Pre-Reading Strategies MAGNETIC LETTERS (lower case) � use on the refrigerator, a cookie sheet or other magnetic surface to practice letter sounds, high frequency words and spelling words WORD WALL � put up separate alphabet letters on the wall, write new words the child has mastered, cut them out and put them under the alphabet letter that has the same beginning sound COMPUTER SOFTWARE � look for computer games that incorporate phonics into reading activities ALPHABET BOOKS � cut a piece of paper into fourths, staple them together on the side, and write an alphabet letter on the first page. Have your child cut pictures out of magazines that begin with the letter on the first page and glue them on the following pages. Label the pictures. POST-ITS/PENS � write single letters on small post-its and have your child stick the post-its on items around the house that begin with the same letter. MAGNADOODLE � great for the car when practicing writing letters, words, word families, spelling words, etc. ALPHABET BINGO � wonderful for practicing letter names and sounds! Lots of variations possible! MATCHING GAMES � look for matching games that match pictures to letters using: initial sounds, medial sounds, and final sounds RHYMING WORDS � look for rhyming words in books, poetry, writing, etc. Practice making rhyming words with magnetic letters, pens and paper, on the computer, etc. POETRY � read lots of poetry to your child! Go back and look for words that start and/or end with the same letter, words that rhyme, capital letters, same endings, etc. READ! READ! READ! � read to your child often and discuss what you are reading! Model and encourage as much language as possible!