Literacy k-2

How can I support my child when reading at home?

Red Words- We will be referring to "sight words" as "RED words." We teach RED words to early readers so they can easily identify words in text and improve upon their fluency. However, these words often break common English spelling rules and therefore must be explicitly taught. These words cannot be sounded out. Learning to read them and spell them will help learners to correctly apply these words to writing. Please click the Red Word Practice link below to help your child review their words each day.

Red Word Practice 

Green Words- are words that can be sounded out (decoded). These words will be in bold. Please practice red words and decodable words daily. These are the weekly example words students receive for their spelling rule.

Hand visual to practice finger tapping

              For students who write with their RIGHT hand.                            For students who write with their LEFT hand.

When students are learning to decode, they focus on words with 3 sounds (CVC words).

• The middle sound (yellow) will always be a short vowel sound (a -sad, e- bed, i-sit, o- hop, u-rug).

• As they say each sound in the word, they should:

  • Tap the corresponding finger on the table. and put the sounds together to make the words. Each letter sound gets tapped. Additional ideas for practice:

• For example: CVC word- sad

  • Say the first sound, /s/ and tap your “green” finger on the table.

  • Say the second sound, /a/ and tap your “yellow” finger on the table.

  • Say the last sound, /d/ and tap your “red” finger on the table.

  • Blend the word together, and say “sad”.

Blending Strip

For students who are having difficulty finger tapping, this strip can be used with their pointer finger as an alternative to the whole-hand finger tapping.

Additional Ideas for Decodable Word Practice

1. Use letter tiles to make a word. Then, change one letter at a time to make new words.

Examples:

• cat → bat

• pat → pit

• can → tan

• will → well

2. Use refrigerator magnets to make words. Remember to sound each letter out! You can even write letters on index cards and move them around.

Make Practicing Red Words Fun!

• Build the Red Word using different objects (clay, rocks, etc.)

• Find the Red Word (in a book, outside, etc.)

• Play Red Word Go Fish

• Play Red Word Tic-Tac-Toe

• Write the Red Word in rainbow colors