Rainbow Word Lists:
Click on the button above to download your child's word list. Your child's word list can also be found inside your child's backpack folder. I will send you a message on Class Dojo to let you know what list your child is currently working on. Learning to quickly read common words is essential to becoming a good reader. As a teacher who has spent many years in first grade, I have always believed in continuous improvement and once we know better, we do better! In the past, students have been given lists of words to memorize for reading. This worked for some children, but not all. Science and brain research now tells us students need to be explicitly taught the spelling patterns for high-frequency words even irregular ones so their brain can know them even when they have tricky parts. Our goal is to teach the hard spelling patterns to “Make Tricky Sticky!” When you are practicing these words with your child, be sure to talk about the underlined tricky parts and what sounds those letters make in those words to make them “stick” to your child’s brain. Praise your child for knowing the sounds of the letters that aren’t tricky and encourage them to keep practicing to learn the tricky parts too! If there isn’t an underlined part, that means the word is NOT tricky and your child should already have the phonics knowledge to decode those words. In all cases, the goal is to learn to read the words in a snap and no longer need to decode them. Decoding is where we start and the process of decoding becomes the bridge between unknown words and words we can read in a snap! The first 4 lists should be a review from Kindergarten Letterland instruction, and the last 6 lists will be covered by the end of first grade. When your child can successfully read all 10 lists, return to the beginning to practice spelling the words.
Pick at least five words to work on each night. Make sure to discuss the tricky parts! Our goal is for your child to learn these words for long-term use. Occasionally review past words to be sure your child has retained what they have learned. This type of learning will ensure they have the knowledge to use them when reading.
There are many different ways to practice words and letters other than just saying them aloud or writing them on paper. Be creative! Here are some examples:
· Make flash cards including squiggles under the tricky parts and hang five at a time on the bathroom mirror. Review their tricky parts daily.
· Write on a steamy mirror after taking a bath.
· If you have dusty furniture, have your child write in the dust and then dust your furniture.
· Write words or letters in the dirt or sand box with a stick.
· Put dry Jell-O on a pan and write the words or letters. If they get them correct, they can lick their fingers.
· Write on a plate smeared with pudding and they can lick their fingers if they are correct.
· Write the words or letters with crayons, markers, paint, etc.
· Practice while getting ready for school, at breakfast, in the car, while taking a bath, etc.
-And in ALL cases, underline the tricky parts and discuss the sounds they make in those words in order to "Make Tricky Sticky!"
Pick at least five words to work on each night. Make sure to discuss the tricky parts! Our goal is for your child to learn these words for long-term use. Occasionally review past words to be sure your child has retained what they have learned. This type of learning will ensure they have the knowledge to use them when reading.
There are many different ways to practice words and letters other than just saying them aloud or writing them on paper. Be creative! Here are some examples:
· Make flash cards including squiggles under the tricky parts and hang five at a time on the bathroom mirror. Review their tricky parts daily.
· Write on a steamy mirror after taking a bath.
· If you have dusty furniture, have your child write in the dust and then dust your furniture.
· Write words or letters in the dirt or sand box with a stick.
· Put dry Jell-O on a pan and write the words or letters. If they get them correct, they can lick their fingers.
· Write on a plate smeared with pudding and they can lick their fingers if they are correct.
· Write the words or letters with crayons, markers, paint, etc.
· Practice while getting ready for school, at breakfast, in the car, while taking a bath, etc.
-And in ALL cases, underline the tricky parts and discuss the sounds they make in those words in order to "Make Tricky Sticky!"