These are some guidelines for the parents at Anderson’s Creek Primary School:

1.    Read the book they took home last night.

Make sure the child has the book on the table in front of them but that
you can see the words too.

It should be sounding good by now. Encourage expression and  phrasing.

2.    PAUSE

Pause if they come to an unknown word and
see if they can work it out.

3.    PROMPT

Prompt sometimes if they can’t get the word. Tell them the word
occasionally to keep the book flowing.

• Does that look right?
• Does that make sense?
• Does that sound right?
• Look at the beginning/end of the word (usually
  don’t sound out the whole word)
• Put your finger on the words in this sentence
  and make them match.
• Is he happy? Try that again and make him sound
  really happy!
• Listen to me read that sentence and make your
  voice sound like mine!

4.    PRAISE

• You are reading it with such expression!
• I love the way you re-read that and got it
  right. That’s what good readers do!
• You looked at the picture and figured it out.
  Awesome!
• You are matching all the words on this page.
  That’s great reading!
• You are sounding so much better! You rock! I’m
  telling your teacher/mum

5   SELECT

Select the new book with the child. Perhaps
just give them a choice of two books. Be guided by the book box your class
teacher has chosen. If you have time, have a look at the front cover and talk
with them about what might happen in the story so they are looking forward to
reading it at home and have an idea what the book might be about.