Reading, Phonics, Fun!

During this ongoing class, learners will have the opportunity to practice their early reading skills using game based and interactive activities.  I will tailor each lesson to focus on areas that need support as well as highlight the learner's strengths in order to allow the learner to leave each class feeling confident in their abilities and look forward to future reading practice.  I will encourage the learner to share interests so that I can create reading/phonics activities that the learner will enjoy and keep them motivated.  My goal is to provide a fun learner centered class that will improve overall reading fluency and reading comprehension.

Topics that I will cover in this ongoing class (based on learner's need) will be: Letter identification, Letter sounds,
Vowels / Consonants, CVC Words, Sight Words, Digraphs/ Blends, R-controlled Vowels, reading practice with teacher created simple words/phrases/sentences/passages, and reading comprehension. As the learner progresses or per request, I will include additional reading/phonic skills to the lessons. 

Weekly Themes (Topics/Themes will be adjusted to meet learners individual needs and interests):
Week 1 Theme: Getting to know you, ABC's & /c/a/t/s/
Week 2 Theme: (Letter A & introduction to letter sounds, sight word)
Week 3 Theme: (Letter E & phonics, sight word)
Week 4 Theme: (Letter I, phonics, vowels, sight word)
Week 5 Theme: (Letter O, phonics, vowels, sight word)
Week 6 Theme: (Letter U, phonics, vowels, sight word)
*Each week after week 5 I will list themes and topics based on learner's progress, needs, and interests.

The first part of the class will include an introduction/ice breaker activity.  We will then discuss a letter and review topics.
We will use the theme to practice our reading skill for the class. During this mini-lesson,  we may focus on one reading skill or multiple per class depending on the learner's need and if the skills support each other.  I will have themes listed for each week, but I may modify the themes per learner suggestions/interests.

For the second part of the class, I will provide the learner an opportunity for a quick share/movement activity.  The learner can share a toy, a story, or I will share a teacher created story based on daily lesson. (I may include on theme music for a movement moment if learner needs to get out of their seat and move for a minute). I will use these short share/movement breaks to allow the learner a much needed opportunity to refocus and also share interests for future class themes.  I find these share breaks are important for ages 3-6 in order helps them maintain interest in the activities and keep the instruction fun and engaging.

The final part of the class, will include games and activities to support our mini lessons from the beginning of the class.  This may include phonics games, letter identification games, letter sound picture finds, word/letter play with changing vowels, draw a picture starting with the letter of the day, as a few examples.  I will end each class with an opportunity for the learner to read a teacher/learner created word, phrase, sentence or paragraph either through repeating, chorus or reading independently based on learner's ability.

I teach my classes so that they are learner driven and fun.  When teaching ages 3-6, I believe it important to be flexible and able to pivot between activities to keep learners engaged and enjoying the activities.  Reading is an important skill.  I want learners to feel excited and confident in their abilities. I love to read and I want to foster that love of reading in my students.