Wide Reading
"Wide" Reading
We all love sitting down and listening to a great story. However, there are many different types of books, and exposing your child to a variety of these kinds (or genres) of texts is very important. Reading many different kinds of books is called “wide” reading.
Students who do this “wide” reading are exposed to more words, different kinds of pictures and text formats, and whole new worlds!
Next time you do some reading with your child, instead of traditional fiction, try one of these other genres!
Non-Fiction:
As adults, we read non-fiction throughout the day to learn how to complete tasks, to catch up on the latest headline news, and to solve problems. The standardized tests that students take each year also have a lot of non-fiction text. Students need to know how to attack this kind of reading. Take time to look at the captions, table-of-contents, glossary, bold-print and headings in the book! Below are some common types of non-fiction:
Informational Text
What will the weather be like this week? How do snakes eat? Why do machines make noise? Young children are full of questions. Informational texts help them find the answers to these questions and provide facts on a variety of topics! Get out the newspaper and look at the weather forecast. Find a non-fiction book on strange creatures. This kind of text can be exciting and interesting!
Biography
Biographies tell the story of a person’s life. These types of texts can be very inspiring to our children, and can teach them characteristics that help a person become a successful adult!
Instructions/Procedures/Brochures
Have your child help read the directions for a game. Read the steps to putting his or her new toy together. Read a recipe and follow the directions while you cook together! At the zoo, have your child help you read the brochure to find our where his or her favorite animal is located. The options are endless for this kind of text!
Poetry:
Poetry can be so enjoyable and can make your kids laugh outloud! It is often shorter and even the most reluctant readers feel confidence reading it. Poetry often uses rhythm and rhyme. Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky are two great poets to start with in this genre!
Fiction:
Historical Fiction
Historical fiction takes place in a particular time period from our history. These types of books help history come alive for kids! The characters are often made up, but the setting and some of the storyline are based on real events.
Fantasy/Science Fiction
Does your child have a great imagination? If so, they will love these types of books! These books contain elements that are not possible in real life. You might find talking animals, magical powers, or imaginary worlds in these books.
Mystery
A mystery is a suspenseful story about a puzzling event. There are clues, suspects, and detectives. By the end of the story, the problem is solved. See if you can figure it out before you get there!