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Should We Practice Sight Words With Preschoolers?

Should We Practice Sight Words With Preschoolers?

Preschool: a place for show & tell, songs, coloring books, and learning how to read. If you’re the parent or educator of beginning readers, you might be wondering: should we teach reading, and more specifically, “sight words” in preschool? And if you’re entirely new to preschool education, it’s just as acceptable to ask: what are sight words?

 

Today, we’ll use experts’ advice to answer these questions, offer strategies for practicing sight words, and outline the best sight words for preschool and kindergarten classrooms.

practicing sight words

What Are Sight Words?

Sight words can be recognized instantly: they’re simple words that a reader can “see” and pronounce without sounding out or guessing. An early reader’s set of sight words will vary slightly, as every preschooler or kindergartner is exposed to different books and varied sets of sight words. That said, most sight words are high frequency words that appear regularly in many children’s books. Think “the,” “a,”, “I,” “to,” and other words that aren’t easily sounded out but appear regularly in decodable books.

 

When to Teach Sight Words

Before practicing sight words with preschoolers, they should be showing signs of reading readiness:

  • Holding books and turning their pages correctly, from left to right
  • Ability to listen to a story, answer questions about it, and retell a familiar narrative in their own words
  • Alphabet knowledge: ability to recognize and sound out most letters
  • Phonemic awareness!

 

The final point is especially important. Learning to read is not simply a matter of practicing sight words. Before presenting a list of words to your preschooler or kindergartner, they should have a solid foundation in phonemic awareness: the ability to sound out the individual sounds in words. A preschooler who can blend simple sounds - /c/ /a/ /t/ to produce the word “cat,” for example - may be more prepared to memorize a list of preschool reading words than a kindergartner who is not as advanced in their phonemic awareness. In the realm of sight words, patience is key: your kindergartner may be more advanced than your struggling first grader, and this is simply part of the reading journey - not a determinant of either child’s long-term reading success.

practicing sight words with preschoolers

What Are the Best Sight Words?

With time and exposure to more books, young readers will develop their phonemic awareness. They’ll be able to count syllables in words, rhyme, and identify the first and last sounds in a word. At this point, you can craft or modify a list of the best sight words. These lists vary among reading experts and can also be modified to include high-frequency words in any decodables you plan to read with your child. That said, some of the best kindergarten sight words include:

  • Can
  • Am
  • Are
  • At
  • Do
  • For
  • Go
  • Has
  • Have
  • He

 

…Just to list a few! Note that these lists can be modified and expanded based on the needs and skills of the child. For pre-K or “pre-readers,” Readsters recommends these preschool reading words:

  • The
  • A
  • I
  • To
  • And
  • Was
  • For
  • You
  • Is
  • of

 

Like any skill, a mix of repetition and learning new concepts is essential. If your child is reading-ready, practicing sight words on a daily basis will enhance their reading fluency, phonemic awareness, and overall confidence.

Should We Practice Sight Words With Preschoolers

Take-Aways

  • Sight words can be used to increase reading fluency in a child who is ready to read.
  • Signs of reading readiness include understanding how to hold and read a book from left to right, alphabet knowledge, ability to listen to and retell stories, and phonemic awareness.
  • Phonemic awareness is an especially important foundation to establish before practicing sight words with preschool- and kindergarten-aged students.
  • The best sight words for early readers will vary depending on their skills and access to decodable readers, but many experts offer lists of the best high-frequency words for pre-readers.

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How To Choose Decodable Readers for First Grade

How To Choose Decodable Readers for First Grade

To decode or not to decode: really, there is no question. To help rising first graders become successful and enthusiastic readers this summer, decodable readers are essential reading resources. Although “decodable text” might sound like yet another form of educational lingo, parents and educators can rest assured: decodable texts are actually a simple way to guide young learners toward independent reading.

choose decodable readers for first grade

What Is Decodable Text?

First, let’s revisit one of the fundamentals of early reading: contrary to past belief, most children learn how to read with a systematic and structured literacy curriculum that gradually stretches their reading capabilities with phonics and decoding lessons, spelling activities, and decodable text.

 

Decodable text, decodables, and decodable readers are all synonymous. These books are written with phonics patterns that students have already learned in phonics lessons, either at school or via online phonics programs like Reading Teacher. True to their name, decodable books facilitate the process of decoding: therefore, their simple stories feature the letter-sound patterns that students learned during explicit and systematic phonics lessons. As you read more decodables, you’ll find that they are organized by phonics patterns: for example, a first grade phonics book might focus explicitly on the short letter “a” sound, with words such as “bat,” “cat”, and “rat.” This focused approach allows young readers to gradually learn new phonetic patterns and develop a true feeling of reading success.

decodable readers for first grade

1st Grade Decodable Books

At Reading Teacher, we know that feeling successful is key for any first grader learning to read. For both parents and educators, there are numerous decodable readers for first grade that emphasize the dynamic duo of early reading: phonics and decoding. If you’re looking for a decodable reader for your first grader,  keep the following tips in mind when searching for the best decodable books.

 

  1. Focus on one-syllable words.

Most first grade classrooms focus on blending or breaking apart each sound of most one-syllable words. When choosing a decodable reader for first grade students, make sure to focus on one-syllable words before progressing to more challenging letter-sound combinations.

 

  1. Read words with long vowel sounds.

Reading teachers often say that long vowels “say their name.” In the world of phonics and decoding, long vowels can be tricky to understand due the sheer number of spellings for each long vowel sound. 1st grade decodable books that feature one of the 7 long vowel sounds - for example, the “oo” sound in the words “spoon,” “blue,” “screw,” and “you” - are an excellent choice.

 

  1. Make some noise about the silent “e.”

Once your first grader has conquered the simpler steps of decoding, it’s time to sound out more complex words, such as those that end with a silent “e.” The summer can be an excellent time to challenge rising first graders with more complicated and plot-driven decodable texts that stretch their reading skills and their imaginations.

 

Whether you’re a parent or teacher, our Reading Teacher program is an ideal resource for practicing these tips. Modeled after the I See Sam decodable book series, our program similarly highlights decodable words in each of its interactive stories. Each decodable word is clickable, which enables children to hear the words as they read the story. Wherever they are in their reading journey, we’re here to help your child progress from phonics and decoding lessons to lifelong, independent, and joy-filled reading.

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Take-Aways:

  • Decoding is a foundational skill for first graders learning to read.
  • Decodable readers for first grade are essential resources for any first grade classroom or parent.
  • 1st grade decodable books should focus on developmentally-appropriate reading skills and phonics lessons: most notably, one-syllable words, long vowel sounds, and a few more complicated decoding and phonics patterns such as the silent “e.”

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Access Level 1’s four interactive stories and the accompanying supplemental resources to teach elementary students how to read. No credit card is needed. Join the 42,635 teachers and students using our reading program.

Summertime = Reading Time: 4 Summer Reading Ideas for Families

Summertime = Reading Time: 4 Summer Reading Ideas for Families

At Reading Teacher, summertime is reading time. In any family with young readers, parents often wonder how they can reframe summer as an opportunity for young readers to read more - and with more confidence, skill, and enthusiasm! Of course, this is no small challenge - but with our 4 tips for summer reading success, you’ll be swapping out summer sun for hours of summer reading.

summer reading ideas for children

Summer Reading Ideas

 

1. Join your library summer reading program

It’s time to stop by the local library and befriend your librarian. Across the U.S., hundreds of libraries organize summer reading programs that encourage young readers to meet their reading goals. In addition to summer reading, many libraries are also crucial resources for providing nutrition assistance to families in need. Between reading and summer lunches, libraries are true gems in any community’s social fabric. And if you’re dealing with an especially picky reader, librarians are nothing short of magic: by chatting with a youngster about their niche interests and hobbies, librarians can direct them toward the book of their dreams.

 

2. Make your family’s summer reading list

‘Tis the season to build a fort in the living room and hunker down for some serious summer reading. Consider compiling a summer reading list for your kids to jumpstart your very own summer reading club. Whether your kiddos are in elementary, middle, or high school, the entire family can engage in your summer reading club. Make it extra fancy with summer snacks and beverages, and be open to your kids’ book suggestions: with the rise of #BookTok and other literary social media outlets, children’s tech knowledge is invaluable when trying to identify the family’s first summer read.

reading ideas in Summer
3. Read everything!

When brainstorming summer reading ideas, many reading experts stress the importance of allowing children to follow their natural interests. Graphic novels, magazines, and other “unconventional” texts are just as valid as a hefty nonfiction novel. In any summer reading program, the goal is to cultivate a natural love for reading. Consider graphic series, comics, and other nontraditional reads that can be added to your family’s summer reading list.

 

4. Use reading technology to your advantage

It’s 2022, which means that screens are everywhere. Use them to support your family’s summer reading goals by finding audio books, TV shows and movies inspired by your child’s favorite books, and even podcasts created for kids to hear and discuss other kids’ literary favs. Some expert recommendations include Book Club for Kids and this handy list of TV shows based on books. The science of reading supports the use of reading technology, and particularly in the summertime when children tend to be less exposed to phonics, spelling activities, and other structured literacy components of early reading.

summer reading ideas

Take-Aways:

  • Summer is an opportunity for families to connect with and support their children through reading.
  • Joining your library’s summer reading program, creating a family reading list, and using reading technology such as podcasts, audiobooks, and film are all easy and affordable ways to cultivate a love for reading at home.
  • This summer, families are also encouraged to branch out and explore alternative forms of summer reading, such as graphic novels and comics, that can satisfy even the pickiest reader.

Start Teaching Reading for Free Now!

Access Level 1’s four interactive stories and the accompanying supplemental resources to teach elementary students how to read. No credit card is needed. Join the 42,635 teachers and students using our reading program.

Training Teachers On the Science of Reading: How Do Teachers Really Feel?

Training Teachers On the Science of Reading: How Do Teachers Really Feel?

It takes a lot to teach a child how to read. Pile on mandatory training requirements to any teacher’s workload, and educators are bound to feel overwhelmed - particularly in the aftermath of virtual learning loss. On-the-ground reflections from Utah educators give U.S. teachers - and parents - an insight into the teacher side of science of reading training, and how this training is affecting U.S. classrooms in real-time.

Teachers Training

In Utah, KUER Public Radio recently interviewed third grade teacher Cassie White, who initially felt that her school district’s new teacher training requirement would be a “waste of time.” Yet to White’s surprise, Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) provided her science of reading-approved lessons that she could immediately implement in her classroom, along with research-driven training videos and reading tests. White’s school, Centennial Elementary, mandated a new teacher training program in January 2021; the science of reading-approved materials were intended to boost reading scores, noting that approximately 25% of the district’s students read below grade level reading milestones. While it’s difficult to quantify the impact of teachers’ LETRS training on their students’ reading outcomes, White says that her students are making visible progress: around three-quarters of her class achieved above or above-average growth on their 2021 end-of-the-year reading tests.

 

In spite of these anecdotal achievements, it’s important to note that retraining teachers on the science of reading - and tracking long-term student reading progress - will take time, effort, buy-in from educators, and, inevitably, money. Utah used a portion of its 2021 federal COVID funding to retrain 8,000 teachers with LETRS, and the state will allocate an additional $20 million this year. In addition to basic training on the science of reading, federal funding for states who are recommitting to students’ literacy success will fund more literacy coaches in classrooms, as well as the process of gathering experts to oversee and evaluate the overall success of science-driven reading curricula.

Teachers training program

Fundamentally, LETRS and other science of reading programs recognize the importance of breaking down words and linking letters to their sounds. These programs redirect focus to the 3 elements of a word: sound (phonemes), letters and letter combinations (graphemes), and the overall meaning. As invaluable as phoneme-grapheme mapping activities are in the classroom, teachers’ newfound knowledge may not go far without opportunities to give and receive feedback on their reading instruction. This sentiment is upheld by the University of Utah Reading Clinic, which is committed to creating more spaces for teachers to learn about the science of reading and observe other trained teachers. As more states move to give teachers the knowledge they need - and desire - to improve students’ reading outcomes, recent insights from Utah-based educators remind us that we can’t simply dump knowledge of teachers and continue moving. To see true reading success in the classroom, teachers need - and deserve - opportunities to retrain on the science of reading and observe teachers in action, increasing their confidence to act on their own.

science of reading

Take-Aways:

  • Utah is one of 18 U.S. states that has allocated federal COVID relief funds toward retraining teachers on the science of reading.
  • While some teachers express concerns about having enough time and energy to complete required trainings, many school districts report positive impacts on their reading instruction and students’ reading scores since requiring teacher training.
  • In addition to LETRS and other science of reading training programs, teachers will likely need support from a combination of high-impact classroom tutors, reading coaches, and opportunities to exchange feedback with other educators.

Start Teaching Reading for Free Now!

Access Level 1’s four interactive stories and the accompanying supplemental resources to teach elementary students how to read. No credit card is needed. Join the 42,635 teachers and students using our reading program.

The Science of Spelling

The Science of Spelling

These days, we talk a lot about phonics - but what about spelling? In many elementary schools and school districts, the old fashioned spelling bee has returned as a means of fostering both spelling skills and healthy competition among aspiring readers and writers. Inspired by the resurgence of the spelling bee and Wordle, we dive into the latest research on spelling activities and their importance for young readers.

science of spelling

Spelling Lessons for Kindergarten & 1st Grade

 

Among researchers, the findings are clear: combining explicit spelling and phonics instruction is essential for early readers. Both cognitive psychology and neuroscience researchers have found that spelling is a crucial component of the brain’s reading architecture. Through spelling activities, children learn to map the sounds of words to their letters in spoken language. Compared to simply eyeing the letters, spelling requires more long-term memory and a deeper level of analysis to successfully sound out and write a word at the same time.

 

In a fluent reader of any language, the brain integrates spelling and visualization of phonics patterns to achieve “automaticity”: the ability to read and comprehend fluently, and to spell with relative ease. The English language has an especially complex reading map, which typically requires around two years of word study in kindergarten and first grade before students amass a vocabulary of around 300+ words that they read and spell automatically. This process aligns with the research of developmental cognitive scientist Linnea Ehri, who wrote that “learning to read and learning to spell are one and the same, almost” (Ehri, 1997).

 

The “almost” lies in the code of orthography. Spelling requires students to actively use the “orthographic code,” which is cracked when readers learn how to write using the correct order of letters according to their accepted usage. Compared to reading, which only requires the pronunciation of a word, spelling presents the dual challenge of writing letters in their correct sequence. As students learn to spell, they learn how to break down words into their sounds and map individual letters or “chunks” to the corresponding sounds. They also develop phoneme awareness and letter knowledge, which Hulme et al. highlighted as two key steps for children learning to read.

reading book

A 2022 Danish study recently endorsed the importance of integrating spelling activities and phonics, even for students who have not yet achieved grade-level reading milestones. The researchers found that early spelling activities were associated with significant gains in phoneme awareness, spelling, and reading, compared to classrooms in the “phonics alone” condition or those in the “business-as-usual” condition. Similar results are mirrored across a range of languages and for students experiencing difficulties with early reading; for English learners, researchers similarly found that spell-to-read activities enhance the brain’s reading architecture and ultimately boost their phoneme awareness.

 

Spelling Games and Resources

 

If you’re looking for more spelling ideas and activities to enhance your structured literacy classroom, we have a few recommendations:

 

  1. Baseball Spelling, which uses baseball terminology to reinforce your weekly spelling words
  2. Stair Steps, an easy DIY spelling game that helps students memorize the way words are spelled
  3. Sensory Spelling, which utilizes a range of unusual materials - sand, shaving cream, wood Scrabble letters, you name it - to encourage spelling words in exciting, sensory ways

 

Keep reading, keep spelling, and come back next week for the latest reading resources to support the young readers in your life.

science of reading

Take-Aways:

  • Based on reading science research, both spelling activities and explicit phonics instruction are essential for early readers.
  • Due to its reliance on long-term memory and the orthographic code, spelling presents a greater challenge to the reading brain.
  • When students learn to spell in their spoken language, they are positioned to read and write more fluently and confidently, particularly if structured spelling lessons are taught from kindergarten through first grade.

Start Teaching Reading for Free Now!

Access Level 1’s four interactive stories and the accompanying supplemental resources to teach elementary students how to read. No credit card is needed. Join the 42,635 teachers and students using our reading program.

How to Teach Phonics to Your First Grader

How to Teach Phonics to Your First Grader

Phonics is an essential building block of reading skills. It’s also one of the most challenging parts of teaching a first grade. That’s because reading and writing skills develop at different rates in each child. For example, some children learn letter sounds earlier than others. Some take longer to decode words. Some have a harder time following directions. Teach phonics to a child is a challenging, especially for parents who are new to the homeschooling lifestyle. However, with a little preparation, you can make teaching reading skills to your first grader fun and rewarding.

 

In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to teach your first grader how to read. We’ll also discuss how to teach them how to read phonetically. Once your child has a firm understanding of it, you can work on teaching them how to read phonetically.

 

Teaching your homeschooled child how to read is no different than teaching any other subject. You just have to make sure you take the time to teach them. Even if they’re in first grade.

 

Why Teach Phonics to a Homeschooled Child?

 

tech phonicsThe majority of children learn how to read at a very young age. However, some children learn at a much later age. This can be frustrating for parents and teachers. You might even consider an additional reading intervention. While all of this is certainly understandable, you must remember that reading is a complex skill.

 

Understanding how your child learns, as well as their current skill level, will help you decide when to introduce phonics to them. You’ll also have a better understanding of how to best teach your child so they can catch up and be on even grounds with their peers.

 

The advantage of teaching your child phonics at a younger age is that they are more likely to retain what you teach them. Furthermore, it will be easier for your child to “decode” words when they begin to read on their own.

 

So, why teach your first grader how to read phonics? Let’s discuss.

 

Help Your First Grader Understand the How

 

When you start to teach your first grader how to read, you will want to make sure they understand the “how.”. You can do this by explaining to them what reading is and how it helps them become smarter.

 

Reading is a powerful way for your child to gain knowledge and understand the world around them. Reading, as we all know, is communication. It requires your child to pull from their own experiences as well as the experiences of others.

 

When reading, your child is decoding written words. This means that they are breaking down the letters into sounds. Once your child can “read” the words, they can use what they’ve learned to make sense of what the words mean.

For example, let’s say your child is reading the word “dog.” They might notice that the “g” in “dog” is similar to the “k” in “kat.” So, your child might make the connection between the “g” in “dog” and “k” in “kitten.”

 

This is how reading affects your child’s brain. It allows them to build knowledge and store information. It also gives your child something to think about. This will help them stay focused during school hours, as well as improve their attention span.

 

Teach Your Child the Basics of Phonics

 

When it comes to teaching your child the basics of phonics, you can’t do it too early. It’s important to have a strong foundation in phonics so your child can better understand how to read.

 

By teaching your first grader the basics of phonics, you’re helping them break down the code used for reading. This will make it easier for them to decode words when they begin to read on their own.

 

There are a few ways you can teach your first grader about phonics. Here are some ideas to get you started.

 

Let’s Begin with the Alphabet: The easiest way to introduce the basics of phonics is to start out with the alphabet. Once your child understands how to write each letter of the alphabet, they can learn how to break down each sound it makes.

 

Let’s Say the Alphabet Song: Another way to introduce the basics of phonics is to sing the alphabet song. You can sing the alphabet song with your child while they are sitting in their chair or on the floor with a coloring book and a crayon.

 

Teach Phonics the Right Way

 

Like most skills, teaching your child how to read phonetically is a process of practice. You’ll need to work at it consistently if you want results.

 

When you’re teaching your first grader how to read phonetically, it’s important to remember that they don’t understand the meaning behind the words.

 

You can’t start teaching them phonics by having them understand the meaning behind the words. The meaning will come later. For now, your job is to teach the sounds the letters make.

 

There are a few ways you can go about teaching your first grader phonics. Here are some ideas to get you started.

 

Teach Sounds Before Letters

 

Children learn how to read and write words before they learn how to read letters. You can use this knowledge to your advantage by teaching your child sounds before you teach them letters.

 

For example, let’s say your 1st grader is learning the “b” sound. You can show your child how to make the sound by saying the letter “b” and clapping your hands together. After showing them how to make the sound, you can work on decoding the word “bicycle.”

 

Help Your Child Develop decoding skills: Another important step when teaching your child how to read phonetically is to help them develop decoding skills. Decoding is the process of breaking down words into their individual sounds.

 

For example, you can have your child read the word “cat” out loud and you can break down the letters into sounds. After your child has decoded the letters, you can discuss what the word “cat” sounds like.

 

Teach the "Sight Word" Strategy

 

The “Sight-Word” strategy is one of the most effective ways to teach your first grader how to read phonetically. The idea behind the sight word method is that you show your child only one word and give them a cue to help them identify the word.

 

For example, you can have your child say the word “dog” and then point to the picture of a dog when they say the word. This will help your child associate words with pictures and make it easier for them to read.

 

Wrapping Up: Teaching Phonics as a homeschooled parent

 

Now that you know how to teach your first grader phonics, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test. Get ready to launch into a rigorous homeschooling year. Your first grader will be reading at a level much higher than they were last year.

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Access Level 1’s four interactive stories and the accompanying supplemental resources to teach elementary students how to read. No credit card is needed. Join the 42,635 teachers and students using our reading program.

Why Reading Programs Are Necessary In Elementary Schools

Why Reading Programs Are Necessary In Elementary Schools

Reading Programs for Reading Programs
Image Source: Flickr

Reading difficulties are common among elementary school students. Research shows that students are introduced to literacy at a very young age and are reading by the end of the first grade. Reading is a fundamental skill that is necessary to succeed in school. It is different from writing and to master it requires additional practice. This is a process that takes time to develop. Reading programs are necessary to help students develop the skills that are necessary to read and understand. However, reading programs can sometimes be intrusive and disruptive to the classroom. This article explores the pros and cons of reading programs, the types of difficulties, and the most common  programs used in schools.

 

What are Reading Difficulties?

 

Reading difficulties are a specific type of learning struggle that is associated with poor reading skills. It can be caused by a variety of factors, both physical and mental. The physical factor include visual, auditory, orthographical, and processing difficulties. On the other hand, mental causes include cognitive and linguistic problems.

 

Reading difficulties may be caused by problems with decoding, phonetics, spelling, vocabulary, writing, or grammar. Specific learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, are neurological disorders that affect the way information is processed by the brain. Students struggle to learn how to read could have a reading age that is higher than their grade level. This means that they have advanced reading skills when compared to their peers. It can also often result in poor performance in school. Students who have a reading difficulty may be behind in their grade level. They may also struggle to do well in subjects like writing, math, and science.

 

The Benefits of Reading Programs

 

These programs are designed to improve reading skills for students who are having difficulty with reading. These programs can be used by students of all ages, from kindergarten to high school. There are different types that are tailored for different grades and learning styles. The common benefits of reading programs include:

 

- Reading skills are improved through practice and repetition. The programs are designed to help students become better readers. They use a systematic method to help the students become fluent readers. They are often based on a program model where the students practice the same skills again and again.

 

- Reading skills are tested and assessed. These programs are often used in schools to assess the students’ reading abilities. Reading assessments help the teachers to determine the students’ abilities and identify the areas that need improvement. These assessments can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of reading programs.

 

- Reading is made fun. The programs are often used to help students make the act of reading fun. This is a very important skill that can be learned and improved with practice. Reading programs often incorporate games, puzzles, and activities to make the process interesting and entertaining.

 

- Reading skills are transferred to other subjects. Reading is the foundation of knowledge. They can be used to improve other subjects like writing, math, science, and engineering. The programs are designed to help students transfer their reading skills to these subjects.

 

Reading Programs: How to use them

 

Reading programs are often used in schools for remedial reading or for students who are struggling to read. These programs can also be used as an extra support for struggling students. But they are not the same as online tutors or online reading tutors. Reading programs are often delivered in-class by a teacher as they are only used by the teacher during class, often delivered during reading or language arts class. Reading programs are provided by the teacher as a whole class activity. These programs are used to help the whole class improve their reading and writing skills as well as improve many different types of reading difficulties, including:

 

- Visual, auditory, orthographical, and phonological difficulties.

- Dyslexia.

- Attention dysfunctions.

- Fluency problems.

Vocabulary difficulties.

 

Why Reading Programs are helpful for Elementary Students

 

Elementary school students face many challenges in their learning. These challenges can be overwhelming for students who are new to the school system. Reading programs can help students with these challenges by providing extra support to these students, as they face many challenges in their learning. These challenges can be overwhelming for students who are new to the school system. Reading programs can help students with these challenges by providing extra support to these students. Students who are new to school and have a lot to catch up with may feel dazed in their new environment. These programs can aid these students as they provide a structured approach to learning, giving them structure and organization. They can also allow them focus on their studies by providing structure and organization. Reading programs can also help students socialize with other students while they are in the program, strengthening their friendship bonds.

 

Conclusion

 

Reading programs can be a helpful tool in the classroom. These programs can help students improve their reading skills, which in turn allows students to succeed in school. They can also be used for a wide range of reading difficulties, including dyslexia, visual, auditory, orthographical, and phonological difficulties. Reading programs should be used in conjunction with regular classroom instruction.

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Access Level 1’s four interactive stories and the accompanying supplemental resources to teach elementary students how to read. No credit card is needed. Join the 42,635 teachers and students using our reading program.

The Best Methods for Teaching Reading in Kindergarten

The Best Methods for Teaching Reading in Kindergarten

Best Methods for Teaching Reading in Kindergarten
Image Source: Unsplash

Reading is one of the most important skills children need to learn in school. Reading gives them knowledge about the world and helps them learn about subjects such as science and history. It also helps them with their future studies and career options. As such, teaching how to read is one of the most important subjects in the earlier grades. In fact, it’s one of the first subjects children learn. Reading is foundational, and it’s one of the first skills children begin learning. In order to teach how to read, you must make sure your students have the tools they need. Different methods can be used to help children become better readers. This article explores the best methods for teaching reading in kindergarten.

 

Teach Phonics

 

Phonics is one of the best methods for teaching in kindergarten. Even if a child learns to read words by sight, they still need to know how to use phonics. Phonics teaches children about how words are pronounced and what the word’s letters sound like. Even if children learn to decode words by sight, they still need to know how to use phonics, which teach them about how words are pronounced and what the words’ letters sound like. For example, “K-I-T” is pronounced as “kit,” while “C-A-T” is pronounced as “cat.” After they learn these rules, children can figure out which letter corresponds with each sound, so they can read any word correctly.

 

Help Kindergarten students Build Their Vocabulary

 

One of the best ways to teach reading is by helping children build their own vocabulary. A large vocabulary leads to a better comprehension and proficiency in all language arts skills—not just reading, but also writing and spelling. Children need to know at least 5,000 words before they start kindergarten, experts say. It’s important for kindergarten teachers to focus on teaching their students new words and expanding their vocabulary. This can be done through games that use word cards or through word work activities. In this way, children will learn new words with meaning and context as they play these games or complete these activities.

 

Teach Sentence Repetition

 

One way to teach children how to read is by using sentence repetition. With this method, children repeat sentences as they are read. The sentences should be short and simple at first. As students get better at repeating the sentences, the sentences can get more complex. This may take a little practice on their part but it is worth it in the long-run. In order to teach reading, you need to know what methods work best for your students. Some people might find sentence repetition more helpful than others so you’ll want to experiment with different methods until you find one that works for your class.

 

Give Fluent Reading Practice

 

The fluency of a reader depends on how quickly, smoothly, and accurately they read. The more fluent the reading is, the easier it will be for the student to comprehend what they are reading. Fluent readers can use context clues to figure out unfamiliar words and comprehend what they are reading without having to rely on their teacher or parent. One of the best methods for teaching how to read in kindergarten is giving your students fluent reading practice. Letting them read books out loud to you while you follow along with the text helps develop this ability. This type of fluent reading practice also allows them to get feedback on their pronunciation, which can help them improve as a reader. For example, telling your students when they mispronounce a word, or when they don't read fluently enough can be very helpful in improving their skills.

 

Have Daily Reading Rituals

 

The biggest thing you can do to help your students become better readers is have reading rituals in your classroom. Reading to students is one of the best methods to teach them how to read. As such, it should be a daily ritual at school and home. In order to have a successful reading ritual, you must make sure that the book or story is appropriate for the age group and skill level of the reader. For kindergarteners, books with simple sentences are typically best.

 

Conclusion

 

Reading is a critical skill. The best methods for teaching reading in kindergarten are to help the students build their vocabulary, teach sentence repetition, give fluent reading practice and have daily reading rituals. These methods will help them to read better, because with every new word they learn, students are also learning new sounds and building their fluency. This is why it is important to teach these methods to kindergarten students.

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Access Level 1’s four interactive stories and the accompanying supplemental resources to teach elementary students how to read. No credit card is needed. Join the 42,635 teachers and students using our reading program.

Fast Phonics Games for Kids to Boost Their Reading Skills

Fast Phonics Games for Kids to Boost Their Reading Skills

Reading can be a difficult skill to master. From decoding new words to decoding passages, reading requires a lot of practice. Fortunately, there are games that can help kids practice their reading skills and build their confidence. These games range from reading comprehension games to phonics games that focus on reading fluency.

 

For kids who are having a hard time reading, playing these games can be a fun way to practice their skills and improve their reading comprehension. Here is a list of the best fast phonics games for kids to help them practice their reading and boost their confidence.

 

Sight Words Scramble

 

Sight words are the building blocks of reading. This fun sight words scramble game helps kids to practice recognizing and reading words in sequence. The first player to guessed all of the sight words in the scrambled sentences wins.

 

Kids will love this word scramble game because it’s fast-paced and engaging. If your child is having a difficult time with reading, this game can also be helpful in building their confidence as they try to tackle more advanced reading skills. In each turn of the game, one player reads a scrambled sentence. The other players try to guess the words. If a player gets a word correct, they can steal a letter from the word on the board and replace it with one of their own. If the word is guessed incorrectly, the player with the word can take a letter from the word on the board and replace it with one of their own.

 

Phonics Bingo

 

Bingo is a fun game that can be used for many different purposes. In this phonics bingo game, kids will practice recognizing and placing specific sounds in syllables. This bingo game is best for kids who are just learning how to read or are having a hard time with sounding out words. To play, each card has a picture of a different animal on it. In each column of the card, there are various sounds that the animal makes. The goal is to mark off the spaces on the bingo card that have the sounds that the animal makes. As players mark off cards, they will earn points. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

 

Reading Comprehension Games

 

Reading comprehension games are perfect for kids who are having a hard time understanding what they read. These games help improve a kid’s ability to comprehend what they read by using visual and auditory cues. These games can also be used to help kids stay focused when reading.

 

Here are a few examples of reading comprehension games:

 

Color-Word Games

 

These games will help your child stay focused while reading. The goal of these games is for the child to find the specific color that is mentioned in the word. To play, have the child read the word out loud. Then, have them draw a picture of the word. After the picture is complete, have them name the color that was mentioned in the word. Once the color is named, have them find the corresponding card and place it in the correct pile.

 

Phonics Games

 

These games will help your child practice their reading skills while having fun. There are many different types of phonics games out there, so it can be hard to know which ones to use. To help your child get started, here are a few basic phonics games that you can start with:

 

Find the Sound in This: This is a great early literacy game for kids. It helps build a child’s confidence as they practice recognizing letters and sounds.

 

Blind Man’s Bluff: In this game, one player is the “Bluffers,” and the other players are the “Bluffees.” The Bluffers start by saying a word out loud, and then the Bluffees have to guess what the word is using only their ears. This is another great game for building confidence.

 

Matching Game: This game is great for developing a child’s visual memory.

 

Word Searcher: This is a “find that” literacy game. It can help with reading comprehension by verbally requesting that a child find a specific word in a book.

 

Mosaic: This is a great game for developing a child’s concentration and patience.

 

Phonics Games

 

These games will help your child build their confidence while improving their reading skills.

 

Guess the Word:  This is a fun game where the objective is for the first person to guess the word to win. The player will say the first word that comes to mind when they hear the word that is being guessed. This can be a difficult game to play if words are a challenge for your child, but it is a great way to build confidence as they try to tackle more difficult reading situations.

 

Word Wall: This game is similar to pin the tail on the donkey. The only difference is that in this game your child will be placing words on a word wall. This is a great way to practice reading comprehension and also build confidence by achieving success.

 

Fluency Games

 

These games will help your child practice reading out loud and sounding out words.

 

Story Telling. This is a great way to build confidence while having fun. Have your child practice telling you stories while you try to be the audience. This is also a good way to work on your child’s storytelling skills.

 

Listen and Spell: In this game, you will be competing against your own voice. You will read a word out loud and then your job is to try and spell the word that you just read as fast as you can. This game is best played with a friend or two. Try listening to different speeds and tone of voices to practice reading out loud and sounding out words.

 

Reading Races: This is another fun way to practice sounding out words. The game is based on a “reading race,” and the last player who can’t pronounce the word loses. This is another good way to work on your child’s patience and they will learn to love losing.

 

Summing Up

 

Reading is a fundamental part of a child’s education, and it can be a difficult skill to master. Fortunately, there are many games that can help kids practice their reading and build their confidence. In this article you’ve been provided with a list of the best fast phonics games for kids to help them practice their reading and build their confidence.

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Access Level 1’s four interactive stories and the accompanying supplemental resources to teach elementary students how to read. No credit card is needed. Join the 42,635 teachers and students using our reading program.

Science of Reading for English-Language Learners: Where Are We Today?

Science of Reading for English-Language Learners: Where Are We Today?

Time to pick some apples: this week, we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week 2022. In honor of their efforts, we’re highlighting the commitment of teachers to a specific group of young readers: students who are learning English as a second language. Teachers face the dual challenge of crafting reading lessons that incorporate the science of reading and the unique needs of English-Language Learners students (ELLs), also called English Learners/ Emergent Bilingual (EL/EB) students. Today, we question whether - and how - the science of reading can work for ELLs and consider how schools and educators can best support them.

science of reading for english learner

Science of Reading for ELL Students

 

As of 2022, at least 17 states now encode the science of reading into law. While this is a positive step toward reading success for all students, many of these laws fail to address how revised literacy curricula will support ELL students. Partially in response to these legislative changes, the National Committee for Effective Literacy (NCEL) was formed in February 2022 to answer a pressing question: where do English learners need more tailored reading support relative to native English speakers?

 

A foundational 2006 report by the National Reading Panel indicated that the five essential components of reading - phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension - were useful for a majority of students and had “clear benefits” for ELL students. Relative to native English speakers, ELLs are likely to need more opportunities to speak English, listen to other English speakers, and practice their vocabulary and syntax. Language researchers emphasize the need to discuss the meanings of words with all students, but especially those learning English. English is a notoriously tricky language, and words with multiple meanings - “run,” “park,” “date,” and “play,” just to name a few - will need to be reviewed frequently with ELL students in both reading and speaking formats.

reading books

Reading Strategies and Resources for ELL Students

 

In an idealized classroom, early reading instruction would combine the five essential components of reading with additional support from trained bilingual intervention teachers. In consideration of budget and staff constraints, however, this scenario is not possible in many elementary classrooms. Despite the barriers faced by both students and educators, our three takeaways highlight the advocacy, reading materials, and overall mindset that teachers can adopt to provide high-quality reading instruction to EL/EB students.

 

  1. Support dual-language programs. Research suggests that teaching students to read in their first language can actually enhance their English reading skills and their sociocultural development. In terms of their accessibility and curricula, many dual-language programs are still in their infancy; nevertheless, the rise of bilingual programs creates more opportunity for students to thrive as readers and writers in their native, non-English language(s).
  2. Recognize that literacy is not just about phonics. Holistically, reading and writing empower students to express themselves and understand their environments and peers more deeply. As they learn to express themselves and understand others through creative collaboration and conversation, a student’s world can expand through the acquisition of vocabulary and overall confidence.
  3. The Internet is a resource. While your school may not offer or be a part of a dual-language program, this does not mean that EL/EB students are left behind. The digital NCEL publication dives deep into effective literacy education for English Learners. NCEL and other online ELL resources offer strategies to support ELLs in the mainstream classroom, with a continual emphasis on comprehension: both on the page and in verbal communication with peers and teachers.
science of reading for elementary students

To our reading teachers: we wish you a happy Teacher Appreciation Week 2022, and another year of guiding all students - English learners included! - to reach their reading goals.

To our reading teachers: we wish you a happy Teacher Appreciation Week 2022, and another year of guiding all students - English learners included! - to reach their reading goals.

Start Teaching Reading for Free Now!

Access Level 1’s four interactive stories and the accompanying supplemental resources to teach elementary students how to read. No credit card is needed. Join the 42,635 teachers and students using our reading program.