Welcome Page

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Welcome to S.T.A.R.S!
Strategies That Assist Readers to Succeed
"Book of the Month"
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing By Judy Blume
Click Here to Continue!
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Dear Families,

• The students, staff, and parents at Dr. Ramon E.
  Betances school are working on a goal-oriented
  program designed to help fourth grade students
  become more effective readers by using before,
  during and after reading strategies.
• One of our goals is to encourage parents to be
  involved in reading process by attending
  informative meetings about the S.T.A.R.S program,
  utilizing this website, and being a facilitator
  in your childs reading success!  
• Youre encouraged to read together at the same
  time and in the same room, using a variety of
  reading materials books, newspapers, magazines,
  internet articles, and picture books for
  children. Research shows that children develop an
  enthusiasm for books and are more successful in
  school when their parents actively engage them in
  the fun of reading. Here are some hints to get
  you started
• Discuss reading strategy and refer to posters
  often (post on refrigerator)
• Decide together which night to set aside for
  your reading time.
• Make reading a daily routine.
• Our program will begin on October 4th and
  continue throughout the school year.  Our
  teachers will model and discuss each reading
  strategy with you, and your children will be
  taught these strategies during the school day.
• If your family remains actively involved, you and
  your child will be invited to join us at the
  Rising Stars Picnic, in June! 
• Whatever It Takes, Were All In This Together!

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Parent/Guardian Interview Survey Please answer
the following questions as honestly as possible.
This information will be used for a website we
are creating to assist you with reading at home.
Parent/Guardians Name_______________________ Stu
dents Name_____________________________ 1. Do
you ever read with your child? Yes No a.
When do you read?________________________ b.
Where do you read?_______________________ 2. Do
you ask your child questions about what they are
reading? Yes No a. If yes, what do
you ask? _________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_______ 3. Does your child guess what the story
is about? Yes No 4. Does your child read to
you? Yes No 5. Do you and your child go to
the library? Yes No a. If yes, how often do you
go? ___________________ b. If no, what is the
reason?_____________________ 6. Do you have
access to the internet? Yes No 7. If you were
given strategies to help your child be successful
in reading, would you use them? Yes No Thank you
so much for your time! For your participation,
your child will receive a free gift!
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Before Reading

• Good Readers always predict what the story will
  be about. This helps to set a purpose for
  reading.They use background knowledge, the title
  and pictures to help make a prediction.
• Using the novel of the month, use the clues to
  make a prediction. Write your predictions here.

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During Reading

• Good readers clarify parts of the story they
  dont understand or words they dont know.
• (Click here for the clarifying checklist)
• Good readers also ask questions to check their
  understanding of what they have read.
• Here are some sample questions to ask during
  reading

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After Reading

• Good readers summarize or retell the important
  parts of the story in their own words.
• (Click here for a Story Map)
• Good readers also make connections from the story
  to themselves, other stories, and the world.
• (Click here for a connections activity)

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Contacts

• STUCK? Need Help?
• Contact the S.T.A.R.S. Facilitators
• Ms. Skoglund- skogm001_at_hartfordschools.org
• phone- 695-2895
• Mrs. Rhinesmith- wrhinesmith_at_waterbury.k12.ct.us.e
  du
• phone- 675-9995
• Ms. Lamb- vlamb_at_madison.k12.ct.us
• phone-
• Mrs. Case- bonns001_at_hartfordschools.org
• phone- 695-2660

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Parent Resources

• http//www.education.umd.edu/EDCI/readingcenter/HE
  LP.htm
• This site explains ways to help your student with
  reading!
• http//encarta.msn.com/encnet/departments/elementa
  ry/default.aspx?articlestrengthenread.com
• This site gives tips to strengthen comprehension!
• www.scholastic.com/parents/index.asp
• This site has great parenting guides and reading
  resources!

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Extension Activities

• Here are some great activities that tie our
  strategies to any story you read!
• This is a webquest of our Book of the Month!
• Here is a book report you can complete and return
  to your teacher!

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October, 2007
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