Each year students in AK, Kindergarten and First Grade have the opportunity to take home books at their level for nightly reading at home. This home school partnership is one way that Benton students enhance their love of reading as they practice at home the skills they are learning in school.
Kindergarten students at Atkins Elementary began taking home books from our Book Carts each night to read at home with parents in early October. Teachers checked students’ pre-reading skills and reading levels to determine the appropriate books for students to read to their parents. Each student has a folder containing strategy cards and tips to help parents support their child’s word attack and comprehension skills along with the book they choose each day.
Kindergarteners’ increased interest and confidence in their ability to read is already showing after just a few weeks of taking home these books. Parents are able to see their child’s growth demonstrated each night as they see their children learn to use strategies like looking for picture clues, tracking the print, and using phonics and context clues to read new words.