I try to have a simple reading lesson with Julia several times a week. To begin, Julia chooses three or four books from her book box. These are books that she has already read with me. Some of her favorites have been read several times and are quite familiar to her. Rereading familiar books allows Julia to practice reading fluently. Because these books are usually rather easy for her she builds confidence right from the start of her lesson.
After she reads each book I usually praise a specific strategy that she has used effectively. For example, I might turn to a page and tell her, "Wow, you noticed that what you said didn't make sense, so you went back and read that line again. You know that what you read always has to make sense!" About once a week I'll go through her box and remove any books that are too easy or not interesting to Julia.
We spend a few minutes on word work. In this picture she is changing the first letter or letters of words to make new words. I started this by showing her the word 'make' and saying, "This says 'make'. I can change the 'm' to 'f' and make the word 'fake'. When I put the 'm' back I made 'make' again. Now you try. Can you change 'make' to 'fake'? Now make 'take'. How about 'shake'?" Julia moves the letters to make the requested words. Then I'll make words for her to read.
Finally, Julia gets some new books. I choose books that I know will provide some challenges but are within her grasp. I always begin by introducing the book to her, making sure I discuss any unfamiliar vocabulary or concepts. Julia then reads the book to me.
We really enjoy this time together. We discuss the stories, laugh at the silly parts, and learn from the non-fiction books together. My purpose of these lessons is not only for Julia to develop reading skills but more importantly to develop a love of reading. This is a natural extension of the wonderful experiences we have had exploring books together since she was a newborn. Now Julia is the one reading to me!
I have lots of leveled books that I purchased when I was a classroom teacher. Books for beginning readers can also be found at:
Julia is in the Fourth of July spirit after creating these sparkling stars hanging from a red, white, and blue spiral. The picture does not do the mobile justice, it is much prettier in real life.
I prepared for this craft by cutting several stars from red, white, and blue construction paper. I gave Julia a small lid full of white glue and a cotton swab. She spread glue on a star and sprinkled it with glitter. She repeated this process multiple times, adding different colors to her star. She glittered several stars, each with their own unique design.
She then painted both sides of a paper plate. When the paint dried, we cut them into a spiral. I used white thread and tape to attach each star to the spiral. Her mobile now hangs from her ceiling fan's pull chain.
A sticky lint brush is a fun and effective tool for removing glitter from the table (and chairs and floor and clothes and skin and just about everywhere else).
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