Inferring

     We are learning how making inferences can help us understand what we read.  Good readers determine meaning of unknown words by using their schema, paying attention to the text and picture clues, rereading and engaging in conversation with each other.
     Good readers use their prior knowledge and clues from the text to draw conclusions and form their own ideas about the text.
     Good readers infer meaning when the answers to questions are not directly (explicitly) stated in the text.
     Good readers use the text to create their own ideas about a subject in order to deepen and enrich understanding.
     And lastly good readers revise their images to add new information.
   

I WONDER... Asking Questions

  For the next few weeks the class will be asking lots of questions about what they are reading.  We will be learning how to ask "Thick" and "Thin" questions.  I will send home examples of each in the Friday Folder.  We will also be learning the "Art of Conversation".  We will not always be raising our hands, but listening to others and responding.

*Questions help a reader clarify ideas and deepen understanding.
*Young children are the master questioners - I WONDER...Why the
  sky is blue?Why are there clouds?  Those questions show a child's
  brilliance.  As a teacher or a parent,we want to encourage them to
  ask those questions that really puzzle them, even if
  there is no answer.
*Wonder keeps he imagination alive and curiosity well tuned.
*Asking questions is how you make sense of the world and
   leads you to new ideas and more questions.
*Share YOUR questions when you are reading with
  your child, showing him/her that even you have
  questions when you read.
*There is no doubt about it, children love to generate their
  own questions.  Questioning makes reading more fun.

     We will also be inferring and synthesizing when asking questions.
I will be defining those terms as we use them. Although your child will
probably explaining them to you a lot better than I can.