Here at Huamei we not only develop our children’s reading ability, we also focus on individual reading skills. Honing upon each one, which enables our students to better understand the books they read and try and create a passion for reading that not only stays in the classroom but travels with them to home and beyond. Join us, as we take you into one of our reading classes. We cover character; setting; problem and solution; author’s purpose, to name but a few.

Today we will run you through a typical reading lesson.

Welcome to class 4:2!

So, what comes first when we delve into a new book? The front cover. We always look at the front cover for our new story. We use our prediction skills to talk about what we think the story will be about. We ask students what they can see. We focus on the characters, genre, the author, and the illustrator. All of these elements together are the fundamental factors of any good book.

They then will use their dictionaries and work with their tablemate to find the definitions of new vocabulary within a set time. Once the students have finished, selected students will write their definitions on the board for the students to check. The ability to use a dictionary correctly is an important skill to have, and not an easy one to master, so we like to practise this each week.

Next, we use the time to develop our reading ability and pronunciation skills. Here in class 4:2 we like to take in turns and read in small groups, and the students who aren’t reading ask questions focused on the pages read. This not only builds confidence when reading aloud but keeps their listening skills in motion as their classmates read. Next, an activity focused on the reading skill of the week will be covered. This week we looked at the ability ‘to infer’. The class listened to a description of a picture/scene and used their inferring skills to draw what they hear. This is not only fun but sharpens their listening skills and allows them to develop their ability to infer.

Now we are coming to the end of the lesson. This is when we like to wind down. We do this by practising the spelling of our new vocabulary taken from the book and general words they know. I call out a word then point to a student who gives the first letter, then another gives the next, and so forth. They need to pay attention and listen to the previous letter, and if someone is unable to say the correct answer they must sit down. If there is time, students take on my role, select a word and ask the class to spell it. Then the bell rings! Our reading class has come to an end!

See you again, in the classroom soon. Happy reading!