WITS Volunteer Orientation 2023-2024 School Year

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Top 5 Tips for Reading with Your Student
1. Encourage your student to choose books
Go up to the book bin with your student to help them choose a book. Your WITS staff member can help!
This sounds like: “Do you want to try fiction or nonfiction today?” “Is there anything you’re learning about in school that you would like to read more about?” “Do you have a favorite author?”
2. Ask open-ended questions
This sounds like: “What do you think will happen next?…” “How do you think this character…” “Why…”
3. Model your own thinking
When you have a genuine reaction to a book, share it!
This sounds like: “I wonder…” “I’m confused about…” “I am surprised that…”
4. Talk with your student
Talking with your student (about anything!) is crucial in building your relationship.
Conversations about books are especially important for comprehension and in forming an identity as a reader
5. Don’t over-correct
If a student stops because they can’t say a word, wait three seconds, then tell them how to say the word.
If this happens more than 3-5 times on a page, the book may be too hard for them to read on their own.