Montessori Reading & Writing: Cursive Practice & Digraphs for Emerging Writers

Every class meeting will have three parts:
1) We'll read lowercase print labels for sixteen photos and discuss the spelling and vocabulary 
2) The learner will receive dotted-font lowercase cursive word lists before each session. There will be a demo of how to write the words on lined paper, including proper pencil grip and correct letter formation. 
3) We’ll conclude with a fun game of reading/spelling BINGO in lowercase print.

This class is designed for readers who’ve already memorized one phonetic sound for each letter. They can blend and segment simple phonetic words (such as “fast,” “craft,” and “pumpkin”). They’re also showing an interest in spelling words that have letter pairs such as ‘ch’ and ‘ee.’ These are digraphs - letter pairs that make a new sound - Montessori calls them ‘phonograms.’ 
Schedule in 2023 week of:
05/08: ch & sh/ck & qu
05/15: th & ph/ar & or
05/22: all & ng/a-e & -ce
09/20: 
09/21: 
09/27: -y & ie
09/28: ou & ow
10/04: ch, tch
10/05: oi & oy
10/11: er & ur
10/12: ai & ay
10/18: ee & ea
10/19: ie, -y
10/25: oa & ow
10/26: oo & ue
11/01: i-e & igh
11/02: o-e & oe
11/08: u-e & ew
11/09: au & aw

This is a highly visual and interactive class. My teaching style is warm and encouraging. We’ll progress from simple to complex activities during each meeting; with reading and writing as tandem skills. As in a traditional Montessori setting, reading is in print and handwriting is in cursive. Sessions will open with a letter-sound song with a slideshow of pictures/lowercase print letters. This simple engaging beginning will reinforce the phonetic sounds of the alphabet. We’ll practice reading and writing words with digraphs such as ‘ai’ and ‘ay’ in lowercase print. Photos will accompany each word. Learners can use writing supplies of their choice at home. This class will be similar to a real Montessori classroom experience; a small group of mixed-age learners with a shared enthusiasm for vocabulary, reading, and cursive writing. We'll begin and end each session with a song; live accompaniment with my autoharp!

MONTESSORI READ & WRITE ONGOING CLASSES IN SEQUENCE:
1. 'Montessori Reading & Writing: Phonics - CVC Words for Beginners' Ages 3 - 6
2. ‘Phonics Fun for Beginners’  Ages 4 - 6
3. ‘Essential Phonics Skills & Intro to Digraphs’ Ages 4 - 6
4. ‘Mastering Digraphs for Emerging Writers’ Ages 5 - 7
5.  ‘Word Study for Emerging Writers’ Ages 5 - 7
6. ‘Vocabulary Enrichment for Emerging Writers’ Ages 5 - 7