Connections

This week, as classes listened to stories or chapters of books, we learned about the mental connections good readers make as they read. Sometimes a book reminds the reader of a personal experience - this is called a text-to-self connection. Often a story reminds the reader of another book. This type of connection is called text-to-text. Finally, the reader may be reminded of something that has gone on in the town, the country, or the world. This is a text-to-world connection.

Younger children listened to a new book called The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania Al Abdullah. It's the story of a two school-age friends who have a disagreement about their respective lunches. There were many text-to-self connections as children shared about favorite sandwiches or times they have disagreed with friends or siblings. Aiden made a text-to-text connection between this book and Yoko by Rosemary Wells, where the main character is misunderstood and teased because she has sushi for lunch. Finally, there were several text-to-world connections made between story and the way countries sometimes disagree so much they go to war.

As you read a book or listen to a story at home, think of and talk about all the connections you can make! It's challenging and it's fun - and it's what good readers do!