
What I Wish I Knew: Reluctant Readers
Recently my girlfriends and I got together for a pedicure, and the question was “IwishIknewhow ..Ismykidbehind? WhatcanIdotohelp?” In my first piece, I have explained the vital research that backs up 3 core principals that are required for children to learn: self-efficacy/collective efficacy, background culture of belonging, and social cognitive excitement about learning. These are basic […]
Recently my girlfriends and I got together for a pedicure, and the question was
“IwishIknewhow ..Ismykidbehind? WhatcanIdotohelp?”
In my first piece, I have explained the vital research that backs up 3 core principals that are required for children to learn: self-efficacy/collective efficacy, background culture of belonging, and social cognitive excitement about learning. These are basic core components backed up by research that improve student learning.
The next series will focus on how kids learn to read. To quote the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s or OHRC they are worried about our kids learning to read. “According to recent Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) results, more than one-quarter of Grade 3 students, and 53% of Grade 3 students with special education needs, did not meet the provincial standard for reading. Life-long consequences can include under-employment, homelessness, involvement with the criminal justice system, and even suicide.”
“Reading is the foundation for success in school, work and life,” said OHRC Chief Commissioner Renu Mandhane. “Learning to read is not a privilege, it is a human right.”
They are so worried that the OHRC launched RIGHT TO READ, a public inquiry for different school boards across Ontario. http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/news_centre/ohrc-launches-right-read-public-inquiry
So, how can we help our kids learn to read? Over the next few blogs, this will be an in depth focus on the scientific research to help your kid learn to read (and write)!
For Blog #2, let’s start with the first step. Kids learn to read by learning and practicing sound and symbol relationships.
The Ontario Ministry regularly publishes bulletins regarding professional notices to help teachers and parents with Numeracy and Literacy. http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/ literacynumeracy/inspire/research/capacityBuilding.html
In March 2010, The Reading Fluency article states several steps that help young children learn to read and write. Step 1 is to find simple objects and play! http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/ reading_fluency.pdf
Let’s start with a simple CVC word such as b e d. Identify the letter/sounds in the word bed – b e d.
Hands on toys really help, especially when you use magnetic letters or letters printed on paper to make the word. Basically, choose a object or toy; then associate each letter sound you make with an alphabet letter. Research suggests you begin with small CVC words (consonant vowel consonant or 3 letter words). Say each sound and have your child find the letter that corresponds. Place each letter/sound in a small box as you make each sound
.
It is generally best to begin with 2 soft vowels with 5 or 6 other consonants to create these CVC words. For more info, see the links in the works cited section.
These lovely squares or boxes are called ‘Elkonin boxes.’ https://www.readingrockets.org/ strategies/elkonin_boxes
Practice with your child as he or she places each letter into the box while stating each sound. Aha! Making or articulating each letter sound verbally will help your child to create newfound cognitive connections in his or her brain!
Even more recent research completed by Willy Blevins in his book, A Fresh Look at Phonics explains several steps that assist in kids learning to read. He encourages parents and teachers to use blue for consonants, red for vowels.You can make your own letters with paper, or buy some of these things in the local discount store.
Coloring the background of printed letters on paper with red or
green crayons is a free resource. It is possible to buy magnetic alphabet letters in red and blue. Either works well to isolate the different sounds for children. It is best to begin with lower case letters.
Blevins uses some unique terms such ‘chin dropper’ to describe those ‘red’ vowels because when you make those sounds, your chin drops! My students love to play and imitate the ‘chin- drop’ of each vowel sound. We often over emphasize and practice each of these different ‘soft’ or ‘hard’ vowel sounds. For example, the soft ‘e’ sound such as ‘b e d.’

A FRESH LOOK AT PHONICS, GRADES K-2
You can see in the third photo that I practice creating one or two rhyming words, and then change one sound at a time working with three to five words. Begin with one rhyming word, then change either the beginning (onset), middle
(medial) or final sounds, taking it one step at a time.
This helps the child see that sounds change and represent different letters, not always relying on making a single rhyming word pattern. I’ve always done this, but I didn’t know it was best practice until I read about it in Blevins book!
I’ve made it a practice to include silly or nonsense words when using letters. If you’re asking which sounds to begin with, buy Blevins book. Or better, look on the Corwin Press website https://us.corwin.com/en-us/nam/a-fresh-look-at- phonics-grades-k-2/book248966#contents to see which consonant and vowels he suggests to deepen your focus on sound and symbol relationships. I’ve used magnets as Elkonin boxes, or black squares from a base ten block base. You can even enjoy making the letters and small Elkonin boxes with your child.
Furthermore, please observe the child’s energy and tension. To close gaps in your child’s learning one would want to remain in the middle area to of the Thayer Matrix (https://self-reg.ca/ download/11591/) to benefit from this work.
Additionally, each of my next few blogs with focus on that step by step process to teach your child to read. I utilize all of these steps in my early morning language practice; the total time is about a half hour. This first step should only take you about 5 minutes or less. Keep the first small mini-lesson quick. Increase the amount of words each day. Social engagement is everything as you enjoy the relationship between you and the child.
Keep your eyes peeled here for the next few blogs! Remember, kids just want to have fun!
Works Cited
Capacity Building Series
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/capacityBuilding.html
Ontario Human Rights Commission http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/news_centre/ohrc-launches-right- read-public-inquiry
March 2010, Capacity Building Series Reading Fluency
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/reading_fluency.pdf
Elkonin Boxes
https://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/elkonin_boxes
Blevins, W. Fresh Look at Phonics (2019)
https://www.amazon.ca/Fresh-Look-Phonics-Grades-K-2/dp/1506326889/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1? keywords=willy+Blevins+Corwin+press&qid=1577910407&sr=8-1-fkmr0
Self-Regulation Thayer Matrix khttps://self-reg.ca/download/11591/
Self-Regulation https://self-reg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/5DOMAIN_printable.pdf?pdf=5- domains
36 Comments
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- This Week in Ontario Edublogs – doug — off the record - […] What I Wish I Knew: Reluctant Readers […]
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
Plz answer back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know where u got this from.
thank you
WordPress assists with the template.
Glad you enjoyed the article.
Tina
I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your blog and check again here frequently.
I’m quite certain I will learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
Thanks very much:)
Tina
Great web site you have got here.. It’s hard to find excellent writing like yours
nowadays. I truly appreciate individuals like you!
Take care!!
Thank you so very kindly! Please continue to read at https://medium.com/@tinabergman_52322/how-does-my-kid-learn-to-read-107a15bb1fc3
Tina
When someone writes an post he/she maintains the image of
a user in his/her brain that how a user can know it. Thus that’s
why this article is perfect. Thanks!
I appreciate that this article met your need in that perfect moment! Please continue to read at https://medium.com/@tinabergman_52322/how-does-my-kid-learn-to-read-107a15bb1fc3
Tina Bergman
The end user of this blog would be teachers or parents who are working very hard to teach their child to read. Thank you so much for your response and please continue to read at https://medium.com/@tinabergman_52322/how-does-my-kid-learn-to-read-107a15bb1fc3
Tina
I used to be suggested this website via my cousin. I am no longer
positive whether this submit is written by way
of him as nobody else realize such detailed approximately my difficulty.
You are wonderful! Thanks!
Thank you – yes I still read and edit this blog! For more, come see more over at Medium.com
Tina
Thank you!
For more, please come over to https://medium.com/@tinabergman_52322/how-does-my-kid-learn-to-read-107a15bb1fc3 to read more!
Tina
Hi mates, how is the whole thing, and what you desire to say concerning this
article, in my view its truly awesome for me.
Thank you kindly – please continue to read at https://medium.com/@tinabergman_52322/how-does-my-kid-learn-to-read-107a15bb1fc3
Tina
Hi there, just wanted to say, I liked this article. It
was inspiring. Keep on posting!
Thank you so very much:) Please continue to read my other blogs at https://medium.com/@tinabergman_52322/how-does-my-kid-learn-to-read-107a15bb1fc3
Tina
You should take part in a contest for one of the finest blogs
on the web. I am going to recommend this web site!
I appreciate your kind comments! Please keep reading at https://medium.com/@tinabergman_52322/how-does-my-kid-learn-to-read-107a15bb1fc3
Tina
Its such as you learn my thoughts! You appear to understand so
much about this, like you wrote the guide in it or something.
I think that you could do with some percent to pressure the message house a bit,
however instead of that, this is wonderful blog. An excellent read.
I will definitely be back.
Lovely comment – thank you so very much.
Please continue to read at https://tina-t-bergman.medium.com/how-does-my-kid-learn-to-read-107a15bb1fc3 for my next blog entry that defines the specific ‘how to’ teach children to read.
Tina
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This piece of writing posted at
this web site is in fact nice.
Thank you. To continue to read more please see https://tina-t-bergman.medium.com/how-does-my-kid-learn-to-read-107a15bb1fc3
Tina
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic
to be actually something which I think I would never understand.
It seems too complicated and very broad for me.
I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
That sounds terrific. For my next post, please come to read it at https://tina-t-bergman.medium.com/how-does-my-kid-learn-to-read-107a15bb1fc3
Thanks for reading my blog
Tina
Whats up are using WordPress for your site platform?
I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started
and set up my own. Do you need any coding expertise to make your own blog?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I’ve had to make a switch from WordPress to Medium.com. There is less spam mail and concerns. Please read my next entry at https://tina-t-bergman.medium.com/how-does-my-kid-learn-to-read-107a15bb1fc3
Thank you so much for reading my blog,
Tina
Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday.
It will always be exciting to read through content
from other writers and practice something from other websites.
Thank you so very kindly for your kind comments. I’ve made a change to my blog to https://tina-t-bergman.medium.com/how-does-my-kid-learn-to-read-107a15bb1fc3 Please continue to read and subscribe to my blog:)
Tina
Hello, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one
and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam
feedback? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?
I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any help is very much appreciated.
Thank for your thoughts and the continued reading of my blog. I’ve made a change because of the spam content. Please continue to end at https://tina-t-bergman.medium.com/how-does-my-kid-learn-to-read-107a15bb1fc3
Take care,
Tina
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this website before but after
looking at some of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
Anyhow, I’m certainly pleased I came across it and I’ll be
book-marking it and checking back often!
Thank you so very kindly and I’m so very glad you came across my blog as well. I would appreciate you continuing to read my future comments and blog at https://tina-t-bergman.medium.com/how-does-my-kid-learn-to-read-107a15bb1fc3
Thank you kindly,
Tina
Amazing things here. I’m very satisfied to peer
your post. Thank you so much and I am having a look ahead to
touch you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
Thank you for your comments. Please continue to read my blog and yes you can send me an email when you read the next entry!
https://tina-t-bergman.medium.com/how-does-my-kid-learn-to-read-107a15bb1fc3
Take care,
Tina
Wow, superb blog format! How lengthy have you been blogging
for? you made blogging glance easy. The full glance of your website is magnificent, as smartly as the content!
Wow! Thank you for your kind words. Please do continue to read and connect with my blog at https://tina-t-bergman.medium.com/how-does-my-kid-learn-to-read-107a15bb1fc3
Tina