• Helpful Websites

     

    Teaching a child to become a successful reader takes A LOT of practice!  It also takes ALL of us!  The greatest predictor of reading success is a child's phonological awareness ability.  Phonological awareness skills include rhyming, compound words (dog and house makes 'doghouse'), syllables (word parts - syl*la*bles), and beginning sound (/c/, cat).  These are the skills we focus on at the beginning of the year.  The fantastic thing about these skills is that you need absolutely NO materials to work on them!  All you and your child need are ears and mouths... OK, maybe eyes and brains, too!  Name the things you and your child see wherever you are - how many syllables?  Beginning sound?  Can you think of a word that rhymes with it?  

     

    If you are looking for some productive screen time for your child, please check out the sites listed below.

    Boom Cards 

    These games are self-correcting, which means your child cannot move on until the correct answer is chosen.  I have made several decks available to everyone in the class, but if there is something you would like to see a deck on, please let me know.  I can also assign to individual students.

     

    Raz Kids

    This site has so many reading resources that I can't possibly list them all!  There are stories about letters, numbers, high frequency words, comprehension - you name it, they have it!  Each space ship on the home page offers a variety of reading skills for you and your child to explore.  When your child is ready, he or she can even record reading a story that will be sent directly to me.  By listening, I can help you and your child with any reading difficulties he or she is having.

    ABCYa

    Here is an awesome alternative to those online games that are just not appropriate for your little one.  You can choose the skill level.  Need to make things a little easier?  Try working at the PreK level.  Need to challenge your child?  Move up to Grade 1.  I love when students are learning without even knowing they are working!

     

    PBS Kids

    You will never find anything inappropriate on PBS Kids.  Wholesome entertainment, as well as games that feature the characters your children love.

     

    Thank you for your support!!  Always remember that any time you spend investing in your child's education will be returned to you tenfold.  Read to your child, read with your child, let your child see you read for entertainment.  YOU are your child's first teacher and he or she learns quickly by imitating what is important to you.