Emergent Reading Program

 Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, several dedicated volunteers appear in our classroom.  They take children one at a time to sit with them and read their little leveled books, as well as to practice their sound cards or sight word cards.  We started the program in late October and it's incredibly exciting to watch the progress that chldren have already made!  This is a wonderful part of our school day, and one which the children look forward to so much.  I am so grateful to the volunteers (parents and others) who make it possible.  Thank you!!!
I know that families are practicing with their children at home.  If your child seems to fly through his/her leveled book, mix it up a little and ask things like, "Can you show me which word says 'house'?"  "What does this word say?"  "Can you think of another word that begins like 'sing'?"  "Can you tell me a word that rhymes with 'walk'?" etc.
We are looking for automaticity with the sight words.  Show your child a word card and then count 3 seconds in your head.  If the child does not respond correctly in that time, provide the word orally, and then put it back in the pile for another try.  (Feel free to take the cards off the ring and mix them up any way you want.)
A number of parents are reporting success with making this practice "fun", doing things like throwing all the cards up in the air and then running around reading them, placing them in unexpected places, writing the words in shaving cream or foam soap in the tub, etc.  Our goal is to expose your child to these sight words in enough contexts that he/she will generalize them and be able to recognize them anywhere.  Remember that our goals for Kindergartens are to build confidence and a positive attitude about reading; if your child balks or appears overtaxed, you may be hitting it too hard. (Perhaps chat with him or her about ways that would appeal for practicing, try a different time of day, or a new spot for working....)  As always, thank you for the time you spend helping your son or daughter to become a reader!