Reading for All Learners: "I See Sam" Books

About the books:

In the front inside flap you will see the "New Word" list. As each book comes home, make several cards using the word lists. Keep the cards (index cards work great, but you can just make them out of paper about 3X5 size), in a bag. As your child collects the new words, he/she can use the cards to make sentences by laying them out on the table or floor and reading the sentence created. Later, your child can begin to write the sentences he/she creates.

The words can also be used for "beginning spelling tests." Or, you can play a game like this one.... "I am thinking of one of your words. It is spelled l...i...k (let your child fill in the part of the word he/she knows !) ... e ! The word is like!

Also in the front you will find a paragraph telling what the story is about.

On the back cover of the book you will find some questions to ask your child as he/she reads. Comprehension, understanding the story, is very important when beginning to read.

When your child brings home a new book, begin by looking at all the pictures through the book. Make predictions about the book, what will the story be about.... what is happening to the characters and who are the characters.... what setting (place, inside/outside?) is the story written in .... Sometimes kids get caught up "reading the pictures" not the words because their eye is drawn to the pictures first. Looking at them first gets your child ready to look at the words when it is time to read.

Talk about the other symbols we see when we read: " " , ? . ! Read with enthusiasm!

GIVE LOTS OF PRAISE !!!!! Learning to read is hard work, it takes us all working together as a team.

If your child struggles (this is normal) with not looking at all the letters, guessing "Sam" when the word is "see," write the word on paper. Cut the word apart. Put the word back together noticing that the words have different letters in them. Sometimes "new reading eyes" don't see the differences until they are cut apart.

When your child has read the book, and you believe he/she is ready for a new book, sign on the gold book paper and return the book.