Explicit Instruction

This is another subject in which we're going to have to get things out into the open quickly. Reading can be difficult.  If your child (or you) aren't doing well, back up and try again. Learning happens best when a delicate balance between challenges and successes is achieved.  

Explicit instruction leaves nothing to chance.  Think out loud.  Read out loud. Explain every single step.  Explain every single reason the task is important.  Probably not all at the same time, but the goal should be clear and the strategies to achieve the goal should be obvious.

If a student really struggles with a book, go back one level with a book on a similar topic and try again.  Use explicit instruction to model reading strategies before practicing together. When the student has mastered those ideas, ask other members of the family to join in and then  try the original text again.  

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These are the steps to follow:

• Make the area comfortable for the student
• Clearly explain what you want them to do (explain)
• Read aloud to your child and 'think aloud' while you read the text (model)
• Let them read aloud and 'think aloud' to you (guided practice) and ask them questions
• Ask other members of the family to question your child or  make time to do it yourself separately. (practice/independent)
• Based on practice and independent study, determine if your child has understood the material.  This can checked by questions about themes, words, and the story line.  Or any number of graphic organizers.
• Reward yourself and your child, regardless of the outcome, with family time.

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Exercise

For example:  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

• Ask your child what they know about boarding school, England, wizards, and trains.
• Tell them we're reading the book so we can understand the movie better when we finish.  
• Use an anticipation guide to judge what your child knows before you start.
• Tell them you're going to have them create a family board game (like Monopoly) with the book as the subject for the family to play.
• Read the first chapter to your child and stop yourself to ask questions 'out loud' to yourself. Answer them with information from the book, or let your child answer.
• Have the child read the next few pages (building to chapters) and ask them to do the same thing.
• Continue until the book is finished.
• Create board game (poster board, markers, construction paper) and play!
• Watch the film with the family.  Invite the child's friends over.

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Tips for making your home "Reader Friendly"

• Read to your child.
• Read lyrics from their favorite songs.
• Tell stories.
• Have books all over your house.
• Provide fun and interesting books for them to read.
• Get a magazine subscription and read it together.
• Play the alphabet game on road trips.
• Make a reading nook.
• Let them choose their own books at the library or bookstore.
• Leave them notes in their lunchboxes .
• Make your own books.
• Have them change the lyrics of their favorite song to fit the book you’re reading.
• Read the book then see the movie for a family treat.
• Let them see you reading for fun.
• Retell and have your children retell stories after reading them.
• Ask your child questions about elements of the story as you read with them.
• Take books with you when you travel.
• Do word searches.
• Download an e-reader app on your smartphone and instead of handing them it to play a game make it a treat to use it to read.
• Read comics and graphic novels with them.
• Read them poetry.
• You can still read them to sleep.  They may miss it.

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Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2015.


Goeke, Jennifer L.  Explicit Instruction: A Framework for Meaningful Direct Teaching  Pearson, 2008. page 10.

McDonald, A. (2013, April 07). 50 ways to teach your child to read. Retrieved April 3, 2015, from http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2013/04/50-ways-to-teach-your-child-to-read.html