We are proud to be celebrating our 13th year of book buddies at SAES! This page will answer some questions about this amazing program. If you would like to know more, please e-mail Lida Walker, our SAES book buddies coordinator.
Who are Book Buddies?
Book buddies are community volunteers who provide individual reading instruction guided by a reading specialist.
Why does my child have a book buddy?
We conduct a PALS test at the beginning and end of the school year. If a child does not reach the benchmark, we provide some form of intervention. We may also provide tutors to some children who passed the PALS test. Throughout the year, we evaluate students and move them accordingly.
What do book buddies do?
- Listen to your child read books sent home
- Play word study/phonics/spelling activities
- Read a new phonics book to your child
- Read a new leveled book to your child
- Listen to your child read new books
- Assist your child with sight word activities
All within 30 minutes, twice a week!
How can I help my child be successful?
- Be sure your child is reading his two book buddy books nightly (15 minutes daily).
- Help your child learn the word wall/sight words (two minutes daily).
What do I do with word wall/sight words?
- Check off which words your child is already able to read within five seconds.
- Make two copies of the hard words on index cards.
- Introduce only three hard words at a time, and build from there (one minute a day).
But these books seem so easy!
- Reading easy books helps a child become a more fluent reader.
- A fluent reader can comprehend better.
- Reading easy books helps a child become a confident reader.
What if the books are too hard?
Alternate/take turns reading the pages with your child.
How do you know what level my child is reading at this time?
Teachers give an A-Z test periodically throughout the year. The book buddies coordinator receives the test results and adjusts students’ reading levels accordingly. Teachers also give running records and continually adjust the levels. Levels are just a guide; they fluctuate according to many variables.
What if my child is not reading at grade level by the end of the year?
This is a journey. It continues throughout the year, even in the summer months. Your child will continue to read and move smoothly up the levels if reading becomes a crucial component of his day (15 minutes of quiet reading daily).