There are many ways to teach spelling. In many schools, kids are given weekly lists to memorize. Kids dutifully study each list, often copying words until they are committed to (short-term) memory. They get a high score on the spelling test. Yet, they forget their spelling words as soon as they receive another list. When […]
Archives for March 2017
Child Substitutes Words When Reading
When your child substitutes words when reading, think of the miscue as an opportunity to provide feedback. Reading mistakes are necessary for growth. We all make reading errors. Even kids at grade level can expect to miscue on leveled texts. If a student is not making errors, the book is too easy! READING ERRORS AND […]
Why Early Reading Intervention is Important
Early reading interventions for struggling readers are crucial. Without an evidence-based reading program, many students simply won’t learn how to read. MY CHILD CAN’T READ AT 8! When Michelle sat across from me she asked question after question. “What do reading interventionists do? Why is your reading program different? Why is Mason so far behind? […]
Short a Words for Beginning Readers
Short a words are the first words students learn how to read. When designing short a lessons, be sure to vary the first and last consonant. DO NOT TEACH SHORT A WORD FAMILIES Teaching short a word families like –ad, -ag, -am, -an, -at, -ab can result in reading failure. Why? Students begin to memorize […]
Short a Lessons That Kids Will Remember
Short a lessons are the first steps toward independent reading. When you’re working with a beginning reader, you can instill good reading habits from the start. Create short a lessons that work. When a struggling reader hasn’t mastered short a, his reading foundation is weak. Nonetheless, he might be pushed forward in his school’s reading […]