Build Stamina When Children Struggle to Make Inferences Model How to Visualize Reread Important Sections Work at the Sentence Level Build a Bridge Use Wordless Picture Books Active Reading with Struggling Readers More Ways to Support a Child Who Struggles with Reading Raising Active Readers What to Remember Chapter 10: Raising an Active Reader Active Readers beyond 3rd Grade Keep Your Child Reading Taking the ABCs of Active Reading beyond Books Ask Questions Build Vocabulary Make Connections Develop Your Child's Interests and Passions Keeping Read Aloud Alive in Your Family Appendix A: Book Lists Appendix B: Frequently Asked Questions References About the Author
Cleaver asserts that many parents stop reading aloud to their kids when the children start reading on their own. However, the elementary years prove one of the most beneficial times for reading aloud since vocabulary and comprehension skills are developed through Active Reading and reading aloud. The ABCs of active reading (ask questions, build vocabulary, and make connections) are here applied to these crucial years in skill development. To engage learners there are lists of questions for before, during, and after reading. In addition, the author shares how to practice active reading skills in various genres: nonfiction, fiction, first chapter books, and picture books. A special section explores how to help struggling readers by using such techniques as modeling how to visualize, using wordless picture books, keeping realistic goals, and celebrating strengths. The appendixes contain book lists organized by category and answers to frequently asked questions. This book will prove a valuable resource for parents, teachers, and librarians on the vital topic of reading aloud. With many titles geared toward reading aloud to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, this helpful work will be ideal for school libraries. * Library Journal, Starred Review * This book is an easy read for parents and teachers who want to inspire children to love to read. Samantha Cleaver shares the simple ABC steps of Active Reading, and addresses how to keep reading pleasurable, how to decide what to read, and how to help children become critical thinkers as they read more. All parents and teachers will be inspired by this book. -- Ellen McIntyre, dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee, and former dean of the College of Education at University of North Carolina at Charlotte This is the book I wish we had when our children were in elementary school! It not only explains how kids learn to read but also what parents can do at home to help build vital reading skills-vocabulary and comprehension-through Active Reading. This book will quickly become your go-to guide to turn every bedtime or any reading session into a fun, engaging, and impactful time. -- Munro Richardson, executive director of Read Charlotte
