Planning a Read-Aloud Event

Strategies to Model and Share With Parents

Phonics Strategies

Point out letter/sound relationships (use short and familiar words)—"D/d/" "O/o/" "G/g/" Write a few words from the story you are reading on the board or a piece of chart paper, point to each letter and ask parents and children to help you say its sound.

Listen for sounds—ask children and parents to listen for a particular sound in a passage you read. "As I read the next paragraph, raise your hand when you hear a word that begins with the sound /b/."

Sort words—Write words from the story on the board or chart paper. Include and mix words with long vowel sounds (e.g., light) and words with short vowel sounds (e.g., dim). Ask parents and children to help you sort the words into the correct list.

Play with word families (phonograms)—pick a word from the story, such as "car," ask parents and children what the word would be if you changed the "c" to an "f," to a "t," to an "st," etc.

Create a crossword puzzle or play a word game, such as hangman, with words from the story. Ask parents and children to work on it together. There are several websites, such as http://www.edhelper.com/puzzles.htm , where you can find help in creating a crossword puzzle.

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