Summer Reading Resources
Summer Reading Resources For Emergent Readers and Writers
Reading Support
The methodology we use in Reading Lab is called Orton Gillingham. It is based on the Science of Reading research and is considered best practice in teaching kids to read. When looking for tutors/tutoring centers I always suggest checking to see what teaching methodology teachers are using and using this as part of your search. Also remember learning to read is a developmental process that takes LOTS of practice and repetition to stick. It’s not always the amount of time you spend (oh…they worked for a whole hour!), but rather repetitions (three, solid, ten-minute sessions…yeah!). Wired For Reading is another solid structured literacy methodology to look for. Using “Orton-Gillingham” as a key search term when searching for materials is also a helpful idea.
Here’s a place to start:
Want to check if you know your letter sounds? It may sound silly, but many of us weren’t explicitly taught. Here’s a short video to review:
Decodable Texts
It can be tricky to find good practice materials in traditional bookstores for emergent readers. Even “Bob Books” aren’t always good for practice if kids haven’t learned the skills presented on the pages. The links below lead to online and printable decodable texts which align to particular skills a student knows/is learning.
Handwriting APPS
Remember handwriting is not just tracing lines, it’s forming letters. That’s why it’s important to find resources that focus on strokes vs. tracing (i.e. avoid handwriting workbooks unless your child has mastered the stroke and is just practicing). Want a refresher? This YouTube channel has some great videos to review strokes:
More Handwriting Apps
- Writing Wizard: by L’Escapadou ($4.00 for iOS/$3.99 for Androoid
- Offers tracing lines and shapes, uppercase letters, lower case letters, numbers, and words.
- Parent can set the level of difficulty and program word lists.
- Children enjoy the color and it allows the child to play a bit after tracing the letters.
- Interactive visuals for start and stop points, visual and auditory cures when they stray from the tracing line.
- Options: removing tracing lines, choosing the font (Zander-Bloser, D’nealian, and Handwriting Without Tears formation options), and choosing between free play or “5-star mode” where they have to correctly trace the letter 5 times before they can move to the next letter.
- Offers progress monitoring features and reposts.
- There is an option to look at each user’s trace history and watch a replay of each trace to see where they had difficulty.
- Parents or teachers can also export pages for each user and email them.
- Age: This app reports that it is for ages 4 and up.
- Touch and Write by Fizzbrain LLC ($2.99 for iOS)
- Change the background to look like writing paper, leopard print, zebra, etc.
- Change what you are “writing with” to write the letters in icing, chalk, whipped cream or even ketchup (my favorite) with sound effects included.
- This app is fun and it can be good for picky eaters since they are “working” with food, even though they aren’t.
- BONUS: Provides the child a comparison of how they formed the letter with the actual formation.
- The visual supports are playful (ex. making the monster eat his cupcakes) and can be removed as they become proficient.
- Custom word lists can be added. There are also options to practice individual letters, numbers, and high frequency sight words.
- Age: Recommended for ages 4+ not to be confused with the free app Touch and write ABC in the Google Play store.
Fun (and sneaky) ways to practice writing over the summer
- ask your child to make a list for you (of anything…groceries, pets, flowers, fun things)
- become pen pals with a family member
- get a Mad Libs Jr. book
- keep a conversation journal (writing notes back and forth with your kiddo)
- invest in some post-its. Kids love to write on post-its.
- sidewalk chalk
- make signs for all the things (birthdays, celebrations, reminders)
- staple some paper together and write a story
- make letters in the sand at the beach
Celebrate Hard Work and a Growth Mindset!
Lastly, celebrate hard work and a growth mindset! Focus on the positive! Give specific feedback.
“I’m so impressed how you used your sounds to write that word!”
“Wow, you worked hard to figure that out!”
“You are getting stronger every time we practice!”
And….don’t forget to model being a reader and writer yourself! They’re watching you!