Beginning Reading of Words

7:00 AM

Learning to read actual words can be so difficult for beginning readers. Learners need to understand that letters make sounds, and when you put the sounds together, you can read words. As soon as you teach a vowel sound, your learners are ready to start reading words.

 We just finished learning all about the letter i  (t, b, f, m, n, u, c, i was the order) so we worked on reading it, in, and if. Check out my Blending Post to see how to teach these words most effectively.

 Many students know a few sight words, so they get to practice these words to help them be able to read fluently. Having students sort the words into a known column and unknown column is my favorite activity to really help the students see growth in their own reading. Sometimes we work with a friend. You will be amazed by what they learn from each other!

Check out other ways to practice learning high frequency words at High Frequency + Research. 

Not all words can be blended together so readers have to memorize words. Readers need to be able to say the word quickly but will need to be taught how to send these words to long term memory, 

How do you do it?

Tell your learners to spell the word then say the word. It will help put the word into long term memory. Start with the word my.

 point to m, say "m"...point to y, say "y"...say my...practice 10 times. "m-y... my" (or as many as it takes each individual brain to remember)

Remind readers that when they see this word, spell it first. Learners are so excited when they spell m-y and the word my pops out of their mouths! Then practice with other sight words (words that can not be sounded out). Be sure to practice and teach your learners how to do this; it will take many repetitions.

To help my readers practice, I use my Dino Words to practice the process. The "lightning" trick tells the reader to spell the word. If there is no lightning, blend the words. It is a great first step for beginning readers to practice these skills.
Check out other ways we use Dinos to learn words at my Teach Magically Blog post. 

I hope you have fun practicing high frequency words with your learners to help them become fluent readers. Always remember to Teach Magically!


by Debora Marines

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