These students are working hard to learn all the letters and their corresponding sounds. We are blending those sounds while working with families of words which rhyme.

While reading, the children are learning strategies they can use when they come across words which they are unfamiliar. In addition we are trying to learn the high frequency words so they have a good base of words which they know quickly. This helps them not have to figure out too many words in their reading. The high frequency words are exactly that, the words which occur most often in reading.

During a Guided Reading Lesson, I encourage the children to track with their fingers at this point so their eyes are focusing on the word they are reading. They should use the picture for support but they we don't want them "reading the picture" as I like to tell them when they start the "memorized" reading. It's ok that it's familiar to them because they have read it a few times. However, we want them to match what they see with what they say. When they make a mistake I encourage them to focus on that first letter and refer to the picture. What would make sense there that starts with __ letter?

While writing we are increasing our base of "no-excuse words" so they are not words they have to think about when writing. We are also stretching the words out to try to hear as many sounds as we can so that when we write it we can go back and figure out what we wrote. At this point in their general classroom they are creating stories and focused at getting ideas out on paper.   In my writing lesson we deal more with mechanics and how to hear and record the sounds in words. The children LOVE to use the whiteboards so it's a good way to work on writing at home if you want.

Most importantly, have fun with it!