MaryRuthBooks

Danny Delivers – February 2012 - Support for Learning Words

At this time of year some of our young readers seem to slow down their progress in learning how to read.  The language in the text is often more complex, there are more unfamiliar words to decode and the picture support is not as strong.  Sometimes they seem to get stuck on even the easiest high frequency words.  A question we must ask ourselves is whether or not they really know those high frequency words automatically.

There are many ways to practice words, but often we can overwhelm children with independent word learning activities when what they need is more support from us.   It is wise to consider the “ gradual release of responsibility” in our word learning work. The Continuum for Learning Words described below provides opportunities for modeled and guided learning as well as independent practice.

This activity works well with a small group of children.   You will need enough magnetic letters for you and each of the children to make the words you will practice.

    Continuum for Learning Words (modeled instruction → independent practice)

• Teacher constructs the word with magnetic letters and names the word.
• Teacher supplies the letters for the word and names the word.   Children construct the word and check it (run finger under word left to right while visually checking with eyes).
• Teacher supplies the letters for a word and tells the students to “ make a word you know.”   Children construct the word and check it.
• Teacher supplies a pool of letters for several words and names the word to be constructed. Children construct the word and check it.   Then they write the word several times.
• Teacher supplies a pool of letters for several words and tells the students to “ make a word you know.”   Children construct the word and check it.   Then they write the word several times.
• Teacher dictates the words.   Children write, read and check them.
  
  

Providing the right amount of support will make word learning much easier for those young readers who are still struggling to learn words.