1. FASTER F amilies A nd S chool T ogether E nriching R eading Wednesday 26 th Sept 2012

2. What is the FASTER Project? A volunteer led programme which helps support and develop reading fluency and comprehension.

3. How do children learn to read? Part 1 By hearing language By being read to regularly By exploring books and other texts By observing a good role model

4. How do children learn to read? Part 2 When they begin to decode: By being listened to when reading aloud By reading for a few minutes every day

5. Gradually… Parent Task Have a look at the sheet - can you decode and make sense of the contents?

6. What does research say? The National Reading Panel released its research based findings in a report entitled, Teaching Children to Read. The report highlighted the importance of the role of parents in providing children with early language and literacy experiences that foster reading development. It indicated that readers become more fluent when they are given lots of opportunities to practice their reading.

7. What do we mean by “a fluent reader?” Children who can decode text accurately, read at an acceptable rate and read aloud with appropriate expression are said to be fluent readers (NRP, 2000)

8. Reading with children Ask questions and encourage children to think. Why do you think he did that? What would happen if…? I wonder why…? Relating the story to the child’s own experiences is another strategy to aid discussion and help internalise the meaning in the text. Remember…most children love to talk about themselves!

9. What can our skilled readers do? Skilled readers can: answer a question about the content anticipate what happens next based on hints in the story actively interact with the text and relate ideas presented in the text to their own knowledge and experiences. In other words not only are they a fluent reader but they COMPREHEND what they are reading.

10. What is involved and how can I help? Commit to a minimum of two, ten to fifteen minute sessions for initially six weeks. Either first thing in the morning or just before the end of the school day. Have an up to date CRB clearance. Complete a Volunteer application form.

11. What are the benefits? An increased confidence and self- esteem in the reader. The opportunity to read to someone other than one’s own parent or teacher. A closer relationship between the school, the volunteer and the child.

12. In conclusion The FASTER reading project offers the children the opportunity to read with different adults. Volunteers support comprehension by discussing the text with the child and asking questions so that children think more deeply about what they are reading. The project supports the development of reading fluency, confidence and enjoyment, which in turn increases self esteem.