Over the past few weeks, the Journeys' reading lessons have focused on summarizing and sequencing.  These are important strategies for the students to comprehend and produce in their writing.  Both strategies can be practiced at home using a variety of topics.  Students can summarize a special interest, hobby or their day in a set number of words or sentences.  This activity will teach your child to get his/her point across using only the most important words.  He/she may need help removing the unnecessary information to get to the main idea of the topic. 

 

Sequencing and using time order words is the second strategy to focus on with your child.  After your child has engaged in a specific task, ask him/her to sequence the steps that were involved.  This can begin as a verbal task and transition to a written one.  Focus on using time order words, dates, or times to highlight the sequencing.  Some students enjoy making comic strips or graphic novels which represent a sequence of events. Once the pictures are drawn, ask your child to add sentences to sequence the events.  

 

I hope some of these strategies will help you work with your child at home.  If you need more suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher or me.  Thank you.

 

Danielle Bache