Middle School Book Resources
Don’t forget to check out Central’s CLC Fun & Interesting SItes for book recommendations that are just right for your middle schooler. Included in the list are the Rebecca Caudill winners which are voted on by 4th through 8th graders throughout Illinois. Scroll to the bottom of the Book Recommendations page for more links to websites that can help you find more great book choices.
http://www.glencoecentral.org/central/fun-and-interesting-sites
2017 Children’s, Teacher’s, & Young Adult’s Choices Reading List
When it comes to engaging your child with reading, we know the importance of choice. We know that when children can select the books they want to read, with topics in which they are truly interested, they are more likely not only to read them, but also to understand and to reflect upon them. With that in mind, we are delighted to bring to you the 2017 Choices Reading Lists—Children’s Choices, Teachers’ Choices, and Young Adults’ Choices. These highly anticipated lists come just in time, whether you’re looking to squeeze in some summer reading with your children, or to build up your... More
Reading Fluency and Ways to Help Your Child at Home- K-5
As your child progresses through the grade levels you will hear a lot about your child’s reading fluency development from their classroom teacher. Click the link below for information about Reading Fluency and ways to help your child at home.
Fluency FAQs
Phonemic Awareness
Phonological awareness means being able to hear the sounds that make up a word. Children who have developed phonological awareness are able to recognize words that are similar, including words that rhyme like “cat” and “hat” and words that start with the same sound like “cat” and “car.” They are also able to recognize when words are different from “top” and “cow.” Children who have developed phonological awareness usually have an easier time learning to read.
Chicken Coop (K-3)
Match the beginning sound using picture clues
Human Body Sounds (K-3)
Say the sound provided at the beginning of a word.
Phoneme Pop (K-3)
“Catch” the letter that makes the provided sound.
Learning the Alphabet
The alphabetic principle is the idea that words are made up of letters that represent sounds. When children develop an understanding of the this principle, they recognize that the letters they see in printed words are related to the sounds they hear when they say the word out loud. This helps children that the relationship between letters and sounds can be used to help them read new words.
ABC Game (K-3)
Click on a letter box to hear the letter name and sound.
Which Letter is…....? (K-3)
Choose the correct letter.
Decoding
Decoding means being able to recognize and analyze a printed word to connect it to the spoken word it represents. These skills include the ability to recognize the basic sounds and sound blends that make up a word.
Learn to Read
A variety of games requesting children to match words with pictures. Targets numerous decoding skills.
Numerous stories are orally read highlighting introduced sound. (K-4)
http://www.roythezebra.com/reading-games-word-level.html
The interactive reading games are ideal for developing the reading skills of children. (Grades K-2)
http://www.abcya.com/spelling_with_vowels.htm
Coconut Vowels in an educational computer activity that provides spelling practice with vowels. Coconuts with words in them fall to the beach. The student... More
Early Stages of Reading Development Survey
Take this quick survey to determine your child’s current stage of reading development. This is a useful tool for identifying reading areas to develop with your child at home.
3-reading_survey.pdf
Parent Guide to Phonics Rules
Brush up on your phonics rules and help your child with their decoding and spelling skills. Click the link for learning more about phonics.
Phonics_rules.pdf
What Should I Do With the Little Books My Child Brings Home K-2
Are you looking for some fun ways to help your child develop their reading skills using simple leveled books?
Before reading the book- The Picture Walk:
Going on a simple picture walk with your child, before reading the book can stimulate their natural curiosity and spark an interest in the story. By taking a picture walk with your child you are activating their prior knowledge of the book’s topic, discussing new vocabulary words that may be difficult for them to read and basic story structure. Taking a picture walk is as simple as flipping through the book, page by page, without reading any of the words. ... More
Choosing Books for Independent Reading Grades 5-8
Students in grades 5-8 are administered the Star Reading Assessment two times during the school year- September and February. One of the purposes of the assessment is to identify your child’s Lexile level. A Lexile score is like a thermometer, except rather than measuring temperature, the Lexile Framework measures a text’s complexity and a reader’s skill level. Books can be found within your child’s lexile range at Lexile.com. Ask your child’s reading teacher for more details about your child’s lexile.
Understanding Your Teen as a Middle School Reader
The following links discuss many reading topics a parent of a middle schooler may encounter:
7th and 8th Grade Reading: What to Expect
Get Your Preteen Out of a Reading Rut
Book Therapy: A Middle School Reading List
What Makes Children Read Independently
Help build a great home library for your child. Click the link and then hit the “Get Started” tab to learn how. Build the Best Home Library for Your ChildThe Importance of an at Home Library
Retell Bedtime Stories and Boost Your Child’s Comprehension
Tips For Reading With Your Child at Home-Grades K-8
Reading with parents and family members at home is one of the most important parts of a child’s literacy development. Even as your child grows older and becomes more independent, reading together at home can continue to be an engaging and meaningful experience. For specific tips on reading with your child at home throughout grades K-8, click on the link below. Tips_for_Reading_with_Your_Child_at_Home.pdf
Have you Heard About the Summer Reading Slide?
Read the article Keeping Kids Off the Summer Slide from education.com, to find out how you can help your child this summer.
Keeping Kids Off the Summer Slide
Finding Leveled Books at the Glencoe Public Library Grades K-2
Did you know that the Glencoe Public Library has EARLY READERS color coded to help your child find books at their independent reading level?
GREEN DOTS- Are for beginning readers that need help with reading. Level Range- A-C
RED DOTS- Are for independent readers that still need some support. Level Range- D-F
BLUE DOTS- Are for independent readers that can read silently on their own. Level Range- G-I
YELLOW DOTS- Are for students reading early chapter books. Level Range- J- M
**Watch this short video on how to help your child use the 5 Finger Rule for selecting books at his/her independent reading level.
Finding... More
Leveled Reading Book Lists K-4
During the summer it is important to provide your child access to high interest books at his/her independent reading level. Included below are links to books at independent reading levels C to Z. Many of these books are at the public library or the bookstore. Please check with their classroom teacher if you do not know your child’s independent reading level.
Leveled Book List- C to I
Leveled Book List- H to M
Leveled Book List- L to P
Leveled Book List- O to T
Leveled Book List- S to W
Leveled Book List- V to Z
Themed Books and Activities for Summer Reading and Learning
Motivate your child to read this summer by choosing books and activities based on their personal interests. For students in grades K-2.
... More