It's no secret that this blog is our record of life events and the love we share. I keep no diary, so this is it. I hope our kids will look back someday and read about all the amazing things they experienced, adventures we shared and the immeasurable amount of pride, we as they parents, feel on a daily basis. So, without further ado, is my pride filled post about Claire's reading success.
She entered kindergarten on level A, which is knowing all letters, sounds they make and beginning to put words together. She is a stubborn little child. When Chris and I would work with her, she'd get frustrated and give up. We didn't push the issue, knowing that she'd get it when she was ready. Get it, she did. She moved up through the ranks until she was at a level D around Thanksgiving (1st grade level). I raised question to this as I felt this was a lower estimate of her skills. I was suspecting maybe a level E. I am not a reading teacher, but have a general understanding of the curriculum and know quite a bit about the skill sequence. Anyway, the school has an online program for parents to help support at home. Claire loves to work on the computer before or after school while I am getting ready for the day. She whizzed right through her level D stories, reading with perfection 1 time through, which is what caused me slight concern. I want her to feel the success, but also experience a slight challenge so her skills consistently improve. Her teacher assured me she was at a level D. Sure. Not two weeks later, I got an email from her teacher stating that Claire was now at a level F. Hmmm. 2 levels in less than 2 weeks. Not to pat my own back, but I think I was pretty much spot on. Here we are in January and Claire was tested again. Guess where she is???? LEVEL I! Level I, my dear friends is a 2nd Grade reading level!
We don't push her at home. She does no "homework." It is all self directed. If she wants to read to us, we let her. She and Mya read in their beds 20 minutes or so before bed. Chris and I lay in our beds, listening to the words from each page roll off her tongue and Mya's attempt to tell her own story.
Claire has a strong desire to read chapter books. Jessica and Nate bought her 3 big books filled with multiple stories. She's whipped right through the two of them and has now developed a love for "The Magic Treehouse" books. I am simply proud that she has developed the love for reading and pushed through her frustration with hard work to become a fabulous reader.
She entered kindergarten on level A, which is knowing all letters, sounds they make and beginning to put words together. She is a stubborn little child. When Chris and I would work with her, she'd get frustrated and give up. We didn't push the issue, knowing that she'd get it when she was ready. Get it, she did. She moved up through the ranks until she was at a level D around Thanksgiving (1st grade level). I raised question to this as I felt this was a lower estimate of her skills. I was suspecting maybe a level E. I am not a reading teacher, but have a general understanding of the curriculum and know quite a bit about the skill sequence. Anyway, the school has an online program for parents to help support at home. Claire loves to work on the computer before or after school while I am getting ready for the day. She whizzed right through her level D stories, reading with perfection 1 time through, which is what caused me slight concern. I want her to feel the success, but also experience a slight challenge so her skills consistently improve. Her teacher assured me she was at a level D. Sure. Not two weeks later, I got an email from her teacher stating that Claire was now at a level F. Hmmm. 2 levels in less than 2 weeks. Not to pat my own back, but I think I was pretty much spot on. Here we are in January and Claire was tested again. Guess where she is???? LEVEL I! Level I, my dear friends is a 2nd Grade reading level!
We don't push her at home. She does no "homework." It is all self directed. If she wants to read to us, we let her. She and Mya read in their beds 20 minutes or so before bed. Chris and I lay in our beds, listening to the words from each page roll off her tongue and Mya's attempt to tell her own story.
Claire has a strong desire to read chapter books. Jessica and Nate bought her 3 big books filled with multiple stories. She's whipped right through the two of them and has now developed a love for "The Magic Treehouse" books. I am simply proud that she has developed the love for reading and pushed through her frustration with hard work to become a fabulous reader.
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Love ya, J