Reading Tips Handouts for Parents

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[post updated June 7, 2016]

Recently I received a request from a secondary teacher asking for a handout on reading that she could give to the parents of her students. In her case, she wanted the tips sheets to distribute on parent-teacher conference night.

We both took a look at our arsenals, asked our pals and did some web searching. This is a link to the document that said teacher ultimately created. I think it is a great handout full of useful strategies for parents to encourage reading and literacy skills.  

Below are several links to other parent info sheets that you might find useful to read and possibly mine for info...

• Why Your Child Should Read 15 Minutes a Day

There are several pages of this document. They are print ready. Some pages are more useful/adaptable for secondary than others. Short and to the point on daily reading. http://www.bpd3.org/km/readingnight.pdf

• Every Child Every Day

I like this one A LOT. It's written by Richard Allington (I've written about him before) for the ASCD . Great, well researched, Not print ready and may be too teacher-ish. But is a great overview of what a reading program should look like and can be useful for discussing independent/student-selected reading models/assignments. Well researched. http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar12/vol69/num06/Every-Child,-Every-Day.aspx

• Every Child Every Day List

This is the same as above, but just in list form and so print ready.  http://youngreaders.ca/downloads/Six%20Elements%20of%20Effective%20Reading%20Instruction%20by%20Richard%20Allington.pdf

• Build Your Child's Reading Skills (elementary)

Written by the Peel District School Board. Target audience: elementary parents. Does a good job about talking about reading and strategies for parents, some of which can be leveled up for secondary. http://www.peelschools.org/parents/helpyourchild/Documents/K%20-%203/Literacy/Build%20your%20childs%20reading%20skills.pdf

• Discover the Magic of Reading Aloud (elementary and secondary)

Another good one from the Peel District School Board. Target audience is primary and secondary parents. http://www.peelschools.org/parents/helpyourchild/Documents/K%20-%203/Literacy/Discover%20the%20magic%20of%20reading%20aloud.pdf

• Motivate the Reluctant Reader

Peel District School Board once more. Some good strategies for parents when dealing with their reluctant readers. http://www.peelschools.org/parents/helpyourchild/Documents/K%20-%203/Literacy/Motivate%20the%20reluctant%20reader.pdf

• How to Encourage Your Child to Become a Critical Thinker

Last one here from the Peel District School Board. Solid handout for parents of elementary and secondary school students. http://www.peelschools.org/parents/helpyourchild/Documents/K%20-%203/Studying%20homework%20and%20school%20success/Encourage%20your%20child%20to%20become%20a%20critical%20thinker.pdf

• How Children Learn to Read

Authored by the Canadian Education Association. Brief fact sheet on reading. Good for explaining the difference between ‘comprehension’ and say, fluency. http://www.cea-ace.ca/sites/cea-ace.ca/files/cea-2011-foe-learn-read.pdf

• Reading Fluency Handout.

This is a bit long, but does a great job of breaking down reading. Target audience is actually teachers, but could be used for parents as well. Part of the Capacity Building Series and  is produced by The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat to support leadership and instructional effectiveness in Ontario schools.  http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/reading_fluency.pdf

Do you have a great handout for parents? Let me know! 

p.s. Thanks to Kerry Y, Heather B and Amaya O for their help in compling resources.