Reading Specialist
Notes For Parents
How do you raise a child to love reading when TV, videogames, computers, and other modern distractions sometimes make it difficult for children to focus on reading? Here are some things you can try to help motivate your child to read:
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Visit your local library often. Get your children their own library cards, and let your child choose some of the books to borrow.
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Let your child see you reading. It can be the newspaper, a magazine, a cookbook, a book...really anything at all.
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Encourage older children to read to their younger brothers and sisters. You can even set aside some time for the whole family to read together!
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Show your child how people use reading all the time. Read aloud street and store signs, maps, billboards, menus, and labels on packages.
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Create a library for your child of new or used books. Look for affordable books at yard sales, secondhand book stores, and library book sales.
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Carry books for you and your child to read wherever you go - at the doctor's office, in line at the store, or on a long car ride.
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Most of all...Have fun!
About the Teacher
Hello! My name is Tracy McCarthy, and I am the reading specialist at Academy of Dover. This is my very first year here, and in fact, it is my first year in Delaware. I lived in New York State prior to moving here, and that is where I received my education.
I attended Corning Community College, where I earned an A.A.S. in human services with a specialization in children's services. I am very proud to say I was also awarded the most outstanding human services student award while I was there. I also attended SUNY Oswego, where I earned a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Masters in Reading Education. I am certified to teach nursery school - 6th grade, English for grades 7-9, and reading for grades K-12.
I am delighted to be here and look forward to being the reading specialist at Academy of Dover for years to come.
When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, reading, singing or listening to music, or just relaxing and enjoying nature.
Photo Galleries
Homework
It is my expectation that all students, whether I work with them or not, read at least 20 minutes each night. This is the best way for students to increase their fluency and expand their vocabulary.
Contact the Teacher
Please contact me anytime at tmccarthy@aod.k12.de.us. I look forward to hearing from you and working with your child!!
Class News
We read many different books in the reading
lab. Here are a few of the current favorites:
I Like Bugs by Margaret Wise Brown
This is a fun book about a favorite topic - bugs! It is full of repetition, alliteration, and wonderful illustrations.
Little Green Riding Hood retold by Gianni Rodari
This is a hilarious twist on the well-known story, Little Red Riding Hood. Its surprising text is wonderful for getting children to pay careful attention to what is actually written on the page, rather than relying on their own expectations of what they think it will say. This story is written in a play format, so the children love reading it in a readers' theater format.
Down the Hill by Arnold Lobel
This story is wonderful for encouraging children to read with expression. They love reading it aloud with different voices and with great expression, especially when Toad realizes he IS all alone & screams out, then...crashes into a tree with a BANG and a THUD!
Don't throw away those old books! Donate them to my classroom or the library!
Links
Classroom Rules and Expectations
All students need to come to my class ready to learn and participate.
On a typical day, students work with me in groups of six or less in 30 minutes increments, three to five times per week. The time your child spends with me is based on the severity of their need.