• Home-School Connections

    The School District of Clayton Home-School Reading Connections aims to ensure that you have the strategies you need to support your child's reading development. The activities below cover the five areas of reading development: phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. In addition to these activities, your child can spend time reading independently or with someone. It is important to adapt the activities to your child's interests, learning pace, and schedule, ensuring that reading remains an enjoyable and enriching experience.

    Daily Reading Routine

    Grade Level

    Routine

    Kindergarten

    Spend 15-20 minutes reading together. Focus on picture books and simple texts. Ask questions about the characters and what happened in the story.

    First Grade

    Spend 20-25 minutes reading together. Discuss the characters, settings, and what's happening in the story.

    Second Grade

    Spend 25-30 minutes reading together. Explore chapter books and more complex stories. Encourage your child to read aloud or silently, depending on their preference. Discuss the main ideas and any new words.

    Third Grade

    Spend 25-30 minutes each day reading. Encourage your child to read independently, discussing the story's characters and any questions they have. Explore various genres to expand their interests.

    Fourth Grade

    Spend 25-30 minutes each day reading. Provide a variety of texts, including fiction, nonfiction, and short articles. Discuss themes, opinions, and connections between different texts.

    Fifth Grade

    Spend 25-30 minutes each day reading. Offer a mix of longer novels, historical texts, and contemporary articles. Encourage your child to analyze characters, settings, and the author's purpose.

    Sixth Grade

    Spend 45-60 minutes each day reading. Provide a range of challenging texts, including classic literature and current events. Discuss the author’s perspective, deeper meanings, and connections to the world.

    Seventh Grade

    Spend 45-60 minutes each day reading. Offer diverse genres, encouraging your child to explore historical, cultural, and scientific texts. Discuss varying viewpoints, evidence, and implications.

    Eighth Grade

    Spend 45-60 minutes each day reading. Provide thought-provoking texts, including complex novels and scholarly articles. Engage in thoughtful discussions about themes, literary devices, and broader implications.

    Literacy Activities

    Kylene Beers on X: "Look what happens when we add just 10 minutes more a day to students' reading. Read. Then read more. #DisruptingThinking https://t.co/IXLJXeQ4gk" / X