Who doesn't love to hear their little one sing the alphabet with "elemenop" or LMNOP? They love the song, the way it easily rolls of their tongue and they feel so very proud of this accomplishment. They are reciting the alphabet in song because they love the sound of it. How about A says /a/, A says /a/. Ever letter has a sound and A says /a/. This, my friends, is the beginning of Phonics, simply put is words are made of of letters and letters and combination of letters represent sounds.
I remember years ago when I first started teaching, ”Whole Language” was all the rage. Whole language is a method of teaching and writing which focuses on whole word phrases through repetitive reading of passages learning words solely in context instead of phonics exercises, worksheets and the like.
Although I believe it is important to have all ideas in your reading toolbox, over my 34 years of teaching, I recognize and feel that phonics and all of its components should be the focal point of learning to read.
However, sight words do have their place in learning to read as well and should be taught because not all words can be deciphered through phonics alone Some children or maybe many children need a combination of foundational skills to read.
That being said let's take a look at learning the letters of the alphabet and a bit more
Why learn the alphabet?
🍎The alphabet is the foundation or building block to reading, writing and spelling. It is important for each child to recognize and name all the letters and combination of letters in and out of order and also the sounds associated with them in order to be successful with literacy.
🍎Learning the alphabet is the basis of spoken language, which gives early learners the benefit
of understanding how letters, combinations and patterns of letters and words are pronounced.
🍎It allows us to think in our language and spell words (without a spellcheck).
🍎 It is also important for early learners to know the symbols or ways we write the letters. or combinations of letters or graphemes that represent sounds. A combination of 1,2,3,or 4 graphemes can represent a phoneme or sound. For example: 1 letter p, 2 letters ch, 3 letters tch, 4 letters ough. So in the word; m-a-t-c-h, there are 5 letters and 3 graphemes; m-a-tch.
Why is it important to know the letters and sounds of the alphabet?
🍎Recognizing letters, sounds and combinations of letters and sounds, is a skill that is needed to read unfamiliar words independently.
🍎Having letter-sound knowledge will allow children to make the link between the unfamiliar printed words to their spoken language knowledge.
Why is letter-sound knowledge important?
🍎Letter-sound knowledge (also called 'graphemic knowledge as mentioned above) helps students to apply their understanding of written language and learn new words independently as well as help them decode unfamiliar words.
If you are thinking...what? YES! it can be very confusing, but it is SO important to understand these basics if you are teaching early learners to read.
These worksheets allow young learners to hear that the letter Aa can say /a/ as you hear in apple OR /a/ as in apron. The second worksheet shows there is more than one way to write an a. This is important because many books and worksheets may use different fonts to represent the letter Aa.
With these types of phonics activities, early learners are listening for the sound of the letter Aa and finding pictures that begin with that sound. They are learning that these pictures begin with different sounds and they need to decide which pictures start with the /a/ sound. Their little brains are starting to connect sounds to letters and learn graphemes that represent the sounds they hear.
Why Phonics?
🍎Phonics instruction teaches children how to decode or apply their understanding of letter-sound relationships, which includes knowledge of letter patterns, to correctly pronounce written words.
🍎If a child understands the relationships between print and the sounds the print or letters produce, children will gain the ability to recognize familiar words quickly and to figure out words they haven't seen before.
So.....
🍎Children need to learn the alphabet and the corresponding sounds to learn how to read and decode words, spell and understand spoken and written language.
🍎Learning the letters of the alphabet helps to form the foundation of language and communication throughout our life.
If you need a comprehensive resource to support your early learners with letter recognition, letter sequencing and learning the individual sounds each letter produces, this alphabet resource will be your go to and keep your students learning until they feel proud. The sheets can be differentiated in that you can assign different pages to different learners depending on their levels.
Here is how I would use it:
On Day One: Introduce the letter by writing it on the board or demonstrating with a large letter flashcard.
Read the poem through once with students following along (you can put it up on the whiteboard/smartboard, share through zoom on your board or have students follow along with the poem/chant in hand.
When you get to the formation of the letter , "Sky Write" the letter so they can see you form it.
Read the chant a second time and after you read each phrase, have your students echo read...you say...they say it. When you ge to the letter formation have your students "Sky Write" the letter. I have the kiddos pretend red ink is flowing out. As you say how to form the letter have the students do it with you.
Read the chant a third time chorally with the students (everyone reading it together)!
Then have your students say the names of the pictures emphasizing the beginning sound. bbbb at for bat. Remember it is not "bu"; it is /b/
Day Three and Four: Simply repeat day two using the same sequence as above. By now you may begin to see those students who may be ready for more difficult activities and you can differentiate as needed by assigning different pages to different students as needed.
A train puzzle to reinforce letter sequencing and worksheets for sequencing letters and sounds of letters are also included at the end of the resource to add as needed for students.
Don't ever stop reading aloud to children as listening to and interacting with stories is so important in learning to read. It is a combination of many philosophies and ideas that support children to become strong readers...maybe it is rocket science.
Stay tuned for more ideas to support learners with using phonics to spell, read, write and other fun ideas to get students motivated to learn coming soon!
As a retired teacher I am well aware of the burn out that all teachers feel. Whether at the beginning of the school year, during conferences, the week before Winter or even Spring break as well as the end of the year aaaannnnnnddddd let's not forget SUMMER...Summer you question??? YES Summer! Do Teacher really relax or are the spending their summer thinking about a new class of kiddos...YOU DECIDE...I know the answer...been there...done that and every vacation seems to disappear like magic...POOF and it is time to teach!!!
This year is a completely different journey...the Covid-19 journey. Add this to the mix and ummmm do you think teachers are stressed? You know the answer! I have 4 teachers in my immediate family and they have been stressed out since March 15th. who wouldn't be? It is easy to say everything will be back to "normal" and I know it will...we all know it will, BUT when their stress ripples into my territory, they look to me for solutions and positivity because I have always tried to be positive every day of my life...turned difficult situations into doable and always lived by this mantra:
Do the best you can do in every situation and your best changes depending many factors that happen in your life or how you feel...you know headaches, exhaustion, not enough caffeine, no sleep and many other circumstances of life.
This affirms the way I live my life to be my best self. if you were in my head, you would hear, "Do the best you can or you are doing the best you can and that is all you can do!"
Well...I am a firm believer that YOU need to take care of yourself every chance you get or you will burn out before you even start...especially now more than ever!
Who's with me...think of this...Do you feel like September is here and you never had a BREAK not even a teeny tiny break?
So Here are 5 tried and true Ideas that I have used, when I taught...WELL actually still use, to make sure my engine is running in top notch condition:
🌻Surround Yourself with Positivities or Be Positive:
That means: Read positive quotes:
Post a positive or inspirational quote in your classroom, office or anywhere you can see it everyday...Remember there will be days that are harder than others.
Post a positive or inspirational quote in your classroom, office or anywhere you can see it everyday...Remember there will be days that are harder than others.
Make a list of everything you love about everyone and everything around you. I have kept a small journal and take a few minutes every so often to count my blessings and think about what I love about each member of my family. Can I just tell you how touching it is to read what I wrote down about each child and my spouse...sometimes I think...did I really write that? A family Blessing Jar can also be self care for the entire family and is worth the time because everyone will love adding a blessing to the jar as family self care!
Take a minute and jot down a positive moment or an accomplishment...Little or Big that made you feel blessed to be present with your family. I love the idea of a gratitude or blessing jar. It is quick and simple to create...add a little of your personality and personal notes, then on New Year's Eve or a designated day, sit and read the notes in the jar. If you don't have time to create a pinteresty jar, just throw the notes in a basket!
I also have a blessing bracelet that was given to me many years ago from a friend.
It may bring some tears, but happy tears are always good for the soul!
I also have a blessing bracelet that was given to me many years ago from a friend.
The idea is to wear the bracelet every day and each morning when you put it on, you count 4 blessings in your life. The blessing can be as simple as I have a roof over my head or my coffee is hot or I have the opportunity to support children during this time to make their education the best it can be right now! I think I need to get a new one, this is looking a bit worn.
Don't forget those Positive Affirmations! I can do this, I am strong, I am capable, I am healthy...
🌻Take Time for Yourself and I MEAN ALONE TIME:
MOMs.. Eat lunch or take a coffee break or even an afternoon snack by yourself once a week or once a month or ummm every single day...you may need to hide in your car or closet!
I used to take these breaks in my classroom during a prep time or even during my lunch break just to regroup and have a bit of thinking time. Virtual and teaching from your classroom, you can still do these suggestions.
I used to take these breaks in my classroom during a prep time or even during my lunch break just to regroup and have a bit of thinking time. Virtual and teaching from your classroom, you can still do these suggestions.
If you are home teaching and have kids home, simply walk around the house and take deep breaths to stay calm and focussed. When your kids have a break, take a brisk walk outside or maybe a family yoga break...simple positions like baby's pose or tree pose or simply stretch together.
I had a friend who used to ride the school elevator to gain a minute or 2 of quiet time and destress!! Not a bad idea if you have an elevator in your building!
I had a friend who used to ride the school elevator to gain a minute or 2 of quiet time and destress!! Not a bad idea if you have an elevator in your building!
🌻Get Rid of that STRESS!
The list of Ideas to destress and relax is infinite...BUT...you have to try one to get started. Find what works best for you and your schedule and JUST DO IT!!!
Here are some Ideas that I have tried and they might also work for YOU!
Here are some Ideas that I have tried and they might also work for YOU!
- Yoga: Every Morning rise a bit earlier and simply do about 7 minutes of yoga poses. Check the internet or have a book handy. You can always sign up for a class, but 7 minutes a day will make a world of difference!!
- Walk at lunch time with a friend, colleague or alone. It is even better when it is cool out! When I taught full-time, (I'm retired now!) we used to walk around the school neighborhood about 2-3 days a week. It was one of the best activities I did and made a world of difference for how I faced the rest of the day.
- I also used to walk with a friend to school everyday...sometimes even in the snow...my friend and I would solve all the school issues as we walked and felt great even if the problems did not go away, we still chatted about it and got it off our minds. We lived about a mile and half away from school and would meet on the corner. We were assigned the title:"The Walking teachers" and I would even see someone in a supermarket who would say, "Don't I see you walking everyday to work?"
- Play with the kiddos. play hide and seek, catch outside, a board game, anything you know will take your mind of off school and bring you back to where you are...in the present!
- Read a non educational book.
- That's right PAMPER yourself do something...anything that you love doing...don't wait for someone else to do it!!! UMMM...it might not happen. You are in charge of YOU!!
Now, I know right now many things are different. I have not really pampered myself the way I used to do before Covid, but I have figured out ways to keep the positivity going and pamper in a different way. For example, give yourself a home DIY facial, foot massage, stretch using an exercise ball ( I saw these for $5 at 5 Below!), muscle rollers to get rid of tension or simply stretching out each muscle in your body especially the neck.
Now...please note...I am not saying to do all of these...I mean....you would add more stress to your life than you had before you started!!!
Simply pick one or two to try for a while and see if it makes a difference in your daily life!
🌻Prioritize or Set Priorities:
- Make a list of Have To's or Must Do's, Can DO's or Can Say No To's and start to listen to your list and cross off and prioritize that list.
- Make a list each week perhaps Sunday night or a night that works for you and write everything that you have that week. Then evaluate each item on your list. Add a key something like this: Green is MUST Do or Have To; Yellow is Can Do and Red is I can say no to or can postpone to another time. Remember, your job can bounce back from a hiccup, but your family and you should be treated like a glass ball because when it breaks, it is harder to mend.
Download this list and Print.
🌻 Eat as Healthy as you Can:
I say as healthy as you can because I know how crazy hectic life can be.
For example; make one change. Something like I am going to switch to "breadless" sandwiches this week and stick to it. Plan that type of lunch for the week and make it each night or ahead of time. Add all the ingredients except for the heavy bread. Add a light dressing and that change will come naturally the more you do it.
Sometimes you just need to be mindful of what you eat...stop the fog eating, where you are eating without thinking about what you are eating and add a few healthier choices each day.
Another idea might be to start your morning off with a healthy fruit or vegetable smoothie each morning or even bring it to school for break or lunch. Here are my Go-to's....easy and nutritional!
I simply use frozen smoothie mixes and mix and match to my current mood each morning. Sometimes I add fresh fruit that I have on hand like bananas, blueberries or even an apple.
I have one daily smoothie, but I only add fruit, veggies and water with stevia and I am good...less calories and great tasting. The one above, looks yucky, but tastes yummy! It is Matcha tea, banana, strawberry, mango, coconut and stevia...I drink it a feel like I am on a tropical island until my phone rings and brings me back to reality!
Just simply make small changes and you will see a difference!
The last one that you NEED to absolutely add to your diet is water!
Just remember every day is a new beginning with new possibilities. If at first you don't succeed, just simply start again and again...Remember: you might not be there YET...but you will!!
Try your best to focus on the Blessings you have not what your neighbor has...Positivity is a choice...a choice you have to make every single DAY! If you feed your brain positive thoughts, you brain will be reconditioned to think that way, which will lead to a less stressful life.
Allow yourself to make a few mistakes because we learn life long lessons from our mistakes and PLEASE, PLEASE, don't be hard on yourself...NO ONE IS PERFECT!
They say if you can do something for 30 days straight, then it will become a habit or second nature!!
Let me know how you do...I'll be waiting!!
I have been thinking a lot about virtual learning, remote learning, distance learning or whatever you want to call it. Whatever term you decide to use, it is online learning.
As I watched my grandkids learning online...ballet...second grade skills, and myself tutoring online as well as and my daughter teaching viola virtually, a television show came to mind that I remember watching as a young child. That show was Romper Room. The teacher on the show would use a magnify glass and say, "I see bobby and Joanie and Teddy!" She would wave to each child and say, "Hi, you look happy today or or let me see that smile."
Each child felt so special as they watched her perform and enact all her lessons or activities for the morning.
Let's imagine that you are teaching online or in your classroom and you are ready to share a book...you gather all your students online or on the rug...they are all sitting "crisscross applesauce" or their eyes peeled to the computer screen ready to begin the story...just waiting for you to start...all eyes on you, smiles gleaming. They are so excited they can hardly contain their emotions. All directions have been announced and modeled. Well... it may not be this perfect but you get the idea!
They know that they will have such a "fun"tastic time interacting and taking part in Shared Reading! They are ready!!!
I remember those days...great memories and now that I am retired...I want all of you to have this same experience! YES...YOU! You can use these ideas teaching on your computer or in your classroom (socially distancing of course with masks on) You can do this with these tried and true tips in school or online!I wish my elementary reading experiences were like this!
So...drumroll please....Here you go:
3 Great Tips for Interactive Shared Reading online or in your classroom!!!
1. Get your students thinking about the books you use for shared reading:
Plan ahead and see which parts of the story you want to share that can be integrated with participation in the story. If you feel that the story will work, then definitely assign your students predetermined "Thinking Partners" for shared reading that can change every so often.
If you are teaching virtually, then you will give your students a thinking minute to think about the different parts of the story as you read.
Sticky note parts of the story that your students can make predictions and inferences, think metacognitively and parts where your students can think about questions they might have at the beginning, middle and ending of the text. If you have done the work beforehand, your experience will run so much more smoothly!
So...now...when you gather children onto the carpet make sure you have spots around the room or on the carpet that are 6 feet apart, ask them to sit near their "Thinking Partner" and to be ready to Think, Pair, Share, (from a distance) which of course you have already modeled several times...I hope!! (Simply have children face their partner and chat about the parts of the text as directed by YOU!)
OR Virtually explain that you are going to stop every so often and give them time to think about the story. I usually "Give a thinking minute, which is really a bit more than one minute!)
Now...these partners are ready to go...masks on, 6 feet a part...Don't they look happy?
2. Use visual props to support reading Comprehension:
This tip piggybacks to #1.
In a small basket next to your reading chair or your computer, have visuals to support Reading Comprehension Strategies; such as, Visualizing, Cause and Effect, Questioning or what you might be wondering about right now and Making Predictions.
Then as you ask the question or want your students to share with their "Thinking Partners" or when you give them a "Thinking Minute"you simply hold up the sign that matches the strategy you want them to use.
While reading, you can also give each child a different part to play: The prediction Maker and they have the wand, The visualizer with the fake glasses or a pair of dollar store glasses, the Thinker, etc.
While reading, you can also give each child a different part to play: The prediction Maker and they have the wand, The visualizer with the fake glasses or a pair of dollar store glasses, the Thinker, etc.
Even better, sent a copy of these props home, through an e-mail, and have your students make them to be ready for shred reading online. (optional)
Later you will see students using the clouds and props on their own while partner reading or even reading to self!!!
Here are some samples of some of the props I used with my kiddos. You can find them HERE along with some other related Reading Comprehension resources.
Making Predictions: Visualizing:
Cause and Effect: Explain your Thinking or Metacognitive
Thinking:
Look through the story to what items you can collect around the house or purchase them at the dollar store. Then give students or partners and item you have pre-purchased. As you read the story to your class, have those students rise every time you read their item. Imagine the fun of listening until their part comes! If you are teaching virtually, simply assign your students parts and have them create or make them at home or even find the object around the house. You can assign more than one student for various props.
One of my all time favorite books to encourage participation is: The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
The kiddos LOVE this story and in fact one day, a few years back, I invited my principal in for our Halloween Party and shared this book on the rug. At the end she screamed out in unison with the class, when I asked them to scream out what they thought the little old lady would do with all the items that followed her home! PS...I always ask the students to scream, whisper, speak like a robot, a mouse, a baby or other ways when I want a whole class answer and it is the BEST!
So to in order to use props for this story, you will need, shoes, a pair of pants, a shirt, a pair of gloves, a hat and a Jack-o-Lantern... If you separate the shoes and gloves, there are 8 different props to give out to your class or for the students to create etc. You can also add doubles of each item so everyone has a props or assign partners to each item. As you read the story to the class, they have to act out the parts with their props. For example: when the part is read,"the shoes went CLOMP, CLOMP." the students who have the shoes make them walk...CLOMP, CLOMP! Just imagine the listening and participation that will magically happen when you share a book in this manner! Can you read every single book this way? Probably not, but pick and choose those books that you can use this way and make it a "FUN Friday" activity...learning and fun. What more can a teacher ask for?
Later you will see students using the clouds and props on their own while partner reading or even reading to self!!!
Here are some samples of some of the props I used with my kiddos. You can find them HERE along with some other related Reading Comprehension resources.
Making Predictions: Visualizing:
Cause and Effect: Explain your Thinking or Metacognitive
Thinking:
Questioning or I Wonder:
These props can be used with ANY Book!
3. Using actual props from the text: Say What?
I LOVE dong this and so do children. It can even be fun to do at home with a story when reading with your own children or in a homeschool setting or virtually. So let me explain:
Take a book like If you Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff or actually any book in her series of similar texts.
Look through the story to what items you can collect around the house or purchase them at the dollar store. Then give students or partners and item you have pre-purchased. As you read the story to your class, have those students rise every time you read their item. Imagine the fun of listening until their part comes! If you are teaching virtually, simply assign your students parts and have them create or make them at home or even find the object around the house. You can assign more than one student for various props.
After the story is read, see if your students can retell the story as a group using their props.
One of my all time favorite books to encourage participation is: The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
The kiddos LOVE this story and in fact one day, a few years back, I invited my principal in for our Halloween Party and shared this book on the rug. At the end she screamed out in unison with the class, when I asked them to scream out what they thought the little old lady would do with all the items that followed her home! PS...I always ask the students to scream, whisper, speak like a robot, a mouse, a baby or other ways when I want a whole class answer and it is the BEST!
They can't wait to hear what voice I will ask for to answer the question!!!
So to in order to use props for this story, you will need, shoes, a pair of pants, a shirt, a pair of gloves, a hat and a Jack-o-Lantern... If you separate the shoes and gloves, there are 8 different props to give out to your class or for the students to create etc. You can also add doubles of each item so everyone has a props or assign partners to each item. As you read the story to the class, they have to act out the parts with their props. For example: when the part is read,"the shoes went CLOMP, CLOMP." the students who have the shoes make them walk...CLOMP, CLOMP! Just imagine the listening and participation that will magically happen when you share a book in this manner! Can you read every single book this way? Probably not, but pick and choose those books that you can use this way and make it a "FUN Friday" activity...learning and fun. What more can a teacher ask for? It has always been my philosophy to make learning educational and fun, so that each child will love learning, want to come to school, reach their potential and be their best self!
There Was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Bat With this story, you can have each child stand every single time their item is read in the story or YOU can be the OLD LADY! At the end everyone can YELL TRICK or TREAT!!!
Remember teaching online or in your classroom can be motivating and entertaining, which will encourage students to want to be online with you or come to school. Whatever way you are teaching this year, make the best of it and make it one of your best years yet! You can do this!
Home and School communication is so important. Getting parents on your side and working together as a team can enhance all aspects of a child's education. One thing to remember is parents know their child better than we do in that they have been their child's teacher from the day their child was born.
Send a Monthly or Weekly Newsletter home sharing with parents special news and announcements that are special to your classroom. You can send these notes and announcements on your class homework sheet through your website or through google with a link to read these important messages. Attaching these to an e-mail works too!
I hope these quick and easy ideas bring a bit of sunshine to start your year! Enjoy!
I always tell parents that they are the most important person in their child's life.
So, with that being said, use parent's input about their child and work together!
Although this year may look a bit different. These 3 tips are ways that you can include parents in their child's education from day one and build positive relationships with students and their parents.
Whether you are teaching virtually or in person this year, the following tips to work side by side with parents, will definitely promote and enhance student progress.
Start the Year off with a Positive Phone Call
Try to make a positive phone call home
within the first 2 weeks of school. I know that this can be a difficult task with all that needs to be done, but this WILL make a difference!
Think of yourself as a parent: you are nervous about your child going to first grade and just think how "little Jimmy or Doris" feels.
Receiving a positive phone call and I emphasize phone call NOT e-mail can set the tone for the rest of the year and it will make it much easier when you have to call for other reasons.
I also call to EACH child the night before the first day of school to say "hi" and welcome them to my classroom. I tell each child how excited I am to have him or her in my classroom and to make sure they bring their smile to school tomorrow!
Say hello and express your excitement about having him or her in your classroom. My video that I have posted below is an example of a phone call you might make if you are teaching in person, but it can easily be changed to represent a virtually classroom. Making each student in your class feel excited to come to your classroom, no matter where you are teaching, begins to build important connections with each child.
Invite Parents into your Classroom or Virtual Classroom
If it is permitted in your district, invite parents to come into your classroom and share a favorite book or chat about their job or occupation. Our School always had a Guest Reader on Friday afternoons. I changed the day and time for working parents if necessary. Teaching Virtually? Invite a parent to read to your class through Zoom or any other platforms you may be using. Maybe ask parents to sit in on your lesson to see what his or her child is learning that week.
Keep Parents in the Loop
Send a Monthly or Weekly Newsletter home sharing with parents special news and announcements that are special to your classroom. You can send these notes and announcements on your class homework sheet through your website or through google with a link to read these important messages. Attaching these to an e-mail works too!
I hope these quick and easy ideas bring a bit of sunshine to start your year! Enjoy!
Try your best to be your best this year even with the struggles we are all facing this school year!
