MS. WOZNIAK’S READING NEWS Reading Specialist swozniak@twinsburgcsd.org (330) 486-2046 September 29, 2017 Looking forward to seeing you all at our Title I /Fundations’ night on Wednesday October 11th at 6:30 - Wilcox Primary School. One of the big questions asked is where should my child be in terms of a reading level. Beginning 1st grade is level D. We are looking for the children to be reading around a level F by December. These books will have the following features: Typically 10 – 30 pages Tests at Level F are longer and have more story episodes than at previous levels. There are also shorter texts with some unusual language patterns. Pictures continue to support reading but there may be concepts that are abstract or unfamiliar to children, requiring more reflection. We have been working feverishly on our digraphs these past weeks. “A digraph is 2 consonants stuck together making one new sound”. Ask your child to tell you using the motions. Digraphs can be tricky as they carry parts of other letter sounds. “TH” is mistaken for “F” a lot. Ask your child how they know the difference between these digraphs.. “TH” makes you stick your tongue out and has two different ways to sound. “SH” is a soft stream of air and “CH” is a big fat push of air. Have them focus on what their mouth is doing while they say the digraphs. Then practice by saying words like ‘push’, ‘chop’ or ‘thin’ that have the digraphs in them. They should be able to tell you which digraph it is.

Digraphs CH – chin- and the letter sounds TH – thumb and the letter sounds TH – the and the letter sounds SH – ship and the letter sounds CK – sock and the sound, plus: The “k” sound at the end of the word One syllable Short vowel CK (and punch it out with your hands)