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Anyone an Elementary teacher???
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CaidensMommy
My 3 Miracles!
Member since 5/05 5777 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Anyone an Elementary teacher???
How do you go about the best way to teach a child to read? Well, at least sight words, etc, and teach applied math? Connor really wants to go to Kindergarten this year, but since he misses the cutoff by 12 days he'll have to take a hard test and get at least a 98% on it. We feel that he's emotionally, etc, ready as well as his Preschool teachers, but he has to know sight words and applied math to pass it. He already wants to learn to read since his big brother does. Of course he wants to do everything his big brother can do, lol. I have sight word flashcards, but that's it. I can see how it can get boring after a while. We've already done them a few times and he can already sound out most of the words and figure out what they say. Any suggestions? Thanks!
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Posted 1/20/11 1:08 PM  |
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ChrisDee
My Girls
Member since 11/06 9543 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Anyone an Elementary teacher???
I know that you did not ask for my opinion on this, but as the mom of a girl that missed the cut off by 11 days, I decided to share anyway. Please don't hate me for doing so.
Jordan was very advanced in preschool and her teachers thought she was ready to push ahead too. I had no desire to do so. When she entered kindergarten, she scored hirer on the assessment tests than any other kid in Kindergarten. Let me tell you, there is something to be said for the confidence that comes with doing well in school. Being the kid that helps others that are lagging behind. I am sooooo glad that I did not push her ahead. She is now in 4th grade and does well in school(other then math). Just something to think about.
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| Posted 1/20/11 2:32 PM |
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lc214
BLUE times 2!
Member since 11/05 1884 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Anyone an Elementary teacher???
Hi! I was a teacher before staying at home with my boys. I taught kindergarten for a year. You can start by making labels for items around your house and taping them on. "chair, table, couch, etc." If you have the time, a photo of the item, even from picart helps too. One word books and books with a lot of repetitional phrases are helpful too. Nursery rhymes in big font on sheets of paper to say together, while pointing to each word. (I personally don't like nursery rhymes with words that don't apply to our generation-little miss muffet sat on a tuffet - what's a tuffet?)
You can probably also check the teacher stores for games that deal with basic words and sequencing.
Really though, I think books, books and more books! Good luck!
HTH!
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| Posted 1/20/11 2:45 PM |
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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone an Elementary teacher???
Posted by lc214
Hi! I was a teacher before staying at home with my boys. I taught kindergarten for a year. You can start by making labels for items around your house and taping them on. "chair, table, couch, etc." If you have the time, a photo of the item, even from picart helps too. One word books and books with a lot of repetitional phrases are helpful too. Nursery rhymes in big font on sheets of paper to say together, while pointing to each word. (I personally don't like nursery rhymes with words that don't apply to our generation-little miss muffet sat on a tuffet - what's a tuffet?)
You can probably also check the teacher stores for games that deal with basic words and sequencing.
Really though, I think books, books and more books! Good luck!
HTH!
All of what she said  and to add..........First, read, read, read, and read some more with your child. The more you read the more they will pick up on. In particular, try choosing a single book and sticking with it for 5 days. On the first day have him look at the cover and describe what he sees and what he thinks the story might be about. Then take a "picture walk" through the book. Look at each page together and have him "tell the story" through the pictures. Then read the story.
As you read the actual story use your finger to point under each word as you say it. After you have read it once through go back and read it again and ask questions along the way. "How do you think the little boy feels" or "What do you think he might do next". Questioning will really help him to think about the story.
At the end of the week have him "read" the story to you. You will be amazed at how much he will be able to recall and "read". Yes, it's partly a memorization of the story from hearing it so many times but this is an important pre-reading skill. As he "reads" encourage him to follow along with his finger. If he gets stuck and isn't sure what happens next encourage him to look at the pictures. The pictures help to tell the story and an important pre-reading skill is being able to refer to the pictures to help you get through a given story.
When choosing books to read for the week look for books that have good pictures that flow with the story, look for books with a repetitive phrase or idea. Some good ones are "The 3 Little Pigs", "The Gingerbread Man", "Caps for Sale", etc.
If you really want to get into it with him you can even start a Reading Journal. Get a notebook, explain that this will be his reading journal where he can keep all his ideas, and let him decorate it with stickers and pictures so it feels special. Then after you read a book you can have him draw his favorite part or you can write down in the back of the notebook every book he reads and give him a star so he feels proud and is encouraged to read more. There are so many skills and things you can work on. For more ideas check out the teaching section in the bookstore, pick up a teaching book on reading and try out some of the ideas.
Most importantly, keep it fun. It shouldn't feel like "work". Choose books he enjoys and make it special, fun time.........not working time. Reading is an enjoyable activity and the more enjoyable you make it for them the more they will read. Good luck!! 
Edit - Forgot to add, if he doesn't already know how also show him how to hold a book properly and how to turn the pages. Also explain how we read from left to right. It seems obvious but to a little person who can't read yet it's important to show them all the basic skills of being able to read.
Message edited 1/20/2011 3:23:45 PM.
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| Posted 1/20/11 3:19 PM |
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maryb
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 914 total posts
Name:
Mary
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Re: Anyone an Elementary teacher???
i teach third grade.. and also have my cert in literacy
the above post with labeling is a great idea...
i was also going to suggest the teacher store - they have little books (99 cents or 1.99) that are leveled.. they have a lot of repetition and use picture clues...
the teacher store also has small workbooks for pre k - k... you can also find games appropriate for that age..
DIY - i have also made alphabet books made from computer paper.. each letter gets its own page.. begin w one word for every letter - together write it on the page (ex: b - sound out boy) **i used a dry erase board and marker to write out the words first - that way if they make a mistake, they can erase (also bought at teacher store - 2.99)
then, have your child draw a picture next to the word)... you can practice reading the book each day..
i would also buy a couple of those magnetic letters (dollar store) to make words with your child.. i even went to michaels/ac moore and bought a thread box - (30 individual boxes) that way i placed the letters neatly and organized in their own box and w a lid....
i would play a game with making 3-4 letter words.. i would also make the word "bin" and ask my student to change one letter to make the word "ben".. then change a letter and make the word "bed"... thats a diff way to practice sounds..
other than that - READ!!  best of luck on whatever happens!!!
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| Posted 1/20/11 3:40 PM |
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jgl
Love my little boys!!!
Member since 8/07 7060 total posts
Name:
g
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Re: Anyone an Elementary teacher???
I agree with what everyone said!!
Also TJMaxx and Marshalls always have letter puzzles. They have 3 and 4 letter words and the child makes "cat" by piecing the 3 letters together. This is a great way to help segment the sounds in a fun way.
Does your DC know his letter sounds? If not you can look up "fundations" letter-keyword-sound and you can drill them everyday a-apple-/a/ b-bat-/b/
The teacher store is a great place (or look on amazon) for books with poems with sight words. I would pick one sight word, write the poem with that sight word in it and have him find the word where it appears. Read, reread and read it again. Read it together. Do this for several days. Kids learn through repeat exposure!
Reading is great but you need to have comprehension. I like what the pp's write about questioning.
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| Posted 1/20/11 4:27 PM |
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allikat
LIF Infant
Member since 5/06 283 total posts
Name:
Alli
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Re: Anyone an Elementary teacher???
Everyone's suggestions were wonderful! Level A and B books would be good practice for repetitive text. Level C introduces even more vocab. Maybe check out ebay. Sometimes you can find slightly used leveled books for cheap.
Out of curiosity, though, are they really testing sight words to enter K? I'm a reading specialist at the primary level, and that seems to be a high standard. Is it only because he doesn't make the age cut off? Social skills, phonics, and phonemic awareness seem more key in making that decision.
Just wondering... Hope everything works out for him!
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| Posted 1/20/11 6:09 PM |
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jgl
Love my little boys!!!
Member since 8/07 7060 total posts
Name:
g
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Re: Anyone an Elementary teacher???
Posted by allikat
Everyone's suggestions were wonderful! Level A and B books would be good practice for repetitive text. Level C introduces even more vocab. Maybe check out ebay. Sometimes you can find slightly used leveled books for cheap.
Out of curiosity, though, are they really testing sight words to enter K? I'm a reading specialist at the primary level, and that seems to be a high standard. Is it only because he doesn't make the age cut off? Social skills, phonics, and phonemic awareness seem more key in making that decision.
Just wondering... Hope everything works out for him!
I was actually wondering this as well. I teach 1st grade and in K is when they learn sight words and letter sounds and how to form letters properly, so I am surprised that he would need to know what he is suppose to ve learning in K.
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| Posted 1/20/11 7:30 PM |
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My2Girlz11
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/11 785 total posts
Name:
Corrie
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Re: Anyone an Elementary teacher???
To add to what the other posters haver said...
1. You could add sight words throughout your home. So, on the door have a sentence strip with the word door on it.
2. Make a game out of the sight words. You could play memory with index cards with the words. Also, put a few on his wall before he goes to bed and have him "find" the word you tell him to find or read it.
3. Create books with him about experiences he has had througout the day in his words. Then you can have him try to read it to you back. So, he will recognize the words.
4. Repetition of high interest books with sight words in them.
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| Posted 1/20/11 8:34 PM |
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lc214
BLUE times 2!
Member since 11/05 1884 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Anyone an Elementary teacher???
These are a ton of really great suggestions! I just wanted to mention you that all of these suggestions are ones that teachers use and been taught to use in their classrooms throughout an entire year. After seeing the list of ideas, as a mom, I know I would get a little overwhelmed at all the things I might "need" to do to teach my child to read. I don't think you need to do all of them, but I think you should pick the few of them that seem easy and ENJOYABLE to you and your DC. You said he is getting bored of flashcards, so you don't want to do anything that might make him disinterested in reading. All of the great suggestions posted will be activities that he will do once he gets in school anyway, so you shouldn't have to turn your home into a classroom. The most important thing, I feel, for children to learn to love reading, is to be exposed to it at home. It should feel natural and fun.
My only other suggestions -  haha, yes another one, is to make use of the library. Maybe even call the children's library ahead of time, and let the children's librarian know that you are looking for level A/B books or books with one word pages and repetition. Maybe they can pull some for you so they are ready when you get there. This way, you can see which are the most useful and then purchase them after.
Re- math - Besides knowing numbers by sight, I really think incorporating math into your conversations is a big way to use numbers. "Wow, you have five ravioli, you ate one, how many do you have left? Let's count." Also, just like reading, make sure it is a part of your home. Find numbers in flyers, on TV, in books. Find shapes in the stores.
You probably already do many of the things that you don't even realize are teaching your DC the concepts he needs to know for kindergarten.
Good luck again!
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| Posted 1/20/11 9:38 PM |
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