RING OF WORDS!

Here we go....finally a post about ROW.

We have been doing lots of Word Work at school. As your child shows me they are ready to begin working on real words they will earn a “Ring of Words”. Because this part of our day seems to be a favorite, I wanted to tell you a little more about it. This is a fun method of expanding our vocabulary, reading, and writing skills, that has proven to be very successful.

I will be sending home a list of words we work on in class. These words are taken from the Dolch Site Words. Students will receive the first set of words after showing me they know all the letters and sounds. I am excited that almost everyone has earned their ROW this year!

Each morning your child has a choice of about 15 different activities they can work on to help them learn the words. Ask your child what their favorite is!

Here are a few things we use...

(alphabet cards, big letters, alpha rubbings with crayons, magnets, lima bean letters, markers and colored pens for rainbow writing, letter stamps, letter blocks, playdoh, chalk boarda, and dry erase crayons on boards)

When they are able to read the set of words they will earn a sticker. When they can spell each word they will earn another sticker and a new set of words. They should be able to read and spell these words aloud without hesitation.

I feel this method works for several reasons but primarily it allows each child to work at their own pace. (Also, a little friendly competition can be quite amazing encouragement, especially for those boys!) As they quickly begin to learn the words they will also find that they can read and write stories of their own. As the students work through the words (Pre-primer through 3rd grade) I will personalize the list to include words they are frequently misspelling in their writing.

Although I don’t require it, it can be very beneficial (and FUN!) to work on the set of words your child is on at home as well. Maybe try making a ROW at home and adding that as part of your nightly homework routine.

If your child is still working on letter recognition and sounds please continue to help them at home as well. My goal is for everyone to be onto words by October!

I hope you will soon begin hearing your child talk with you about the words they are learning and using in class. I can’t wait to see where we go from here!

Thank you for your continued support at home and remember: the best way for your child to become a better reader and writer is to READ, READ, READ!!! If nothing else please, please, please read with your child every.single.night.