We hope you and your family are staying safe during the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). By now, you may have the beginnings of a homeschool routine at home. If your routine includes reading, consider incorporating the following techniques to help your child retain and synthesize information:
Underline.
I always give my students a pencil to underline phrases and words in a book. I ask them to underline any word or phrase they are drawn to or don’t understand. We discuss the underlined portions as they move along. If your child is reading a library book or cannot write in the book itself, encourage them to read with a notepad nearby. Even the option to write something down can inspire a closer reading of the text.
Take breaks to draw.
Drawing is both a relaxing and reflective activity. Ask your child to pause in the middle of the book to draw their favorite character or scene. Once they complete the illustration, ask them to show you the pages that inspired them. Discuss the textual details together.
Make predictions.
Using the jacket text or the first few pages, ask your child to predict what will happen. They may revise their predictions as they learn more, and wondering if they are correct or not can motivate them to keep reading!
Assign an old-fashioned book report.
Many of us remember completing book reports in school ourselves. When your child finishes a book, ask them to write a report for others who have not read the book. There are many formats to choose from, but one I like includes a paragraph or two of summary, followed by the student’s reasons why they recommend or do not recommend the book.
For more fun, add a creative element, such as an illustration or homemade book jacket. Your child may also like to publish their review online on a website such as Goodreads.
At Academics Plus, we believe in personalized education that helps your child become a confident, life-long learner. Click here to book a virtual homeschooling package today or call us at 404-816-0708 to talk through a learning plan for your child.