We have been working on selecting “Just right” books and what it means to be a “just right” book in class. Help your child choose books he/she can read and wants to read, what we call “just right” books. This means that your child:

• Is interested in the book.
• Can read and figure out almost all of the words.
• Understands what he or she is reading (can tell you what the story is about or what he or she is learning).
• Can read fairly smoothly. If your child is stumbling over many words, he/she will not be able to focus on reading for understand.

In helping your child select a “just right” book, try using the “five-finger rule”. As your child reads, have him or her count on one hand any unknown words. If there are five or more different unknown words on a full page, this book may be too hard for your child to read alone. Although it may be a wonderful book for you to read together or read aloud to your child.

Talk with your child about what he or she may be reading, but remember to keep the conversation informal and relaxed. Be a reading model for your child; try to set aside time during which the whole family may read together. Try to designate an area for your child to keep their books; this may be a bookshelf in their room or the home library or office.