Dear at-home-teachers,
We are beginning our at-home-reading routine! I used to call this “borrow-a-book”, however, we have all grown accustomed to doing so much online, and last year at-home-reading in French became one of those things. We will be using the French RAZ-Kids books for our leveled reading this year. These are available online using your student’s account information (see yellow note, sent home). I have introduced this site to students at school and shown them some of the fun features, including building their own avatar, recording themselves and the highlighting tool. Having said this, I recognize that it may be beneficial, and more enjoyable, to have paper books in hand. Please email me if you would like me to send home a package of books for each level. I would be happy to do so. We are grateful for your support in managing the routine and hope it is fun for both you and your child.
How it works:
Students will receive a list of books for each level, beginning with AA. Work on reading these books at home, using the suggestions below, until you feel your child has “mastered” each one. This means they can read the book fluently and independently. As your reader masters the books, initial beside them on the list. When the entire level has been mastered, send the list and any paper books back to school. I will congratulate them with a certificate and provide the next list of books.
Reading tips:
I suggest 5-10 minutes a day to begin. You can adjust the length of time as your child grows as a reader, or as you settle into a routine.
Try to do it everyday! Sometimes your child won’t want to, and sometimes you won’t want to. Sometimes you will be very busy and it just won’t be possible. That’s okay. Try your best to be consistent with the time of day and treat it with the same importance that you might treat homework for an older student.
Some readers may master the first level, or others, quickly. For many readers, each book may take many repetitions to “master”. It’s not a race. Take your time. Re-reading books that are starting to feel easy is a great thing to do.
But I don’t speak French! Neither did my parents. You can still talk about the pictures together, look for specific letters, the words of the week and discuss what is happening in the book. Likely you’ll be able to learn along with your child, at least for the first couple years!
Use the highlighting tool, or coloured pencils, to circle specific letters or underline words that repeat. Students are welcome to colour the pictures in the paper books using wax or pencil crayons.
Keep it fun by recording your child reading aloud and letting them listen to themselves. Read to grandma on the phone or your stuffed animal “students”.
You can still read in English too! You don’t need my permission to read to your kids in English, or whatever language you speak at home. Kids can learn multiple languages simultaneously. Because reading and word review is the only at-home-work that I suggest, I would love for every family to read (or look at) 1 short French book everyday, but what you read in other languages will also contribute to your child’s growth as a reader.
Above all, make sure it’s manageable for you and your family. Working with your child is important, but it should always be enjoyable.
I thank you in advance for all your amazing help and dedication this year. Your efforts at home will contribute greatly to your child’s development!
How to access RAZ-Kids online (link also posted on Google Classroom):
Go to www.kidsa-z.com
Enter or choose the teacher's username: tmitchell142
Your child can find their name on the class chart
Click on your password picture(s) (see below)
You’re in! Click on Reading Room and then French to see your French leveled books. (The leveled books are under “Livres en français”, at the bottom.)