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Parent/Caregiver Support

Home Reading Materials

By Jenni vanRees & the Blue Heron team Last updated 2025/08/22

Description

Fostering partnerships between school and home is key to supporting strong student outcomes. Jenni vanRees and other educators at Blue Heron Public School (WRDSB) have created this collection of materials to support a home reading program aligned with structured literacy and the science of reading. The materials include:

  • a letter home to parents and caregivers
  • a bookmark with comprehension questions for discussion
  • home practice materials for kindergarten students
  • an example folder (with “I Can Read” and “Read Together” sections) and label templates
  • a video to explain the program

Curriculum Connection

To develop strong foundational language and literacy skills, students need consistent practice. These materials support educators to empower parents and caregivers to support language and literacy development.
Grade(s): K 1 2
Topic(s): Applying PhonicsComprehensionPhonemic AwarenessWord-Level Reading and Spelling
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5 Comments

  1. Out of curiousity, what days was this folder sent home and then returned on? I know individual teachers may have their preferences, but as a general ideas, what would you suggest?

    Also, would you suggest including the current UFLI decodable text the whole class is working on (grade 1) or keep it specifically to what you are working on in a small targeted reading group with the kiddo?

    1. Hi Terra,
      We did it weekly at our school. I kept it simple and if students brought their “read with someone” books back earlier, I let them choose another book, but we only put something on the “I can read” once a week (so you’re not constantly trying to fill it up).

      For the “I can read” passages, I would put in texts that the student can read independently -something you know they can do by themselves, but this gives them a little extra practice. 🙂 Choosing the small group reading passages would probably be better for those you’re working with. On that side, the text might be a whole passage, a few sentences or maybe word lists (like a roll and read). You could always include the whole class text on the “read with someone” for those who need a little more support with that one.

  2. This looks INCREDIBLE. As a Kindergarten teacher always looking for ways to foster a love of reading and encourage families to support their children with their reading at home, this is an amazing resource! Thank you for sharing. I can’t wait to use it in my class this year.

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