Tip #3 - Foam letters for blends

You can print out pictures and write a word underneath that is not complete. Students must say the word and identify what letter makes the missing sound and use the foam letter to fill in the missing spot. You can reuse this center over and over for different students, for more practice for the same student, etc. I've done themes like animals or foods or classroom objects.

Tip #1 - Sight Words Pocket Folder

To be able to read with fluency, it helps to know upon recognition the words you are reading. Eventually most words become sight words, but when students are in those early grades (K-3rd), they are still learning to sound out words and learning their first words. It helps to teach them the basic sight words from the Dolch sight word list. One list that works really well is the McGraw Hill/Macmillian list. It's sorted by "need to know" rather than alphabetically. Kids learn 

1.      the

2.      a

3.      that

4.      my

5.      and

6.      is

7.      I

8.      said

9.      you

10.  are

11.  we

12.  have

13.  to

14.  me

15.  do

16.  go

17.  he

18.  for

19.  she

20.  has

21.  of

22.  was

23.  with

24.  not

25.  it

This list goes all the way to 200! Quite useful. Now, on to the tip. No, that wasn't it. That was just the material to teach. The tip is when teaching them, one way to track their progress is get index cards, write the word on it and treat it like a flashcard. Store them and track them by getting a folder (like a filing cabinet folder) and use construction paper to make a pocket on each side of the folder. Make the first pocket, the one on the outside front, red. Then on the inside left, make it yellow, the inside right green and the outside back, blue. Red is for new words, not moving very fast yet. Yellow is for starting to move, starting to learn. Green is going, almost perfect. Blue is storage, just for review, you've conquered the word. Students start with their new word in the red pocket. The next day if they can say it as soon as you show it to them, move it to yellow. If not, keep it in red until they can. Let them move only 1 pocket a day so they have to prove they know it 3 times. When you start the lesson for the day, start by going over the words in red, then go over the words in yellow, etc. You can review all the blue each day or only sometimes, depending on the child's needs and ability to remember long term. Some kids take daily practice for a couple of months to really get it into long term memory. Some know it right away. After reviewing all words currently in folder, introduce the new word and put it into the red pocket. Using this method you can track exactly what words the student is learning and working on. And the student can see and track their own progress. They enjoy counting the cards in "blue" and really try to get all their words moved there!

Teaching and Tutoring Tips Introduction

Hi! I'm a certified teacher with a master's in reading curriculum and instruction. I'm looking for a teaching job and/or students to tutor. In the midst of my job search, one person suggested I start a blog of creative teaching ideas for teachers and parents and homeschool parents. So I will try to regularly, a couple times a month or so, post some fun or creative way to help the students in your care learn! 

If you think this could benefit either you or someone you know, pass the word on to them and become a "follower"!

~ J:-)mi

Ps*1 ~ Also, check out my other blog focused entirely on books at www.ctfdevourer.com