Viewing entries tagged
Reading

Today's Early Reading Tip: Use Flashcards A New Way

Today's Early Reading Tip: Use Flashcards A New Way

When you hear the words "Flash Cards," you probably groan out loud. I know I still do. That is most likely because you grew up putting all types of things on flash cards and studied them with the "drill and kill method" (emphasis on the 'kill' part)! Well, I like to use flashcards with my students in different ways…

Don’t Toss that Book Overboard!

Don’t Toss that Book Overboard!

“Why would I read a book while I have such a busy life to live?  I don’t need books; my life is a living book,” said the man. I recall this conversation vividly as it initially provoked quite a reaction within me as a college student.  As a student of literature, I wanted to defend the value of novels to a professional man who seemed intent on sinking the library’s fiction section into the ocean of irrelevance…

What Sound Does The Letter R Really Make?

What Sound Does The Letter R Really Make?

Think right now of the word rabbit. Say it out loud- "rabbit." Now tell me does the sound the letter R says? Does it say /er/ (remember when you see // to say the SOUND of the letters inside)? No it does not…

My Kid Knows Phonics, But Is Not Reading! What's Going On?

My Kid Knows Phonics, But Is Not Reading! What's Going On?

I get this A LOT from parents, and occasionally even from a few teachers. The first thing I do is some assessments (or talk to the parent) to see exactly where the problem lies, and almost every single time it is the same problem-there are pieces missing in their phonics knowledge.

Phonics is not just learning the sound that individual letters make, but also the sound made by a combination of letters….

Answers About Silent Reading

Answers About Silent Reading

Student: I have a question about how one should read when they are reading silently. I was recently talking to a friend who is a very good reader. He told me that when he reads, his eyes see the words and the words "click" (or rather the meaning of the words "click") in his brain and he understands them. He told me that when he sees numbers, they slow him down because he has to actually say them in his head.

EG: There are two methods of reading silently: subvocalization (saying the words inside your head), and …