Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to 
common questions.

1. How do teachers determine a child's reading level?
2. Do you teach phonics at Woodruff Primary?
3. How can I help my child be prepared for school?
4. Why is it important to offer choices to children?

How do teachers determine a child's reading level?

In order to determine a child's instructional 
reading level, we administer the Developmental 
Reading Assessment (DRA). The DRA is administered 
on an individual basis. The instructional reading 
level is identified as 90% accuracy on the running 
record with a score of 16 on the comprehension 
rubric.

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Do you teach phonics at Woodruff Primary?

We spend approximately 15 minutes on explicit 
phonics instruction each day. We emphasize the 
connection of phonics to the children's reading and 
writing. Our phonics program is based upon "Phonics 
Lessons" by Fountas and Pinnell.

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How can I help my child be prepared for school?

Read, read, read! Reading to your child is the 
single, most important thing you can do to prepare 
him/her for school. Make reading fun for your 
little one. Hold your child close to you. Read with 
expression in your voice. Change voices as 
different characters are speaking. 

Discuss the story with your child. Ask your son or 
daughter what they expect to happen next in the 
story (predict, infer). Make connections with 
previous experiences as you read (background 
knowledge). Discuss how this book is similar or 
different from other books (compare/contrast). Have 
the child retell the story. Talk about what 
happened first, next, and last in the book 
(sequence). 

Most of all...have fun with your child and books. 
And don't forget to visit the library or book 
stores together. Make reading a treat...a time your 
child looks forward to. It is a wonderful gift to 
give your child. He/she will reap the rewards for a 
lifetime.

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Why is it important to offer choices to children?

Choices stimulate the higher centers of the brain 
(prefrontal lobes). It is important to develop 
these areas of the brain because these areas are 
responsible for problem solving. We want our 
children to be excellent at problem solving. 
Problem solving is important in math, reading, 
science, and social studies...all subjects. It is 
also critical for our social-emotional development. 
Children must be able to solve problems during 
social conflicts.

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