How Can I Help My Child Become a Good Reader?
Parents often ask, "What can I do to help my child in reading?"  The ideas below will help you work with your child to become a successful reader.   Remember to be patient and consistent. 

 

Phonogram Practice:

We practice our sounds/spellings (phonograms) everyday in our reading group.  Follow the steps below to reinforce the sounds and practice at home.

1.  Click here to go to the phonograms list that we work on every day in our reading group.  (Reading Sounds and Spellings List).   It is a .pdf file.  To get more info about phonograms, click on the Riggs link below.

2.  Print the phonograms list. 

3.  Make flashcards from the list.  Use 3x5 cards to make flash cards of each phonogram.  On one side of the card, print the phonogram.  On the other side, write the description given in the second column of the list.  Hole punch and use "ring" to keep together.

4.  Make 2 piles:  First, identify the phonograms your child knows and does not know by making 2 piles, the "sure" and "not sure" piles.  Go through the whole group and separate into 2 piles by having your child identify each phonogram on the card.  If he/she cannot identify it completely, place in the "unsure" pile.  Use the "unsure" pile to practice.  Target 5 at a time, until your child is ready to move on. Then choose 5 more to practice.  Always review. 

5.  Practice 10 minutes each day by using the flash cards.  Here are some game ideas to get started:

  • Lay the cards on the floor.  Parent says the sound and student jumps to the correct card.
  • Write in shaving cream on a tray.
  • Use pipe cleaners to make the letters of the sounds.
  • Get magnetic letters and use the fridge to place the phonograms while cooking dinner.
  • White boards and dry erase markers are always fun.  Call out a phonogram and have child write it.

 
Sight Word Practice:

Practice sight words each day.  Sight words are short words that should be memorized and are often not easily sounded out.  Click on one of the sight word lists below.  The Imagine It! word list comes from our program.  As with phonograms, create flashcards to review each day.  (The spiral bound 3x5 index cards are great for this.)

 

 
Reading Practice:
  • Read and reread each day with your child.  Build that fluency that is so important to becoming a good reader! 
  • Read the decodables each day. They focus on the sounds we are working on for the week. Talk about the sounds. (We usually circle them in class.)
  • Ask questions about the story.  Use the 5 Ws:  Who, What, When, Where, Why
  • Model the reading and have your child reread what you read to them.   
  • Visit the public library on a regular basis.
Other Reading Sites

PHONOGRAMS

  • Riggs Institute:  This page lists many of the phonograms we use and gives a good explanation of the importance of phonics.

 

SIGHT WORD LISTS