Raising an Active Reader

Samantha Cleaver, PhD, studied read aloud and developed Active Reading during her work with Read Charlotte, a community-wide initiative to double the number of students reading on grade level by 3rd grade in Mecklenburg County, NC. She holds a doctorate in special education with a focus on literacy interventions from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Cleaver asserts that many parents stop reading aloud to their kids when the children start reading on their own. However, the elementary years prove one of the most beneficial times for reading aloud since vocabulary and comprehension skills are developed through Active Reading and reading aloud. The ABCs of active reading (ask questions, build vocabulary, and make connections) are here applied to these crucial years in skill development. To engage learners there are lists of questions for before, during, and after reading. In addition, the author shares how to practice active reading skills in various genres: nonfiction, fiction, first chapter books, and picture books. A special section explores how to help struggling readers by using such techniques as modeling how to visualize, using wordless picture books, keeping realistic goals, and celebrating strengths. The appendixes contain book lists organized by category and answers to frequently asked questions. This book will prove a valuable resource for parents, teachers, and librarians on the vital topic of reading aloud. With many titles geared toward reading aloud to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, this helpful work will be ideal for school libraries.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroductionActive Reading: Preparing Your Child for Reading SuccessWhat is Active Reading?The Case for Read Aloud when Kids can Read on Their OwnReady to Read with Me MoreChapter 1: Keep Reading with MeActive Reading in the Early Elementary YearsElementary School-Aged Children Learn (A Lot) from Picture BooksActive Reading: Evidence-Based Bedtime ReadingRaising Active ReadersABCs of Active Reading with Elementary SchoolersA: Ask QuestionsB: Build VocabularyC: Make ConnectionsKeep Reading with MeWhat to RememberChapter 2: I Can Read on my Own!What is Reading?Reading and your Elementary-SchoolerThe Big 5: What it Takes to ReadPhonemic AwarenessPhonicsFluencyVocabularyComprehensionLanguage: The Foundation for ReadingActive Reading and the Home-School ConnectionHow do Parents Contribute to Reading Success?More Ways to Help Your Child with Reading at HomeLet’s Read!What to RememberChapter 3: Books, Books, Books: Building a Library for a Growing ReaderActive Reading Wide and DeepYour Child’s Reading “Diet”Illustrated Chapter BooksMyths, Fairy Tales, and Folk TalesYour FavoritesYour Child’s Perfect FitPoetryNonfictionBooks that are Beyond Their YearsThe Latest, Greatest BooksWindows and Mirrors: Cultivating Diversity and Empathy through BooksBooks as WindowsBooks as MirrorsBooks They Read On Their OwnLeveled ReadersMy First Chapter BooksTree Books vs. E-BooksBooks MatterWhat to RememberChapter 4: Ask QuestionsThe Importance of ConversationWhy do we Ask Questions?Asking Questions about StoriesStory QuestionsUsing Questions to Help Children Understand Difficult Texts1. What Does the Text Say?2. How Does the Text Work?3. What Does the Text Mean?4. What Does the Text Inspire You to Do?Thinking Critically about StoriesHow do Children Develop Critical Thinking?How to Raise a Critical ThinkerGet Kids to Ask QuestionsTell Me MoreWhat to RememberChapter 5: Build VocabularyVocabulary is Important, Imperative, and SignificantHow Children Learn WordsFinding Words: The Power of BooksRare WordsAcademic WordsUnderstanding PhrasesChoosing Words during Active ReadingBuilding Your Child’s Vocabulary through Active ReadingBecoming Word Learners: Developing Word ConsciousnessWords, Words, WordsWhat to RememberChapter 6: Make Connections to the Child’s World: FictionMaking Inferences: Connecting Old and New InformationCause-and-Effect InferencesRelationship InferencesHow Do You Know? Helping Children Make InferencesMaking PredictionsRemember to Circle BackWhat if My Child’s Prediction Makes No Sense?Connecting with Stories to Learn about the WorldUsing Fiction to Help Children Connect to Tough TopicsConnect to Your Child’s WorldChapter 7:Making Connections to Nonfiction TextNonfiction and 3rd Grade ReadingThe Challenge of Reading NonfictionBackground KnowledgeText StructureAcademic VocabularyBackground Knowledge: The Backbone for Understanding NonfictionBuild Background Knowledge: Read Wide and DeepHow to Encourage Wide and Deep ReadingTalk about Nonfiction Book StructureText FeaturesApplying the ABCs of Active Reading to NonfictionGetting Started: Book WalksAsk Questions about NonfictionBefore ReadingDuring ReadingAfter ReadingBuilding Vocabulary with NonfictionMake Connections to NonfictionConnect with Nonfiction TextWhat to RememberChapter 8: Active Reading with Chapter Books and NovelsWhat Makes Chapter Books and Novels Special?Choosing Chapter Books and Novels to Read TogetherChoosing Chapter Books for Your Child to Read On Their OwnThe ABCs of Active Reading Chapter Books and NovelsAsk QuestionsStory Grammar QuestionsVisualizing What We ReadBuild VocabularyMake ConnectionsMake Connections with Background KnowledgeMake Connections From Scene to SceneMake Connections with Characters, Events, and FeelingsRaising a Novel ReaderActive Reading with Longer StoriesWhat to RememberChapter 9: Active Reading and the Struggling ReaderHow Kids Struggle with ReadingWord ReadingFluencyComprehensionWhat Kids Who Struggle with Reading Need in Grades K-2Perfect PracticeBuild StaminaWhen Children Struggle to Make InferencesModel How to VisualizeReread Important SectionsWork at the Sentence LevelBuild a BridgeUse Wordless Picture BooksActive Reading with Struggling ReadersMore Ways to Support a Child Who Struggles with ReadingRaising Active ReadersWhat to RememberChapter 10: Raising an Active ReaderActive Readers beyond 3rd GradeKeep Your Child ReadingTaking the ABCs of Active Reading beyond BooksAsk QuestionsBuild VocabularyMake ConnectionsDevelop Your Child’s Interests and PassionsKeeping Read Aloud Alive in Your FamilyAppendix A: Book ListsAppendix B: Frequently Asked QuestionsReferencesAbout the Author