Tools For Parents

Accuracy

Accuracy refers to a student's ability to read words without errors. A sudent who reads with accuracy generally demonstrates these skills:

• Sounds out words
• Looks at the picture and says the beginning sound of the word
• Breaks the word into parts
• Looks for familiar parts of the word
• Blends the letter sounds
• Skips the word and comes back to it
• Asks someone for assistance

Fluency

A student reads fluently when his/her reading voice sounds like talking. Fluency is a combination of speed and accuracy. It comes with an increasing ability to identify words automatically. Fluency improves with practice and is measured by errors made during a timed reading session.

Comprehension

Students read with comprehension when they can understand the intended meaning of the text. Tests of comprehension become one of the primary sub-tests of reading ability by second grade. Students skills involve the following:

• Use of memory and vocabulary
• Knowledge about a topic
• Knowledge of how sentences are put together
• Knowledge of how to extract meaning from a sentence
• Use of decoding skills

More tips for parents

Each morning make sure your child is:

• Well rested
• Fed a good breakfast
• Properly dressed for climate and activity
• On time (not rushed or frazzled)

Each evening do the following with your child:

• Talk about school day (lessons and experience)
• Check homework
• Read papers from school
• Read aloud/with for 20 minutes