Tools of the Trade
Phonics
1. Use magnetic letter manipulatives - One way to use these manipulatives is to have the student sing the alphabet song and put them in order as fast as possible. Even just matching the sound to the name in random order can help with letter/sound recognition.
2. Sorting pictures by sound - Having pictures of objects such as 'apple', 'bat', 'car', etc. and allowing the student to sort them based on beginning sound or even the middle helps with letter/sound recognition and grouping skills.
Source:
http://www.readingrockets.org/helping/target/phonics
1. Use magnetic letter manipulatives - One way to use these manipulatives is to have the student sing the alphabet song and put them in order as fast as possible. Even just matching the sound to the name in random order can help with letter/sound recognition.
2. Sorting pictures by sound - Having pictures of objects such as 'apple', 'bat', 'car', etc. and allowing the student to sort them based on beginning sound or even the middle helps with letter/sound recognition and grouping skills.
Source:
http://www.readingrockets.org/helping/target/phonics
Fluency
3. Readers theater - Doing a readers theater with your students helps to teach them about tone, pitch, and rate as they switch between narrations, characters and setting the scene.
4. Recording readings - Have a student record themselves reading and play it back for them. See if they can identify any mistakes they made. This holds them accountable for their mistakes and shows them that going back and correcting only makes them stronger readers.
Source:
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/building-fluency-fundamental-foundational-skill
3. Readers theater - Doing a readers theater with your students helps to teach them about tone, pitch, and rate as they switch between narrations, characters and setting the scene.
4. Recording readings - Have a student record themselves reading and play it back for them. See if they can identify any mistakes they made. This holds them accountable for their mistakes and shows them that going back and correcting only makes them stronger readers.
Source:
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/building-fluency-fundamental-foundational-skill
Vocabulary
5. Word maps - using word maps not only expands students vocabulary but also cement their understanding of key words in a text. Start with a main word in the center circle such as 'big' draw lines coming off of it with similar words connected like 'huge', 'humongous', 'large', etc.
6. List-Group-Label - Create a list of words that are somehow related. have the student group and label them according to the relation. This expands the student's vocabulary and helps them develop grouping skills. It also allows them to support their reasoning on how they grouped their words as it could vary from one child to the next.
Source:
http://www.readingrockets.org/teaching/reading-basics/vocabulary
5. Word maps - using word maps not only expands students vocabulary but also cement their understanding of key words in a text. Start with a main word in the center circle such as 'big' draw lines coming off of it with similar words connected like 'huge', 'humongous', 'large', etc.
6. List-Group-Label - Create a list of words that are somehow related. have the student group and label them according to the relation. This expands the student's vocabulary and helps them develop grouping skills. It also allows them to support their reasoning on how they grouped their words as it could vary from one child to the next.
Source:
http://www.readingrockets.org/teaching/reading-basics/vocabulary
Comprehension
7. Chunking - Chunk long reading sections into smaller ones and have the student write a summary in one sentence or a few words. Have the student share their summary with a partner before continuing on. This builds the student's comprehension by recounting events and having them explain the section in their own words.
8. Plot mountain - The students will get an outline of a story that contains the setting, rising actions, climax, falling action and resolution. It can also include the characters on the side as well. Have the students fill out pieces as they read to ensure they are comprehending the story as they go.
Source:
http://www.readingrockets.org/helping/target/comprehension
7. Chunking - Chunk long reading sections into smaller ones and have the student write a summary in one sentence or a few words. Have the student share their summary with a partner before continuing on. This builds the student's comprehension by recounting events and having them explain the section in their own words.
8. Plot mountain - The students will get an outline of a story that contains the setting, rising actions, climax, falling action and resolution. It can also include the characters on the side as well. Have the students fill out pieces as they read to ensure they are comprehending the story as they go.
Source:
http://www.readingrockets.org/helping/target/comprehension
Writing
9. RAFTs - A RAFT is an way to write from different viewpoints. It stands for the following
R- role of the writer - who you are as the writer
A- audience - who you are writing to
F- format - how you are writing it
T- topic - what you're writing about
This can be used in history, math, science, practically any subject. You can give the students free choice or identify what parts of the raft you want them to follow. In history, it could be a letter from a soldier to his family during the civil war. In math, it could be a pencil writing notes on a desk to his owner about formulas on a test. In science, a polar bear could put out a PSA on global warming. The possibilities are endless and it is a fun and creative way for students to learn how to have different voices and practice their writing skills.
10. Paragraph Hamburgers - This is a simple way to format a paper. The buns are the introduction and conclusion while the lettuce, pickles, tomato and burger are the body. This technique teaches the students simple formatting and organizational skills.
Source:
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/raft
9. RAFTs - A RAFT is an way to write from different viewpoints. It stands for the following
R- role of the writer - who you are as the writer
A- audience - who you are writing to
F- format - how you are writing it
T- topic - what you're writing about
This can be used in history, math, science, practically any subject. You can give the students free choice or identify what parts of the raft you want them to follow. In history, it could be a letter from a soldier to his family during the civil war. In math, it could be a pencil writing notes on a desk to his owner about formulas on a test. In science, a polar bear could put out a PSA on global warming. The possibilities are endless and it is a fun and creative way for students to learn how to have different voices and practice their writing skills.
10. Paragraph Hamburgers - This is a simple way to format a paper. The buns are the introduction and conclusion while the lettuce, pickles, tomato and burger are the body. This technique teaches the students simple formatting and organizational skills.
Source:
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/raft