(openPR) - MTS Minnesota Connections Academy, ConnectionsAcademy.com, a free online school for K-12 students, is offering tips during February’s “I love to read month,” to help improve children’s comprehension, vocabulary and appreciation for literature. Simply having an awareness of the best way to read aloud can help parents and educators teach young learners.

Parents often find themselves reading the same story to their child over, and over again. Although parents may be tired of reading Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, the simple act of re-reading stories with a child helps teach numerous literacy skills. Vocabulary, the ability to make inferences, increased engagement and appreciation of literature improves with the use of repeated interactive read-aloud. (McGee and Schickendanz 7)

In order to improve a child’s comprehension, vocabulary and appreciation for literature, the child needs to be actively engaged in the story. Engaged learners focus on the story, look at pictures, and both ask and answer questions. In order to keep a child engaged, it’s best to have the reader select the book. The reader should also ask open-ended questions, in which the answers are not directly answered in the story. For instance, “Why do you think [he/she] did that?” “What do you think will happen next and why?” Or, “How do you think [he/she] feels?”

Vocabulary is also important in reading. If a child doesn’t understand a word, they will be unable to comprehend what is happening in the story. Parents and educators can remedy this by drawing attention to a few key vocabulary words and providing a short definition. Since it can take as many as 25 exposures for a child to fully understand a word, readers need to have a discussion about the word and the meaning, follow up at the end of the story by talking about the vocabulary words, and have a child practice writing the word and drawing a picture of the word and its meaning.

Another way to support comprehension is to model and practice “think aloud.” A think aloud is when the reader verbally states what they are thinking about as they are reading. This may feel forced, but it’s helpful for children. Readers are encouraged to use the phrase, “I’m thinking...” as they are reading aloud. For instance, when Henny Penny thinks the sky has fallen on her head, the reader may say: “I’m thinking Henny Penny is doing something foolish. Why does she think the sky has fallen on her head?” Another key phrase is, “This reminds me...” For instance, “this part of the story reminds me of when I...” and proceed to make a connection between a personal experience or an experience in another book.

These tips to help engage readers, provided by Minnesota Connections Academy, are simply a few ways parents and educators can help improve a child’s comprehension, vocabulary and appreciation for literature.

Minnesota Connections Academy, with its headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn., combines state-certified teachers, high quality curriculum, unique technology tools, an extensive selection of electives, clubs and community experiences to create an individualized alternative to the brick-and-mortar classroom. The curriculum is aligned to meet or exceed Minnesota academic standards. Students also participate in the state standardized testing.

Connections Academy is designed to meet the needs of students and their families who are looking for a unique public school option—those who need a flexible schedule, learn at a different pace from their peers, need for more individualized attention or live in isolated rural settings. Homebound and previously home-schooled students can also thrive in the program. Connections Academy operates its full-time Internet school program in Minnesota through a partnership with Minnesota Transitions Charter School.

Families interested in free online school with some similarities to home schooling, but with the support of state-certified teachers and the accountability of public education are encouraged to learn more by calling 800-382-6010 or visiting www.ConnectionsAcademy.com.

Connections Academy is a leading national provider of high-quality, highly accountable virtual public schools in fourteen states operated in partnership with charter schools, school districts, and state departments of education. Connections Academy schools deliver top quality, personalized education for students that combines certified teachers, a proven curriculum, technology tools, and community experiences to create a supportive and successful environment for children who want an individualized approach to education. In Connections Academy’s Personalized Performance Learning® approach, students use daily lesson plans and curriculum materials provided by Connections Academy. Teachers develop a learning plan for each student, whose progress is tracked through a proprietary web-based Learning Management System. In 2008-2009 Connections Academy will serve students in Arizona, California (Southern and Central), Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri (through the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program), Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. Connections Academy offers grades K through 12, though some schools do not offer all grades. For more information, call 800-382-6010 or visit www.ConnectionsAcademy.com.

Reference: McGee, Lea M., & Schickendanz, Judith A. (2007). “Repeated interactive read-alouds in pre-school and kindergarten.” The Reading Teacher. 60(8), 742-751.

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