Special Reader List

It has been a tradition for many years now to have a weekly event called, "Special Readers". This year, it will take place each Thursday morning, right before lunch. Two children will come prepared to read a special book aloud to their classmates. This book should be picked out at home and practiced several times for increased fluency and expression. Shorter, funny picture books are the most popular with audience members, although children have also had success reading joke/riddle books, short mystery stories, poetry, and other types of literature.

Not only does this time give the readers a chance to become better readers, it also gives the rest of the class a chance to practice being good audience members. We are learning to listen with not only our ears, but with our eyes, mouths, and hearts.

This next week, we will hear from two excellent readers, Marann and Marcel. They will set the tone and model excellent reading style - appropriate volume and speed, showing pictures, and reading with expression. Here is the roster for the first go-round:

September 17 - Marann and Marcel
September 24 - Jiajia and Spenser
October 1 - Max and Maya
October 15 - Sena and Sean
October 22 - Andrew and Femi
October 29 - Isaya and Amelie
November 5 - Leland and Marann

Parents, of course, are welcome to be in the audience as well.

Special Reader Sign-Up List

Please mark your calendars!

September 12 - Pearl and Clara
September 19 - Olivia and Eliza
September 26 - Andrew and Claude
October 3 - Mark and Skye
October 9 - Niccolo and Etienne
October 17 - Juliana and Kai
October 24 - Antony and Chloe

Final Special Reader List of the School Year

Please mark your calendars - here is the new roster. It has been such a pleasure to listen to your children read all year!

Andrew and Juliana    March 28
Kai and Eli                April 11

Samantha and Ella    April 18

Leo and Niccolo        April 25

Olivia and Pearl         May 2

Mark and Antony       May 9

Ava and Andrew        May16

Juliana and Kai         May 23

Samantha and Eli      May 30

Leo and Ella             June 6

Special Readers for October

Special Readers has gone very well so far. We've heard from several students thus far, and I know the experience has been positive.

Why is oral reading such a valuable activity?

It enhances fluency. If children are to become fluent readers, they need practice. Preparing to read a story aloud with expression provides students with time and means to recognize words automatically and to read with a high percentage of accuracy.

It strengthens comprehension. When children use techniques for expressive oral reading, their comprehension of what they are reading dramatically increases. By practicing a text, students will become more familiar with its words, sentence patterns and structure - and that leads to discoveries about the meaning.

Other important reading skills are developed as well, like grammar, memory, attention and sequencing. Reading well takes time, focus and attention. Beginning readers become more confident because repeated practice improves their accuracy and word recognition skills.

Lastly, we learn to be an attentive and polite audience.

Remember, if it your child's turn, please help them select an appropriate book. Picture books with humor are usually the ones that get the most appreciative response. Here is the schedule for October. Mark your calendars!

October 4 - Eleanor and Olivia

October 11 - Pearl and Mark

October 18 - Antony and Ava

October 25 - Andrew and Kai

Special Readers

Each Thursday, 2 children come with a book to share with their classmates. This is a great opportunity to practice reading aloud (clearly, loudly, and with expression) as well as being a great audience member (listening with ears, eyes, and heart).

If it is your child’s turn to be a special reader, please help them select an appropriate book. Picture books with humor are always appreciated. I know many children are excited when they are able to read longer chapter books, but I have to say that unless they are short, funny excerpts, it can be difficult to retain the attention of the audience! Have them practice with you at least a couple of times – this will help insure they have a successful and fun time when they are in front of their peers.

Here is the upcoming schedule for the next few weeks – Mark your calendars!

September 13 – Eli and Samantha

September 20 – Ella and Leo

September 27 – Dominic and Niccolo

Special Readers

We continue our routine of "Special Reader Day" each Thursday. Remember, practice is so important - for both the reader's confidence and the audience's enjoyment. Thank you for your continued support of this important tradition - I look forward to this time of week and am continually amazed at the growth of our young readers.

Here's the upcoming schedule - please mark your calendars!

2/17   David, Sophie, Emma
3/3     Vanya, Clementine
3/10   Stanley, Adrian
3/17   Arvid, Oli S.
3/24   Amelia, Quinn
3/31   Sydney, Ariana
4/14   Maddy, Owen
4/21   Oliver G., David
4/28   Sophie, Emma

Special Readers Update

Here is the list of special readers from now until Mid-Winter Break:

January 6 – Clementine and Stanley

January 13 - Adrian and Arvid

January 20  - Oliver S and Amelia

January 27 – Quinn and Sydney

February 3 – Ariana and Maddy

February 10 – Owen and Oliver G

February 17 – David, Sophie and Emma