What do you think is the best method for teaching children how to read?

Answer 1

Because reading is a compilation of comprehension, fluency and accuracy, the best way to teach a child to read is to find books that are at his or her level and begin reading. If the child has no reading skills yet, you can read the book to the child (a patterned book would be best-one that repeats most of the text but only changes a word or two) and then have the child read it back to you. Have the child use picture clues to figure out unknown words. Then discuss what was going on in the story (most of the patterned books don't have much of a "story" but you can still discuss the book's text).

You can select specific words that are considered "sight words", words that are very common and are not easy to sound out, like the word "the". Write the word on a card or paper and then show the child that word and tell them what it is and then ask the child to find the word in the text.

Do a lot of reading aloud at a level just above what the child can do alone. Discuss what's going on in the book, including, but not limited to: main characters, setting, problem, events and solution. Ask a lot of questions concerning the "whys" of the story: Why do you think so-and-so decided to do that? Questions that make the child think about what's going on in the story.

But reading will only get better with more reading. Always choose books that are at a level that the child can read independtly if he or she is reading alone or to you. As I mentioned before, if the child does not read, you can read first and the child can read it back. Also, let the child tell the story through the pictures. This is a developmental step that too many children do not get to do because either someone doesn't allow them to do it because it's not actually reading the text, or because they don't have enough access to books before they enter school.

I'm sure I can think of other things to tell you, but I think this is enough for this post LOL

Answer 2

The single most important thing in teaching children to read is reading to them early and often. Exposing children to a variety of print will make them naturally curious and help make them aware that the printed word has meaning. Reading and talking about books, street signs, labels on food, menus, etc. will prepare the child for reading. Also, allowing children to handle books gives them power in their learning and allows them to tell the story themself, as well as learn the natural flow of books.

When a child has had a lot of exposure, they will naturally start picking up common words. From there, you can start helping the child look for common sounds and the letters that represent those sounds. By identifying sounds, letting the child "write" and reading the the child, he or she will learn more than just how to sound out a word - he or she will learn to read with fluency AND understanding (and will hopefully love reading!).

Answer 3

I am getting some competition in your questions. (I answered them in reverse order.)

The "how to teach reading" question is ambiguous as most teaching is. All answers should start with, "It depends."

It depends on what type of students are in your classroom.
It depends on what support these students have at home.
It depends on what support "you" have from your colleagues, administrators, and district.

It depends on what materials you "may" use.
It depends on what materials you "must" use.

It depends on what the prevailing "theory of education" is being force down you throat by legislators, administrators, and department chairpersons.

It depends on what you know about "how to teach reading."
It depends on how much experience you have teaching what you think you know about "how to teach reading."

So as others rant on and on about their philosophies of "how to teach reading," they have already thought about these things in their districts, their schools, their classrooms, their experiences.

Please realize their opinions will be of little advice to you until to walk into your first classroom and stand in front of your first reading group!

Answer 4

PHONICS!!!! Hands-down! The whole language approach is from the devil.

Answer 5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcR1xCVG8o8