Thursday, August 13, 2009

Reading, Writing, and....

So last year we worked on learning the alphabet, and clearly I'm not the quickest teacher on the block, but we are finally getting to the next step. This summer Av and I have been working on sounds and early reading. My generous SIL passed her phonics program onto us and it has been a huge success!

We are using the Frontline Phonics program, but there are many other excellent programs out there. The program includes
1. Picture flashcards (ie frog with F)and upper and lower case flashcards of each letter.
2. A lesson manual. There are about 40 lessons total [each letter, 2 for vowels (short and long), and review lessons about every 5 letters]. We do one lesson a day and it takes about 10-15 minutes. We also make that lesson the "letter of the day" and try to do things like point out objects that start with that letter throughout the day. There are also suggested activities such as Licking a Lollipop on L day.
3. 6 early reading books that Av has really enjoyed and is already sounding out words in them.
4. (Her favorite part) A CD with a full alphabet song that reviews each letter and then each letter has a song that goes with it to go over the sound of the letter and a few words that start with it. I think she has the entire CD memorized and it helps her to think through the song if she is trying to think of what that letter says.

5. A workbook to practice writing the letters and it has coloring and matching activities.

I have been really impressed and surprised by how easy it has been. Av has also really loved it and is SO PROUD OF HERSELF! We have really tried to emphasize the importance of learning something new, that it is OK not to have it perfect on the first time, and we have to keep trying. It has been a joy as a parent to see her putting effort into this and growing her confidence as she learns. I highly recommend a phonics program for your young ones! You could do this on your own by making flashcards to save on the cost, but I really think we would have missed out had we not had the CD. Something about setting it to music has really her helped her pick this up quickly and made her excited about it.
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Totally unrelated, but for your viewing enjoyment






4 comments:

Wanting What I Have said...

I just know when MC and G lay eyes on each other sparks are gonna fly! :) He's so handsome!!!

Darby said...

Yay! Finally little G makes another appearance!! Thank you!

mrchrishill said...

G for Great News! You go little Av! We need to get on our sweet Caroline to start working through some letters and words. She knows the alphabet and recognizes letter "in the wild" but not officially working on it yet.

Shayne said...

Very helpful info, thank you for your article.
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