In elementary school, the first six weeks of school are all about building routines. In reading class, this means teaching students to read a book each day, for a sustained period of time.
Over the last couple months, all of our routines have been upended. Students have lost the reliable reading routines their teachers worked hard to build, and parents have seen their own routines turned upside down. How can parents manage their child’s schooling while juggling everything else? Here’s a teacher trick…
The “I Can” chart. An “I Can” chart lists things students CAN DO during a given part of the day. Kids respond well to positive commands (“read a book,” rather than, “put the tablet away”), and “I Can” charts allow them to choose an activity that they really CAN do independently.
If your child is struggling to complete digital assignments, make an “I Can” chart. Above is an “I Can” chart for reading. List some productive things your child could do during their daily reading time, set a timer, and leave them to work independently.
“I Can” Chart, Student Edition I Can…
- read a book.
- listen to an audiobook.
- read with a friend via Facetime.
- read to a sibling.
- summarize what I’ve read today.
- write a reading reflection (thoughts, opinions, feelings about the book).
“I Can” Chart, Parent Edition I Can…
- make sure my child has a book to read (here’s a list of digital books that can be accessed for free).
- require my child to read each day.
- read to my child, or with my child.
- ensure a quiet time each day, for reading.
- ask about my child’s reading.
- trust my judgement (maybe you deem some assignments to be busy work, and let your child read or write instead).
I love the “I Can” chart, because it focuses your attention on what you CAN do, which is especially important right now, when there’s so much that you can’t do. Have you tried this? If so, will you show me on Instagram? I’d LOVE to see!
