Dear Parent/Guardian,

Your child is currently working on the literacy strategy, Tune in to interesting words, which helps with the overall goal, Expand Vocabulary.

When children learn to Tune in to interesting words, they build word awareness and the understanding of words. This leaves them with “thinking power” in their brain to comprehend and make meaning of what is read. Have you ever heard a new word, looked it up, and then repeated it often to remember it? Students who tune in to interesting words expand their vocabulary by focusing on these new words and their meaning. By looking for words that are interesting and unique, children not only increase their vocabulary, but they also enhance their comprehension. A child must have multiple exposures to a word in order for it to become a part of their vocabulary.

How can you help your child with this strategy at home?
  1. Ask your child to tell you about their word collector at school. The word collector is a form that allows your child to keep track of interesting words found in books they is reading. Create a word collector at home to hang on the refrigerator or to keep in a special place.
  2. When your child is reading or you are reading to your child, ask them to find three interesting words. Have your child write these words down and talk about their meaning. See if anyone in your family is able to use the words in a sentence. Add these words to your family word collector.
  3. Encourage your child to notice interesting words when watching TV or in daily conversation. When tuning in to an interesting word, help your child understand the word and then add it to the family word collector.
  4. As always, modeling is a wonderful way to spark interest in children. When you are reading a magazine, newspaper, or book, tune into an interesting word and discuss it with your child. Explain that even adult readers tune in to interesting words to better understand text.
Thank you for your continued support at home!

—Mrs. Boushey

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