Reading Strategies chart - FREE Printable!

I sure have enjoyed sharing a few tips with my periscope followers over the past months.  I truly hope that this series has equipped you and inspired you to start using these strategies with your little learners.  I know that they've made a huge difference in all of my readers.

Many of you have asked about the chart that I've referred to in all of my scopes.  And I'd love to share this with you all!

click HERE to print

Happy Learning and Reading with your Little Ones!  

I planned for this...and they take it to that!

This afternoon, I had a yummy snack planned for the boys.  It's Dr. Seuss' birthday, so why shouldn't we celebrate.  I had bought these multi-flavored marshmallows about 1 month ago.  And was just waiting for the right time to use them.

I knew I could:
Sort by color with the 2 year old
Sort by color and add/subtract with the 5 year old
Sort by color and set up multiplication problems with the 7 year old.

And with it being Dr. Seuss Day, we could turn those marshmallows into Truffula Trees using tooth picks.  Right? 

And we did just as I had planned...

Color sorting with the Toddler

Addition rods with the 5 year old

Multiplication with the 7 year old.

And Truffula Trees were made, along with our orange Lorax.

But what made this lesson amazing...was what happened afterwards.  Unprompted, unplanned learning...

J decided to open up a "sample store" - Menu and all.  There was even a "Free Marshmallow Minute" when J handed out FREE samples, but only during that minute.  So we pulled out our spare change and went marshmallow buying.

And after N seeing and experiencing J's store, he felt the need to open up his own.  He pulled out ALL his space toys, price labeled them (all by himself) and opened his store.  His prices were much more than pennies and nickels.  So we decided to print off personal checks to pay for his products.  

  

Check writing is something they will probably NEVER do, but it sure made for some fun learning today.

So today taught me ... that somedays I will have the lesson plan.  And somedays they will!  I just have to let go and love the memories, the learning and the love for learning that is happen...naturally!

And remember always...there's LOTS to learn when you are little!

Going Beyond "Sound It OUT!" - Reading Strategies #2 & #3

The month of February has been all about sharing some Reading Strategies for you to try with your little readers.  I've done a series of scopes on this topic...so be sure and catch up on those, if you missed them.

My Periscope reply collection

Now for a recap - just in case you need a refresher!

READING STRATEGY #1 - LOOK AT THE PICTURES

If your young reader gets stuck on a tricky word, the first strategy you should suggest is "look at the pictures".  If they read "bug" but the word is "beetle" in the text, then allow them to study the pictures and use their background knowledge on what they already know about beetles.  If looking at the pictures just doesn't work, then try...

READING STRATEGY #2 - Get your Mouth Ready

...which might not work well if the tricky word is "beetle" and your reader reads "bug".  When you ask your reader to use the "get your mouth ready" strategy, you want them to say the beginning sound of that tricky word.

For example, if the text says, "She skipped down the sidewalk" and your reader says "She ran down the sidewalk"."

You might simply point to the word "skipped" and say "can you get your mouth ready and let's also look at the picture."  Fingers crossed that using just these 2 strategies, your little reader will be able to decode the word, "skipped", and move on.

Make sense?

READING STRATEGY #3 - Does that Make Sense?

This is a powerful strategy!  And if your little readers can start using this during their decoding struggles, they are well on their way to becoming star readers.  

It's simple - if the word they read simply doesn't make sense...ask them!  "Did that word make sense?" Sometimes I even repeat what they read so they can hear it again!

For example, if the text says "The rocket boosters are carrying the shuttle into space."  and your reader says, "The rocket boosters are crying the shuttle into space." - STOP, check the pictures (no rocket boosters crying in this picture), and ask them..."did that make sense?"

Once this strategy becomes automatic, you'll start seeing some amazing things happen in your child's reading ability.  

Making meaning or "sense" of the text is the ultimate goal for any reader.  Now do you see the power behind Reading Strategy #3!?

Practice really does make perfect in the world of reading!  Having your child read out loud to you while you coach them on these first 3 strategies can really make a big difference.  Once you've noticed they are comfortable and automatically use Reading Strategy #1, then introduce Reading Strategy #2 to them.

Keep in mind that your job is to be their "Reading Coach"!  Use positive words, cheer them on and don't drag out reading instruction until it becomes frustrating and unenjoyable for you and your little reader!  If they are struggling with word after word, that book is TOO HARD!  Put it away, take a break and pick a different book that is "just right" for your little reader.

Hope this inspires and helps YOU gain some confidence to teach your child to read!

BONUS: Here's the last scope, that goes more in depth with this strategy!

JOIN ME ON PERISCOPE EVERY TUESDAY FOR LIVE BROADCASTS OF THIS READING STRATEGY SERIES!