| PHONICS TALK NEWSLETTER - Volume 12 - September 2004 - by Dolores G. Hiskes, DORBOOKS, Inc. |
| 1. ECHO: (For short-vowel sounds) Make a list of about 10 words that begin with the short-vowel sound you are working on, such as the a in "apple," using the picture words from the short a page. Sprinkle in about 5 words that do not begin with that sound, such as "rug," etc. Mix the words up, and read them slowly with emphasis. Students should repeat the word if you say a word beginning with that sound, but put their hand over their mouth and say nothing if the word begins with another sound. Repeat this activity with the rest of the vowels as they are learned. 2. ALL IN A ROW: (For short-vowel words) Have five students stand in a row in front of the class, each one holding up a sheet of paper with a very large vowel written on it. Read words containing random short-vowel sounds, each time choosing a student to go up and stand by the person holding the correct vowel and say the vowel sound. (For individual use, write the vowels horizontally in large letters on a chalkboard, and have your student point to the correct letter and repeat the sound. Also, make a master sheet with the vowels on top and vertical lines separating each one, and have your student write the letter in the correct column after you say the sound.) 3. YOU'RE ON THE AIR: Everyone opens their book and reads the same page. Walk around with a portable microphone, and choose a student randomly to read out loud into the microphone. All students should follow along, reading silently and running their finger under the word/sentence being read. Each one must be ready to be "on the air," as nobody knows who'll be chosen next! 4. FISHING MARATHON: Copy the page you are working on, cut the words into equal sizes. Fold them in two and put them in an empty kleenex box. Divide the class into two groups. Students take turns reaching in the box, catching a "fish" and reading it. The first group to finish wins the fishing marathon! 5. LIFE BOAT: Put 8 "lifeboats" (carpet-squares, towels, etc.) on the floor in a row. Eight students march around them while you read a variety of words, most of which contain the sound you are working on but some of which do not. When you read a word not having that sound they must sit on or touch a lifeboat. Remove one lifeboat each time. Students must share the dwindling supply until only one lifeboat is left. (Make sure it is the biggest one!) 6. MUSICAL CHAIRS: Put 9 chairs in a row, every other one facing backwards. Eight students circle the chairs while you read a variety of words, most of which contain the sound you are working on but some of which do not. When you read a word not having that sound the students scramble to sit down. The student left standing goes back to his seat. Remove a chair and keep playing until only one student is left. 7. TREASURE HUNT: Copy the page you are working on, cut the words, phrases, or sentences into equal sizes, and fold them up. Hide them around the room, and see who can find the most "treasures!" They must read each note as it is found. (Consider having a little treat folded up in some of them to make the game more enticing!) (For individual use, another way to play it is have one note lead to another. Write the word/phrase/sentence down, fold the paper in half, and on one side of the folded half write a clue as to where the next note can be found, such as "On a bed," "In a pot," "On a desk," etc. Student must read the contents before moving on to the next clue. Having a treat at the very end is always a great motivator! ‰€‰€‰€‰€‰€‰€‰€‰€‰€‰€‰‰€‰€‰ Teachers are finding Phonics Pathways and Pyramid to be easy and effective solutions in fulfilling the stringent phonics requirements of the Reading First Program. Parents are finding them to be wonderful tools to teach their children how to read, or as a supplement to make their current program more complete and effective. These books are fast, easy to use, and best of all, they work! As always, please feel free to call (925) 449-6983 or write dor@dorbooks.com with any questions you may have -- we're always here to help. We hope you had a wonderful Labor Day. Now summer is over (where did it go?) and the lovely colors of Fall will soon be upon us. Please enjoy this autumn season in all it's glory, and we'll be in touch again soon. Best always, |