Components of our Reading Program:

Harcourt Signatures Reading Program -This is a basal reader program that supports comprehensive development of reading, writing, listening, speaking and thinking skills. 
Students will each have a reader from this program according to their individual reading level and IEP goals and objectives. They may have a Practice Book to learn comprehension, language, phonics, and spelling skills. They may also have an additional Phonics Practice Book. We also utilize the Instant Readers from this program and keep reading logs.
Edmark Reading Program - this is an individual sight word based program that I have used successfully for many years.  The program uses a whole word approach, with short instrructional steps, constant repetition, and positive reinforcement. Level 1 teaches 150 words from the Dolch Word list and first grade readers. It teaches the meaning of words, has comprehension activities, and uses the words in story context. Click here for a list of the Level 1 words. Level 2 continues with 200 words at the 2 grade level.

Writing - students will write daily in their journals. They will have a sentence starter and complete that sentence (or more than 1 sentence depending on level) and illustrate it. We also have a Writing Center (including word processing activities) that students go to 3-5 times a week.
Poetry Folders - We have a weekly (or bi-weekly poem) and practice it daily as a whole group. They keep a copy in their Poetry Folders after it is read and illustrated. A copy also goes home for homework. See Poetry Center.

Shared Reading:

During Shared Reading students are learning to.... 
   *track print from left to right and word by word 
   *predict and infer 
   *enjoy and participate in reading with a high level of support 
   *build a sense of story 
   *expand their vocabulary 
   *find letters and sounds in context 
   *attend to concepts of print-(spacng, capitalization, 
    punctuation) 
   *sequence the events of a story 
   *focus on story elements (characters, setting, beginning, 
    middle, and end)

Individual or Small Group Instruction:
 

Skills and Strategies to Focus On:

These are just a few areas in which to help students with during reading...

   *tracking print left to right and word by word 
   *one to one matching 
   *using picture cues 
   *applying letter and sound knowledge in context 
   *activating prior knowledge 
   *recognizing and reading sight words 
   *predicting and inferring 
   *attending to concepts of print (spacing, capitalization,
  and punctuation) 
   *retelling a story with sequence and story elements 
    (characters, setting, beginning, middle, end ) 
   *self correcting 

Literacy Centers - these are activities that students do individually or with a small group or "buddy". Please click on the link for more information and pictures (coming soon!)
 

Interactive Websites:

Look, Cover, Write, And Check - This is great practice for basic spelling words.

Mr. Elephant's Spelling Game - Can you spell e-l-e-p-h-a-n-t?

Word family sort - sort endings for different vowels. Print out your work.

Word Maker - spell words to make list of word families

Spelling Practice Worksheet

Top Ten Spelling Activities

1. Write words in ABC order.
2. Make  a word search.
3. "Rainbow" write words. Using crayons, markers, or colored pencils, write words in one color and trace over 2 or 3 times in differenct colors.
4. Type your words on the computer.
5. Write words - using red for vowels and blue for consonants.
6. Look up the definitions of your words in a dictionary (or use the dictionary on the computer). Draw a picture to illustrate words.
7. Scramble the letters of each word and then unscramble.
8. Write sentences for your spelling words.
9. Use magnet letters to spell out your words. Or, make up letter cards and cut and paster to form words.
10. Rhyme Time - write as many words as you can to rhyme with your words.

Spelling Games

BINGO - give students a blank bingo board to write in their spelling words. 

CONCENTRATION - Put each word on index cards, note cards, seasonal shapes twice.

SKETCH AND SPELL - played like Pictionary.
Students sketch a spelling word  and the others, in turn, guess and spell the word.

SPELLING HANGMAN - played like regular hangman, but use spelling words.

SPELLING WORD TELEPHONE - have students spell their words by dialing the telephone. For a challenge, have them write the phone "number" of their spelling word. (Ex. the phone number for AND is 263.)

SPARKLE - Students stand in a circle around the room. I read a spelling word and each child must give a letter to spell out the word. At the beginning, I write the words on the board as they spell. As they progress, this is phased out. After the word has been spelled, the next student must say SPARKLE to let the class know the word has been spelled abd we are starting a new word.  Repeat for each word. If a student does not spell the word correctly he/she must sit down.

SPELLING BEE - This is still a popular game with students!

Nothing is more important to academic achievement than being a good reader. Parents know their children best and can provide the one-on-one time and attention that will lead them to success in reading. Here is a list of ways to help your children become more effective readers.

1. Set aside a regular time to read to your children every day.
Studies show that regularly reading out loud to children will produce significant gains in reading comprehension, vocabulary, and the decoding of words. Whether your children are preschoolers or preteens, it will increase their desire to read independently.

2. Surround your children with reading material.
Children with a large array of reading materials in their homes score higher on standardized tests. Tempt your kids to read by having a large supply of appealing books and magazines at their reading level. Put the reading materials in cars, bathrooms, bedrooms, family rooms, and even by the TV.

3. Have a family reading time.
Establish a daily 15 to 30 minute time when everyone in the family reads together silently. Seeing you read will inspire your children to read. Just 15 minutes of daily practice is sufficient to increase their reading fluency.

4. Encourage a wide variety of reading activities.
Make reading an integral part of your children's lives. Have them read menus, roadside signs, game directions, weather reports, movie time listings, and other practical everyday information. Also, make sure they always have something to read in their spare time when they could be waiting for appointments or riding in a car.

5. Develop the library habit.
Entice your children to read more by taking them to the library every few weeks to get new reading materials. The library also offers reading programs for children of all ages that may appeal to your children and further increase their interest in reading.

6. Be knowledgeable about your children's progress. Find out what reading skills they are expected to have at each grade level. The school's curriculum will give you this information. Track their progress in acquiring basic reading skills on report cards and standardized tests.

7. Look for reading problems.
Teachers do not always detect children's reading problems until they've become serious. Find out if your children can sound out words, know sight words, use context to identify unknown words, and clearly understand what they read.

8. Get help promptly for reading problems.
Reading problems do not magically disappear with time. The earlier children receive help, the more likely they will become good readers. Make sure your children receive necessary help from teachers, tutors, or learning centers as soon as you discover a problem.

9. Use a variety of aids to help your children.
To help your children improve their reading, use textbooks, computer programs, books-on-tape, and other materials available in stores. Games are especially good choices because they let children have fun as they work on their skills.

10. Show enthusiasm for your children's reading. 
Your reaction has a great influence on how hard they will try to become good readers. Be sure to give them genuine praise for their efforts