K.RF.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
K.RF.3b Associate the long and short sounds with the common spellings (graphemes) for the five major vowels.
Teaching long vowels can be tricky for some learners; especially those who are developing phonemic awareness. Fortunately, there are some wonderful resources that help support student learning.
For the past several years, I have used this resource from HeidiSongs with much success. Each day, we practice by saying the letter combinations, sound and motion. After a few times, students begin to memorize them.
Within the kit, is a reference sheet which I copy for each student. Students keep them in their book box where they review the sounds during Independent Reading. They also use them during guided reading, writing, and other times during the day.
I love to have my students act it out. I pair them up and give them letter crowns to wear. We review who will do the talking and who will do the walking. Then, we march around the classroom; some talking and some walking. It is always fun. We conclude the fun by watching this.
My goal is to help my students develop an understanding about long vowels. In kindergarten, I introduce the concept through reading and writing but over time (in first and second grades), they will have more opportunities to work with them.
Other related Common Core Standards: 1.RF.1a Distinguish long from short vowel sounds in spoken single-syllable words. 1.RF.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. 1.RF.3c Know final -e and common vowel team conventions for representing long vowel sounds. 2.RF.2b Know spelling-sound correspondences for additional common vowel teams.
On another note:
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Our classroom is a buzz with reading. In the fall, we plant the seeds developing alphabetic and sound principle knowledge. We work diligently to put those sounds into use. For some, it comes naturally and they learn to read with ease.
Then, there are those which you plant the seeds and tend to them with daily interventions, small group reading, and a smorgasbord of other tricks. Only now, do you see them begin to sprout into readers.
In my classroom, I use several resources to help me develop their reading skills.
We use the Leap Frog's Talking Words Factory to show our students how to build and blend words. It is great for introducing the "sticky vowels." Our students love the DVD and build the words with Tad and his sister on their white boards.
We also use several resources from HeidiSongs. The CVC workbook is wonderful to check for understanding. I have taught my students that they read the words first and then, match it to the picture on the page; rather than the other way around.
Our adoption, comes with an arsenal of little readers which change weekly. My students who need more practice with blending read the "approaching" and "on level" readers. We read these almost daily. They also get a dose of shared reading in what I consider oldies but goodies; many from Joy Cowley.
Most importantly, I like them to read "real" books. I want them to know that their reading efforts transfer into books that can be found at the library or in bookstores.
How do you foster and grow readers in your classroom?
Common Core Standards: K.RFS.4 Read emergent texts with purpose and understanding.
I'm Mrs. Parker; a wife, mother and a lifelong learner. I am blessed to be a kindergarten teacher where I get to laugh, learn and play alongside my students. My blog is a reflection of my journey as a teacher.
