Dear Parents,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you may know, this term your 5th grade student in the Bilingual Program will be reading The Indian in the Cupboard<\/em> by Lynne Reid Banks. 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 Lynne Reid Banks\u2019s novel, The Indian in the Cupboard<\/em>, has been sparking the imaginations of young readers for decades. It has earned the Arizona Young Readers Award, 1989, California Young Reader Medal, 1985 and Massachusetts Children\u2019s Book Award, 1988 amongst others. Educators have consistently used this novel to enhance understanding of historical context while at the same time presenting a book that remains relatable and accessible to young readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Indian in the Cupboard\u2018s<\/em> engaging storyline centers around the magical relationship between Omri, a young Brit and Little Bear, an Iroquois warrior, keeping students motivated to read while introducing new vocabulary in a meaningful context. The novel\u2019s clear language and descriptive writing help improve comprehension skills, while the themes of responsibility, cultural understanding, and friendship encourage critical thinking and empathy. Additionally, the novel\u2019s imaginative premise allows students to explore creativity while practicing their English skills through discussions and writing activities. Overall, it combines language development with social-emotional learning in a way that is both enjoyable and educational for young readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your child may encounter challenges with The Indian in the Cupboard<\/em> due to its use of descriptive language, cultural references, and historical context. Words and phrases describing Little Bear\u2019s lifestyle or Omri\u2019s emotions might be unfamiliar, requiring extra explanation. Additionally, understanding the cultural and historical differences between the characters may be complex for young learners. Due to the setting the novel includes expressions and language usage that may be unfamiliar to students. In the classroom, teachers address these challenges by using context clues, class discussions, and activities like creating a glossary of terms or role-playing scenes to deepen understanding. Parents can help by discussing unfamiliar vocabulary and encouraging their child to ask questions about the story. They can also support comprehension by summarizing chapters together or encouraging their child to retell key events, helping reinforce understanding and language skills. Engaging with your child in these ways can make the reading experience smoother and more rewarding.<\/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","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Lynne Reid Banks Dear Parents, As you may know, this term your 5th grade student in the Bilingual Program will be reading The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks. This will not be an adapted or abridged text, but rather the original work of American young adult literature. We\u2019d like to give […]<\/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-9653","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?<\/strong><\/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