Sample Exercise In the Beginning... Before starting a new book, say: "What do you think this book will be about?" "What can you tell about the story from reading the title?" "What can you tell about the story by looking at the picture on the cover?" "Where do you think this story takes place?" When your children shrug and say "I don't know", make up an outrageous and ridiculous answer and see how they respond. Be enthusiastic! Especially when they make a good guess! After finishing the first paragraph or two, say..."So what is going on?" "Use your mind's eye...Do you have a clear picture in your mind?" After finishing the first page or two, your children should have a very good idea about what is going on in the story, and a very clear picture of the characters and the setting in their mind's eye. Breakdown! When your children get stuck on an unknown word say..."Breakdown". "Breakdown" is a very good "cue" word to help your children remember to break up the unknown word into familiar patterns (i.e.: swallow=s-w-all-ow). Tell your children the sound of the first vowel pattern, before asking them to breakdown (i.e.: "a-l-l" says all. Now breakdown", or ..."ea" says eeeee. Now breakdown"). "Can you see any smaller words in that word?" If your children can see a smaller word inside an unknown word (i.e.: at, in, an, am, it, etc.), say...."now breakdown". What is the ROOT word? Help your children memorize endings such as "s, es, ed, ing, tion, er, & ture", and beginnings such as "un, re, pre, per, & in". Then say... "What is the root word"? (A root word is the word that is left after the beginning and/or ending is taken off...i.e.: returning - the root word is "turn") Then tell your children the sound of the vowel pattern in the root word (i.e.: turn = "u-r" says "r") and say..."now breakdown". Always focus on the root word. It is helpful to put your finger over the ending at first so that the child only sees the "root" word. Eventually, they will be able to find the root word on their own. Read Along! After your children have struggled through a couple of words from the same paragraph, reread the paragraph for them slowly, so that they can concentrate on the meaning of the story, and not get bogged down by the letters and patterns. Rereading shows children how to read smoothly and with expression. You could also reread the previous paragraph by reading along at the same time as your child. Have your child point to the words while you read. Read slowly and with lots of expression so that your child can follow along and copy your expression. What do you think will happen next? Every so often, be sure to ask: "What do you think is going to happen now?" Talk about the characters and their feelings, and how problems can be solved. Sometimes we get so caught up in decoding the story that we forget to enjoy it! Other comprehension questions include: "So what's going on?" "Do you know someone like that?" "Where do you think __________ will go?" "Have you ever felt like that?" "Who do you think did that?" "Why do you think....?"