Dear Parents,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you may know, this term your 4th grade student in the Bilingual Program will be reading Sideways Stories from Wayside School<\/em> by Louis Sachar. This will not be an adapted or abridged text, but rather the original work of American young adult literature. We\u2019d like to give you some background about the novel, mention the benefits and challenges from the students\u2019 point of view, and also make suggestions for how you could help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reading in any language expands the mind and helps us explore vital topics and real-life situations, all the while allowing students to develop their comprehension skills, critical thinking capabilities and complexity of thought both in general and also in that specific language. Indeed, research indicates that reading skills directly relate to future academic and professional success. It can help students gain a deeper understanding of context and why characters \u2013 and people \u2013 make the choices they do. Reading also helps build independence and self-confidence and has a positive effect on the development of empathy as well as concentration. Finally, reading is a major resource for using and understanding language \u2013 including grammatical structure, lexical knowledge and writing skills. Not only can students pick up new words, but reading them in an authentic context can also help students understand the subtle nuances of the lexis that was chosen by the author. The same is true when we process the plot and character development through the linguistic structures employed by the author \u2013 helping students understand a variety of uses \u201cin the linguistic wild\u201d, as it were. All in all, reading in any language develops skills that are essential for each student\u2019s continuing studies and life in general. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sideways Stories from Wayside School <\/em>is the debut novel by award-winning author Louis Sachar, who has been captivating young readers with his imaginative and engaging stories for nearly 50 years. The Wayside School series has become a beloved classic, widely used by teachers and parents to inspire and engage children, including even the most reluctant readers. Its unique structure, with each chapter serving as a standalone story, makes it an accessible and less overwhelming choice for young readers transitioning to chapter books, and therefore an ideal transition from the Learning A to Z component of our reading program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sideways Stories from Wayside School<\/em> by Louis Sachar offers several benefits for students by providing a fun and engaging way to improve their English skills. The book’s short, humorous chapters introduce a variety of quirky characters, such as Mrs. Gorf, the strict teacher with unusual methods, and Todd, a well-meaning student who always seems to get in trouble. Each chapter presents a unique story filled with wordplay and silly situations that make learning vocabulary and idiomatic expressions enjoyable. The unpredictable events that occur encourage curiosity and critical thinking. The book\u2019s playful tone and repetitive patterns help reinforce language structures while keeping students entertained and motivated to read even more. Additionally, the relatable school setting and themes of friendship, problem-solving, and kindness make it easy for young readers to connect with the story and discuss their own experiences in class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some students may need extra encouragement since understanding the book’s humor, wordplay, and idiomatic expressions may not make complete sense to them. Additionally, the frequent use of puns and jokes can make it difficult for students to grasp the intended meaning. Parents can support their children by reading the book together and discussing the characters and events in simple terms to ensure comprehension. They can encourage their child to visualize the story by relating scenes to similar experiences they\u2019ve had. Parents can also ask questions about the story to check comprehension and encourage their child to share their thoughts and favorite parts. Just showing enthusiasm and making reading a fun, pressure-free activity will help build confidence and motivation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Please let us know if you have further questions. We would like to thank you for your support in helping your child keep up with his or her chapter-by-chapter reading assignments at home. Finally, we hope your son or daughter learns from this novel and, most importantly, enjoys reading it! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Best regards: Anthony Laudadio, Head of Education \u2013 Primary & High Schools<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Louis Sachar Dear Parents, As you may know, this term your 4th grade student in the Bilingual Program will be reading Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar. This will not be an adapted or abridged text, but rather the original work of American young adult literature. We\u2019d like to give you some […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-9580","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhy is it important for my child to read in English?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why was this novel chosen?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are the benefits of this novel?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the challenges?\/How can I as a parent help? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n