Reading
Accuracy
On the "sounding out" of words
"Sounding out" is a phrase often used to describe a strategy for solving words, however, it is very difficult to do and quite often, not a reliable strategy. Consider how difficult and confusing it is for children to read the following high-frequency words sound by sound:
Card said they play with look come here
So we must help our children learn, and automatically try more reliable strategies. Here are some of the common strategies we use early on in reading development that can better help you support your children at home while reading together.
Small words in big words.mp4Finding small words within big words- mini lesson
using finger to break words apart.MOVBreaking words apart
In this guided reading lesson, I prompt the student to use her finger to isolate a couple of sounds. When using this strategy, have the student blend the sounds together, make sure they do not isolate each individual sound. Blending a couple of sounds together gives the reader a lot more information about what the word may be and can often lead to them predicting a word that makes sense and the confirming the word by double checking the letters in the middle and at the end of the word.
Fluency
reading for punctuation.MOVReading for punctuation
A lot of meaning can be lost when students do not respond to punctuation as they read. Read the sentence below without pausing at the comma.
"Look at the snowman Billy", said dad.
you can see how easily meaning can be lost when students fail to read for punctuation. This can then impact comprehension (the understanding of the story).