Dear Parents,

The Treasure Boxes are terrific!  Everyone was very excited about sharing their new box!  We would like to thank you for your support and please don't hesitate to ask us for assistance if you need more direction in helping your child with reading or writing at home.  We'd be glad to give you some suggestions or explain a bit more about the developmental process of learning to read and write.

Today your child is bringing home his/her "Reading Treasure Box" in which to store his/her books.  The children have also received keys to remind them that the "key to reading success" is to practice every day, at home and at school!  

Most of the books that will be sent home have been introduced and practiced at school during our reading/phonics lessons.  These books have very simple and controlled vocabulary which builds in a sequential manner so that the children come to recognize and memorize important "sight words."  

These books provide them with the opportunity to independently try out their beginning reading skills.  It would be a good idea to allow your child the chance to look at these books and try to figure them out on their own.  Children can be encouraged to look at the pictures for clues, look for words that they know and try to sound out words unfamiliar words using our Alpha Friends Phonics from school.  

By asking a question or two at the end of the book, you can help build comprehension skills.  It is important to stress that what they read should make sense to them.  We would also encourage you to ask questions about the stories that you read to your child for RAH.  

It is important to have the children practice with these little books over and over again!  At school we are insisting that they "track" the print by pointing to each word with their finger and it would be helpful if you would remind them of this at home too.

Again, we would like to stress that daily reading and practice with our books made in school is critical.  But, it is also important to continue reading nightly bedtime stories to your child, too!  Most of the children are ready to listen to more difficult books that are not above their "listening level!"   Many of the children are ready for simple chapter books such as the Junie B. Jones series.  These are often available through See Saw and the book fair.  

Sincerely,