A Child Becomes A Reader By Tina Escher Reading Specialist

The Building Blocks of Reading and Writing Phonemic Awareness Phonics Fluency Vocabulary Text Comprehension

Phonemic Awareness The ability to hear, identify, and manipulate sounds “phonemes” in spoken words. d o g

Phonemic Awareness Is Important Because… It improves children’s word reading and reading comprehension. It helps children learn to spell.

Activities to Develop Phonemic Awareness Identify phonemes Segment words into phonemes Delete or add phonemes to form new words Substitute phonemes to make new words

Phonics Helps children learn the relationships between the letters of written language and the sounds of spoken language.

Phonics Is Important Because… It leads to an understanding of the alphabetic principle, the systematic and predictable relationships between written letters and spoken sounds.

Programs of Phonics Instruction Are Effective When They Are… Systematic- The plan of instruction includes carefully selected set of letter-sound relationships that are organized into a logical sequence. Explicit- The program provide teachers with precise directions for the teaching of these relationships

Effective Phonics Programs Provide ample opportunities for children to apply what they are learning about letters and sounds to the reading of words, sentences, and stories. Significantly improves children’s word recognition, spelling, and reading comprehension. It is most effective when it begins in Kindergarten.

Fluency Is The ability to read a text accurately and quickly.

Fluency Is Important Because It frees students to understand what they read.

How Can I Help My Child Become A More Fluent Reader Provide models of fluent reading. Repeatedly read passages as you offer guidance. Provide opportunities for them to read books that are at their independent level of reading ability.

Vocabulary The words we must know to communicate effectively. Oral Vocabulary: Refers to words that we use in speaking or recognize in listening. Reading Vocabulary: Refers to words we recognize or use in print.

Vocabulary Is Important Because Beginning readers use their oral vocabulary to make sense of the words they see in print. Readers must know what most of the words mean before they can understand what they are reading.

How Can I Help My Child Learn Words Read aloud to you child, no matter what they age. Talk with them about new vocabulary and concepts to help them relate the words to their prior knowledge and experiences.

Comprehension Understanding what we read! It is the reason for reading.

What Can We Do At Home

The Top Three Talk often with your child to build listening and talking skills. Read to and with your child- OFTEN. Talk to him about the words and ideas in books. Ask your child’s teacher how you can help your child practice at home what he is learning at school.

Top Ten Ideas 1. Listen to your child read books from school. Be patient as your child practices. Let him/her know you are proud. 2. Say the sound of letters and ask your child to write the letter or letters that represent the sound. 3. Ask your child to point out the letter-sound relationships he is learning in all of the things you are reading together – books, calendars, labels, magazines, and newspapers.

Top Ten Ideas Cont. Play word games. Say a word your child knows and have him/her repeat the word. Help your child spell letters by using a variety of materials such as plastic letters, foam letters, cereal, and cookies. Have them spell in dry jello, sand, and shaving cream As you are reading with your child, point out words that have similar spellings, such as hop and pop. Ask him to write similar words, for example, top mop, and cop.

Top Ten Ideas Cont. Encourage your child to write often; letters, thank-you note, simple stories; grocery lists. Vocabulary and Comprehension When you read together, stop now and then to talk about the meaning of the book Before you come to the end of a story, ask your child to predict what might happen next or how the story will end.