Kindergarten Phonemic Awareness Fun!

I have had the wonderful opportunity to begin working with two groups of students from Mrs. Hendricks' and Ms. Villa's Kindergarten classrooms to enhance their phonemic awareness skills. The skills we will be practicing for the rest of the year include:

Word rhyming

Syllable segmentation

Beginning sound substitution

Sound isolation

Phonemic segmentation

PBS Kids offers several fun online games that even young children can play to develop phonemic awareness skills:
Elmo Rhymes
Elmo shows the child a selection of objects on the shelves of a closet. He names one of the objects and asks the child to select all of the items in the closet that rhyme with the named object. As the child mouses over an object, Elmo says the name of the object.
Pounce
The child hears a short word spoken and is asked to look at three written words and click on the word that he heard. The child gets multiple chances to get it right, and after making a correct match, sees the written word next to a picture of the named object.
Fuzzy Lion Ears
The child sees a picture and a word label for the picture. A letter is missing from the word. It is the child’s task to select the missing letter from three letters provided. The game also provides a little help: the child can mouse over several letters to hear the sound each one makes before selecting an answer.

I will be sending home books that the children have practiced many times and are proud to share with you.  These books highlight one or more of the phonemic awareness skills that we have practiced.  These skills will lay the foundation for your child to be a successful, confident reader.

Best books for boys

Books Boys Want to Read

If you find getting your son to read a struggle, you're not alone. Boys consistently score lower than girls on national reading and writing tests. This may be because many boys develop language skills more slowly than their female counterparts. But there are other causes as well, like the fact that many boys are uninterested in the books teachers assign. Also, many boys lack male reading role models. As a result, they view reading as a feminine activity.
But don't be discouraged; just because your son doesn't like Little Women or The Secret Garden doesn't mean he's not a reader. Jon Scieszka, a former New York City elementary school teacher and author of titles such as The True Story of the Three Little Pigs and The Stinky Cheese Man, founded Guys Read, a Web-based literary initiative that targets young male readers. It proposes a way to beat the odds: let boys read the books they want to read rather than the ones we think are good for them.
So what do boys want to read? You may need to expand your definition of reading to encompass their wide-ranging interests. Boys who crave action and information often like browsing through the Guinness Book of World Records or a sports almanac. Many devoted doodlers prefer graphic novels. (Even The Hardy Boys series is available in graphic editions.) Sports fans may devour magazines like Sports Illustrated for Kids or websites like espn.com. Don’t worry if your son isn't hooked on Charles Dickens. Validate his reading choices and let him discover his own classics.
Here are some places to start:

Humor

There's nothing like a really silly book to convince a boy that reading can be fun. Remember, however, that his idea of humor may differ from your own. Let him enjoy titles like Captain Underpants and The Day My Butt Went Psycho without passing judgment on the merits of potty humor. Even Shakespeare got laughs from bawdy jokes.

Nonfiction, Sports and Nature

For some literature-loving adults, a book doesn't count as reading if it's not fiction. And while many of the best children's books are novels, nonfiction can also open a boy's mind. Today's informational books are far from the dusty encyclopedias you may remember from your childhood. Even kids who don't like reading have subjects they want to know more about, from basketball to dinosaurs to snakes to magic.
Nonfiction fans in particular need access to a good library. While many novels and picture books are often reprinted in affordable paperbacks, most good nonfiction titles are not.

Mystery and Adventure

Many boys are drawn to stories that allow them to solve puzzles or live vicariously through the daring exploits of others. Well-crafted plots can keep even struggling readers turning pages to find out "who done it."

Fantasy and Science Fiction

Even though they are set in imaginary lands, fantasy books deal with problems that are relevant to many boys. Themes of bravery and fear that pervade these stories resonate with youths trying to understand their place in the world.

Poetry and Wordplay

You may consider poetry to be a genre reserved for highbrow intellectuals, but children's verse can often engage reluctant readers. Kids who hesitate to tackle an entire book may feel a sense of accomplishment upon finishing a poem. Poems also introduce children to wordplay, rhyme and catchy rhythms, helping them to appreciate the sheer joy of language.

Feelings and Relationships

As a society, we often teach boys to suppress emotions. Books can help correct that trend by letting boys explore the full range of human emotions and help them realize that they aren't alone with their problems. This can be true on many levels, from the young reader who recognizes that Frog and Toad need each other as friends to the older reader who experiences more complex feelings when he reads about a fictional middle school boy coming to terms with his parents' divorce.

Graphic Novels

Comic books have come a long way since Superman and the Archies. Now known as graphic novels, these brightly illustrated books are especially attractive to reluctant readers who have outgrown easy readers but are daunted by uninterrupted pages of text. There are now graphic versions of classics as well as hundreds of new titles sure to capture a boy's attention.

(from: http://www.pbs.org/parents/best-books-for-boys/books-boys-want-to-read.html)

"Celebration books"

Each night, your child brings home a reading bag that contains a green sign-off sheet and a book that we have practiced many times at school.  These books are meant to be "celebration books" because they should be easy books for your child to read.  They are celebrating how fluent (smooth) of a reader they have become and are also showing off their wonderful reading strategies that they use daily to help them when they get stuck on a word. 
These strategies include:

Please set aside a quiet time to have your child read this book to you. They are proud to share how hard they are working to become a better reader. After your child has read the book to you, please sign the green sign-off sheet and write any comments you have for me on the sheet.  This communication will help me to know if we need to work on word parts, sight words, or reading with expression more.  Your child will bring the book (and bag) back to school the next day.  After we have exchanged books 10 times, your child can pick from my prize box. I really appreciate your partnership with me in helping your child become a super-star reader!

Working with Words

In every reading lesson, the students work with words in a variety of ways. The goal of working with words is to provide children opportunities to spell and read words through activities that build phonemic awareness and application of phonetic skills.

Depending on the level and need of the students, some of the word work that students may complete within a Title One reading lesson include:

Adding suffixes to base words (often changing the spelling of the base word.)

Using manipulatives to learn sight words.

 

                                          Manipulate word parts to learn contractions.

In addition, you can use technology at home to also work with words.  Below are some helpful websites you and your child can explore together:

Funbrain: http://www.funbrain.com/words.html

Study zone: www.studyzone.org

Adrian Bruce: http://adrianbruce.com/

Starfall: www.starfall.com

What to Do When Your Child Hates Reading

By Amy Mascott

Would your child rather empty the dishwasher or fold laundry instead of reading a book? Do you have to beg your child to sit down and read—for school or for pleasure? When you see other kids with their noses in books, do you wonder why you never see your own children doing the same? It’s hard to know how to react when your child hates reading, and even harder to figure out how to motivate children to read. Try these simple, but meaningful steps to help move your reluctant reader toward a book-filled future:

Zero in on the child’s interests. Before you do anything, take a step back and examine what interests, excites or intrigues your child. Knowing what interests him can help you pinpoint what types of texts he may enjoy reading.

Start small. Just because your child likes to ride horses doesn’t mean he needs to start by reading The A-Z History of Horseback Riding; that may be intimidating—especially for a reluctant reader. Instead, consider watching a horse race with your child. Talk about the jockeys, the scores, the owners and the trainers. The next day, read the box scores in the newspaper or watch a movie about horses, like Seabiscuit. Then, closely examine the box scores or find a short nonfiction article about a related topic, like the Triple Crown or famous jockeys like Red Pollard or George Woolf. An interactive, reliable, and safe resource online, such as American Experience: Seabiscuit, can also be an engaging and interesting bridge toward books for reluctant readers.If the topic of interest doesn’t lend itself to watching a related program or movie, start small by finding a magazine or graphic novel at the library that relates to the subject. Reading doesn’t need to begin with a chapter book; many other texts and various genres can be worthwhile for these readers.

Practice shared reading. Shared reading or reading as a collective experience could entail taking turns reading pages, sections or chapters, or you and your child silently reading the same book. Shared reading can vary depending on your child’s age and needs.Shared reading is an often-overlooked and underappreciated technique for engaging reluctant readers. Most kids really want to spend time with their parents, but once children reach seven or eight years old, many parents don’t view reading together as an option; they think that’s reserved for preschool or early elementary school days.
For the ideal shared reading experience, choose texts that are rich, engaging and sure to lead to discussion. Part of the “sharing” in shared reading involves talking about the book. Perhaps several of your child’s friends and their parents can start a book club where texts read through shared reading are discussed in a welcoming environment. If book groups are not an option, find a reliable, child-safe website where your child can post a review of that book or encourage him or her to start a book review journal.

Reluctant readers are often struggling readers, so creating safe, comfortable environments where fluent reading is modeled and where children are set up for success is key. Though there is definitely not an easy answer, with a little focus and direction, you can help give your child the reading boost he needs. It’s not magic, but every little step helps.

(from: http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/reading-language/reading-tips/what-to-do-when-your-child-hates-reading/)

5 Reasons Why Books Make the Best Christmas gifts

I recently found this article and thought this was perfect to share with all of my families who are wondering what to give their kids for Christmas...my own son, Konner, is going to be receiving the book: "Merry Christmas Stinky Face" by Lisa McCourt from Santa!

5 Reasons Why Books Make the Best Christmas Gifts!

It’s that time of year again.
Christmas.
Chanukah.
The Holidays.
That means one thing: The mad scramble for gifts.
Whether you’re shopping for loved ones, office mates, friends, or acquaintances, finding that perfect something for someone can be a nerve-wracking task.
It doesn’t have to be, though.
Here are five reasons why books make the best gifts for everyone on your list.

5. Books are inexpensive.

Sure, some books can be as much as $50, but for as little as $10, you can get the perfect gift for someone.

4. You can personalize the book you give.

What makes a book really special is that you can write an inscription in it. It makes the book that you get for someone all the more personal.

3. A book will last a lifetime.

A toy will eventually be discarded and a sweater will wear thin. A book, though, will forever grace the person’s bookshelf. Every time they refer to the book that you gave them, they’ll remember you.

2. You can literally do all your shopping in one place.

Whether you stay home and shop online or you venture outside your house to a bookstore, you can get your shopping done in one place — and probably in one trip.

1. There’s nothing to worry about when buying a book.

When you buy a book for someone, that’s it. Wrap it, set it under the tree, and then watch the smile on the person’s face as they see the book you bought for them. You don’t have to worry about getting the wrong size, forgetting batteries, or hoping you got their favorite color.

(from: http://www.kallistipublishing.com/5-reasons-why-books-make-the-best-christmas-gifts/)

Holiday Reading Magic

Launch your new reader on a holiday adventure!

Beginning readers are always proud to show off their skills. Let your little one shine like a Christmas candle with this great game.

If you wish, teach your emergent reader to recognize some special Christmas words, like Christmas, happy, holiday, tree, star, and so forth. Choose your words carefully if this is a difficult task; pick words of dramatically different sizes, shapes and beginning letters for maximum success.

Now, start searching for words your child knows how to recognize. Look in cards, newspapers, and on decorations. Check marquees when you are out and about. Watch signs and printed Christmas carols. Celebrate together each time you find a word your child can read. Keep a list and watch it grow for the next few weeks. Your child will be pleased and amazed at the number of words he or she already knows how to read, and big ones, too! Nothing boosts self-confidence quite like this simple activity.

 

The Magic of Christmas Music

Many people underestimate the power of music in reading. Beginning readers often feel encouraged and learn a lot from reading the words to familiar songs, and, since most people know Christmas songs, this is a great chance to take advantage of this phenomenon.

Find copies of the words to Christmas music that have the words broken into syllables for singing. By presenting the words in broken up form, you will help beginning readers to see patterns in syllabication and vowel sounds. They will begin to learn about how to attack larger, unfamiliar words.

Songs don't have to be sung, either. Try reading them as a group, or dividing the lines to turn them into choral readings. A few that tell stories can even be presented as plays or puppet shows! Have fun!

 

(from: http://www.squidoo.com/christmasreadingforkids)