Book-in-a-Bag Starts!

We want our children to learn the good habits of good readers. We know that good readers read every day! Starting today your child will bring home his own book-in-a-bag which is a book your child has specifically chosen to bring home to read to you. If you want to see how teachers at Chets Creek read to their own children, enjoy these videos below.

This first video shows Mrs. Rossignol, a second grade teacher, reading to her first grader. Like so many of you, she has more than one child so she has her preschooler join her first grader and they enjoy the book-in-a-bag together. This is a fun family time!


The second video shows Mrs. Dillard, a first grade teacher, reading a chapter book to her first grade son. This is a Junie B. Jones chapter book (a first grade favorite!)that might be a little too difficult for her son to read alone but he certainly can enjoy hearing the book. Notice that she asks him questions as they go along to check to make sure he understands what they are reading. What a great addition to reading time!



Below are some of the questions that you might ask your child before, during, and after reading. Of course, there are no right and wrong questions and answers. The point is just to help your child enjoy the experience and let them know how proud you are of them - now that they are readers!

Before the child reads, ask him if he has read this book before. If he hasn’t, ask him to predict what he thinks the book will be about.

After your child reads the book, change up the things that you ask each day. He may bring the same book home for several days to practice reading it without making any mistakes. He wants to read it like he is talking. Below are some questions that you might ask after your child reads.

Was this book fiction (a story) or non-fiction (really happened)?
Who were the main characters in your book?
What was the setting? (Where did the story happen? When did it happen?)
Retell the story. Tell me what happened in the beginning, the middle, and the end of the story.
What was your favorite part of the story? Why was it your favorite?
Why do you think the author wrote this book?
Can you think of another title for this book?
Did anything in this book remind you of something that has happened in your own life? Tell your child about something that reminded you of something in your life.
Did this book remind you of any other book you have read?
Did you like this book? Why or why not?
Just to change things up, read to your child sometimes instead of having them read their book in the bag to you. Choose a book that really interests your child that you can select from your home library or from the school or the public library. Reading to your child can really enhance comprehension. First graders really love chapter books and your child will cherish the time with you!