Focus for: (May 4th - May 11th):

Decoding 2 syllable words with a year review on:

short vowels, open/closed syllables, Floss rule, WH/CK sounds, magic e, suffixes,

L&R blends, bossy r and vowel team words.

Weekly Practice

Scholars practice everything they have learned through the year!
Scholars should practice their sentence work by following swag and reading high frequency words.
Reading with your scholar each day for 20 minutes builds up not only their vocabulary but fluency in words!

Spelling Quiz Practice

(words are for practice and are not all the same as on quiz. The goal is to be fluent, not memorize)

Spelling Quiz:

Thursday, May 11th

Practice #1-5 words in first before moving to #6-10.

*Not all words are similar to those on spelling quiz*

Spelling Quiz Practice

1. heat 6. seatbelt
2. keep 7. thunder
3. tribe 8. Monday
4. gaining 9.snowball
5. nightlight 10.costume

But Ms. Higa, why does the words for practice sometimes not match the quiz?

You're absolutely right, they are not! In class, scholars learn the phonemic foundation to segment, blend, read and spell words. Scholars cannot do that if they are constantly memorizing words. Instead we teach them to sound out each piece so they can continue to increase their phonemic strength and literacy. We noticed scholars could memorize words, but could not spell or write them down to make a sentence. When they were introduced to newer words, they had a difficult time reading them. That is why the words on the quiz and the words above will not always be the same. We want scholars to sound, segment and use the phonemic tools we have given them.

Ms Higa, I still need more information on what this all means! Why can't my child just memorize the words?

Sure! Here are some links I think you would find most helpful regarding this!

Sentence Work

Scholars are working on writing sentences with things they have learned through the year. Challenge your scholar to listen to a sentence you say, and see if they can write it.

Every sentence has swag.

Check out the picture resource to the right for help!

Scholars can write word sentences with:

Short vowels
2-syllables
Open syllables
Closed syllables
Floss Rule
Magic E sounds
WH sounds
CK sounds
L&R blends
Suffixes
Bossy r
Vowel teams

Fluency

Listen to your scholar read from the decodable Sentence.

How fluent can they read?

Use the table to the right.

Additional Resources

How do I know how my child is doing in foundational skills?

Easy! Test their knowledge!

1. Give them practice spelling quizzes from the practice words above. Are they struggling with sounds and letters? Can they master it fluently?
2. String words together as you speak. When you are having dinner and say "Can you pass the S--A--L--T?" Can they blend the sounds you say?
3. Help them add letters and take away letters to make words. For example, say something like, "If grandpa's name is 'B--E--N' and we take out the 'B---' what would that say? Then say, "If we add a 'D--' instead, what would that say now?"

When you incorporate reading into every day things, it becomes something fun and regular for them. It also gives them multi-diverse experiences to read and learn words.