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Phonemic Awareness
Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear and manipulate individual phonemes (sounds). Student have this awareness of sounds in order to move on to phonics, which is sounds and letters combined to form words. It is a foundational skill needed to be able to read. It involves hearing and speaking only. A phoneme is the smallest meaningful…
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Little Library
As retired teachers and avid readers, my husband and I decided that we would put up a little library so our neighbors can find a book, leave a book, and know that it is an option in our part of town. I sit in front of my living room window and watch people walk their…
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Phonics
NOTE: A child may be able to recite the alphabet, but not know the sounds. Phonics is a method of teaching children to read by linking sounds (phonemes) and the symbols that represent them (graphemes, or letter groups). For many students the two skills are too much to tackle at once. Most reading difficulties are a result of a lack…
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Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability. It runs in families. Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. Students with dyslexia usually experience difficulties with other language skills, such as spelling, writing, and pronouncing words. Dyslexia occurs in people of all backgrounds and intellectual levels. People with dyslexia can also have problems…
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My Love of Books
Once I learned to read at the age of five there was no stopping me. I read the back of cereal boxes and the ingredients in every can in the kitchen. I loved rhyming books the most. It was a special treat when my stepfather came home from the grocery store with Archie and Veronica…
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Children’s Books for Visualization
When a child is able to form an image in their mind, it helps them understand what they are reading. It provides a context based on the child’s prior knowledge. Teachers can lead students to visualize by reading aloud and having students either draw what they “see,” write about it, or discuss with a partner.…
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Anybody Home?
A child’s imagination is unlimited and should be encouraged and celebrated. Reading to children and asking questions like, “I wonder what will happen next,” allows them to construct their own scenarios. Children learn through repetition and exposure to a variety of experiences. Books that become familiar are like the foundation of a house. Once a…
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The Power of Books
Begin your collection of children’s books. Make sure you check out your local library book sales, thrift stores, yard sales, online sources.
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Reading Buddies
Children need to practice reading skills by reading aloud. This helps them develop fluency. A child can read to a sibling, a pet, their toys, and even plants. Their reading becomes enjoyable when they have someone or something to share in the experience. When I taught second grade I set up an experiment. My hypothesis…
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Think Aloud Stems
These are sentence stems for various strategies good readers use. Use these to model for students during lessons. Using think alouds is a powerful way to give students strategies they can use when they read independently. ——————————— Teachers can use read alouds to model this powerful comprehension strategy. By sharing their own thinking, they show…
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The Power of Books
This happens to me all the time. Books ignite the imagination and take us on a journey. Here are some books I have read recently and recommend. View post to subscribe to site newsletter.
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Books Anyone?
If you are like many people today you use your cell phone, Ipad or laptop to get updates on news and happenings. I encourage you to make time for reading a book instead. The benefits are worthy of your time and attention. You have heard the phrase, “Use it or lose it.” Well, it applies…
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Comprehension Strategies
Visualization is Powerful ●Tell students to form a movie in their head as they read. ●You can lead them into this by having them draw as you read aloud. ●Use think alouds. However, NONE of these comprehension strategies is taught in a single mini-lesson. It’s impossible to teach visualization in 15 minutes. Rather, plan and deliver numerous mini-lessons across the…
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Summer Reading For KIds
Keep up your child’s reading skills by encouraging them to engage in summer reading. I have collected some books that are fun and good for a read aloud or independent reading. Keep a record of the books they’ve read to share with their teacher in the fall. This is part of a series. The books…
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Free Little Library
I’ve wanted a free library ever since I saw one a few years ago. It was conveniently placed in a yard near the entrance to the beach parking lot near my home. It inspired me to investigate the cost of making one. Inside that little library there were a variety of paperbacks and several children’s…
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I Am a Book Lover
I have been reading more in the last 14 months than I ever have. Being the owner of at least fifty books that been collecting dust, I kept promising myself I would use the pandemic as an opportunity to catch up on my reading. I am glad to report that I completed almost every book.…
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Book Videos
Outstanding story about overcoming fear. The Emperor’s Egg video Learn about Emperor penguins in this delightful, informative book.View post to subscribe to site newsletter.
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Free Online Reading Sites for students
Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover Live Khalifa and Amal http://pardot.eblireads.com/l/835013/2020-03-13/8sfm https://pebblego.com/ https://www.getepic.com/?utm_channel=searchu0026amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAkJKCBhAyEiwAKQBCkvuLaEZjQhj6SG97wjxb5OolcY-uNNlU-26QO_2ntGH9UspTTMyFmRoCWlAQAvD_BwE https://www.freechildrenstories.com https://www.justbooksreadaloud.com https://monkeypen.com/pages/free-stories-for-kids **********************************************************************************
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Learning Apps
Due to the pandemic, teachers and parents are scrambling to provide educational opportunities to children. I compiled a list of great learning apps. It is my hope that they help during this difficult time. I compiled a list of great learning apps: Learn With Homer Price: Free Grade level: Pre-K, K Skill: Comprehension, Phonics Device:…
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CLOSE READING
Close reading is thoughtful, critical analysis of a text that focuses on significant details or patterns in order to develop a deep, precise understanding of the text’s form, craft, meanings, etc. It is a key requirement of the Common Core State Standards and directs the reader’s attention to the text itself. The skills gained from close reading help…
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Reading FLUENCY
Repeated readings help students with fluently. Make 2 copies of a page of text . Put them in clear plastic sleeves. Set timer for one minute. Go over errors. •Fluency is the ability to read a text accurately, quickly, and with expression •A fluent reader reads smoothly and is interesting to listen to. Ways to Foster…
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