Principal's Message

Ask any teacher at any school, “What is the most important skill a child can ever learn?”  Invariably, I think, you’d find their answer will be reading.  As students progress through elementary school, they gradually move from learning to read to reading to learn. From about the 4^th grade on, students depend on their reading skills to learn in every content area. The better reader they are, the more successful they will be in school. 

                La Mariposa has developed a thorough reading instruction program that begins in Kindergarten, and continues through the 5^th grade. Students first learn the letters and the sounds they make and by the time they leave the 5^th grade, students can read and analyze complex texts.  This is an amazing feat and is accomplished only through the hard work of the student, teacher, and parent.

                Yes, you, the parent.  Students know that when they are in school they read often.  If your child saw his teacher reading in a bookstore, that might not be a surprise.  Your child expects her teacher to be a reader.  Would your child be surprised to find you reading?  In general, students who are read to at home, and who read with their parents are far more successful in school. When was the last time you read to or with your child?  When was the last time you showed interest by asking them about what they’ve read?

 If you had to think hard to answer the last two questions, then I have a challenge for you: during the Thanksgiving break, find a time to sit and read with your child.  You can take turns reading sentences, paragraphs, or pages (depending on their age, of course).  Along the way, ask questions about the text, and watch closely how your child reads; you’ll be amazed, even as they struggle with difficult or new words.  If your child is old enough to read chapter books, borrow the book and read it ahead of your child (or buy two copies of a new book at the Book Fair J). That way you’ll be more able to discuss what you read. After reading, ask your child questions. Click herefor a list of questions to help you get started.

When you read to or with your child, you are communicating many things.  First, you are showing your child that you care enough about them to take time out of your busy day to just sit, read, and talk with them.  Furthermore, you’ll be modeling for your child the importance and fun of reading.  I believe that you, too, will find great joy when you read with your child. It is, after all, the most important skill they can ever learn.