Immaculata, Pennsylvania 19345-0200 Catholic Schools

HELPING K-2 STUDENTS STRUGGLING WITH READING AND WRITINGSister Adrienne Saybolt, I.H.M. asaybolt@msn.comReading: The ear develops before the eye. Therefore, children learn language first byhearing, not by sight. Remembering that phonemic awareness happens first, let us beginwith reading by offering some hearing tips.Children learn language and speaking patterns through conversation that includes goodgrammar and proper syntax. Always avoid any pattern that hints of “baby talk”!Children do not acquire good patterns by playing computer games (educational thoughthey may be), or by texting as they grow older. That is why experts tell us to disciplineourselves not to talk down to little ones. Rather never hesitate to elevate the vocabularylevel and use complex sentences as the year progresses. This is not counterproductive forstruggling learners! Another helpful technique is self-talk. The teacher thinks out loud ina stage whisper about how to construct a sentence or solve a problem e.g. “I think I needto read that again because it didn’t make sense to me”. When a child perceives theteacher as struggling through a passage or needing to practice, it eases the pressure ofthinking he/she has to be perfect the first time.As an alternate to your own voice or that of an aide when reading aloud, explore thewebsite www.storylineonline.net. This is a free web-site done by the Screen ActorsGuild where you will find famous celebrities reading children’s literature. Many of ourstudents don’t have the advantage of an adult reading to them, so this is a wonderfulresource.As alphabetical awareness grows, children will be able to apply their growing fluency ina more rapid manner. Beware though: speed is not the goal. Comprehension is the goal.As teachers we have so much to accomplish in a day that we can begrudge “wastingtime” having students reread a passage for fluency and expression. Don’t punish yourselfthat way, because the time is certainly not wasted.Do you ever feel as if you need an inexpensive gimmick to help students with their lettersounds and combinations? Here are two which I learned from Joan Aldrich Knight(Bureau of Education and Research):1) Use a plastic set of letter and hot glue the k to the n. Paint the k white (because it’s asilent ghost). Do the same with w and r, painting the w in white for the same reason.Because they never come apart it signals the eye that they travel together and make onesound. When you are working on ending sounds, glue –ed or –ing together. After yourteaching lessons, the students can work at a center building those endings on base words.2) Save the cardboard tubes from rolls of paper towels. These become telescopes andstudents go on a scavenger hunt through a passage (e.g. the Morning Message) to find allthe sounds you have been working on (e.g. –ay).Example: Today is Monday. It is raining so we must stay inside. Do you knowany games we can play?

Writing: There are always those who have trouble finding a topic. Many times we givea sentence starter or a general idea. For these learners, try giving a very specific sentencestarter. “I know about ” “I think because so that’s why .”To cut down on interruptions while you are working with another group, post all thecorrect spellings of color words, months, days of the week on the word wall. As that wallgrows, consider categories other than alphabetical order. Remember these are thestudents who have trouble reading so they might not be able to spot the word in thatorder. How about categories like family, pets, holidays? If a child doesn’t know thatgrandmother begins with g, he’s lost. At least focusing on the family category, he standsa chance. Ask the student what sound is in the middle of grandMother. That way you arehelping without spoon feeding, and the student may be able to distinguish more easilybetween grandmother and grandfather – both long words. Most of us do not spell everyword for the children, but ask them to do the best they can, and that we’ll be back soon tocheck. This temporary spelling allows them to move on instead of getting stuck trying towrite, when writing is a source of frustration to begin with!To develop a story, have the children “pass the pen” (or marker, if you are recording onchart paper). You start the story. Pass the pen to the next child who adds an idea. Keeppassing the pen until each person in the group has had a turn. You may want to add awrap-up sentence yourself. Don’t worry if the result is a silly story. The point is thatthese strugglers are getting experience putting ideas on paper.The next issue of the ABCs will pursue more of these reading and writing tips for thestruggling learners. If you have an idea which you could share to help teachers in thesetwo areas, feel free to email me at the above address. I will gladly pass them on andcredit you.

Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of MaryImmaculata, Pennsylvania 19345Welcome Back!(Tune: “You Are My Sunshine”)The Summer’s over – no more vacation,But I have had a lot of fun!And I am happy, and I’m excited‘Cause now at last the school year hasbegun!The ABC’s of SummerBrainstorm with students a list of theirsummer of activities. Write ideas onchalkboard, Smartboard or chart paper.Assign or allow each child to choose a letter of thealphabet and on a 12”X18” or 8X11” sheet of paperthe child will complete this sentence at the top of paper:(Alphabet letter) is for (a word or phrase fromthe list that begins with that particular letter.)The child then illustrates the idea. Have class assist inassembling pages inalphabetical order to create aB is for beach daysbook: The ABC’s of Summer.of fun.You can place book inclassroom library, schoollibrary or post outsideclassroom to create an earlysense of accomplishment foryour students!Prayer PoemJesus, help me to be good,Loving others as I should,Telling the truth and playing fair,Smiling gladly when I share,Giving joy in all I doBecause I want to be like You!August, 2012God Made Us the Same(Tune: “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” )In our class we have many children,We’re different but really the same.In our class we have many children,And we know every person by name.But inside, inside, yes, inside our heartsWe’re the same, the same –Inside, inside,It’s inside God made us the same!Ten Little FingersI have ten little fingersThey all belong to me;I can make them do things.Would you like to see?I can shut them up tight;I can open them wide;I can put them together;I can make them hide;I can make them jump high;I can make them jump low;I can put them togetherAnd hold them just so! (Folded for prayer!)Numbers Are Fun!Numbers are fun whatever you do;First comes one and then comes two.After two comes three and four; then comes fiveNow count once more:1,2,3,4,5!You can count to five – that’s fine!Number six is next in line;Then comes seven, eight, nine and tenNow let’s stop and count again:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10!

Brown Bag it!Peace is Not (Poem for remembering 9/11)As a way of introducing yourself to your class on thefirst day of school, bring a brown bag full of items thattell about yourself. Share these with your students.They could be things that tell about your family, ahobby, travels, an embarrassing moment, etc. Then,as a homework assignment for the first night or firstweek of school, give each child a brown lunch bag,with the poem below attached:My Little Brown BagHave children bring their bags full of 5 items to sharewith their classmates during first days of school. Thisis a fun way to get to know one another and findcommon interests!Action PhonicsDetermine an action for a beginning lettersound that the children can demonstrate: Explain that dance and dot have the samebeginning sound. Tell students that whenever you say a word withthe same beginning sound as dance that theybegin to dance. Add words that have the same beginning soundas jump, hop, tap, run, wave, etc. Use as a review activity for beginning sounds.Letter Line-upString a clothesline in classroom and attachplastic colored clothespins labeled A to Z. Drillmatching upper case and lower case letters byhaving children match cards to pins. Just mix upthe clip pins to reinforce ABC order as well.aFfPpPeace is not a big, long wordToo hard to understand.I asked my teacher if I could hold PeaceHere inside my hand.She told me Peace is not a thingYou hold and touch and feel,I asked my teacher how this PeaceCould be a thing that’s real?In this brown bag you will find,Things that show I'm one of a kind,5 items of stuff I like,My family, friends, a hobby, or bike.So when I share these things with you,You'll find out things you never knew!APeace is not a big, long wordThat I can’t spell.It’s got five letters – only five!And I can spell quite well.DdShe told me something simple,That I will not forget.She said that even though we’ve tried,Our world is not peaceful yet.So now I know that PeaceIs not just a little word.I have learned to spell it –And my voice will soon be heard!I may be just a child and haveLots more to learn and see.But I know that Peace begins with Love And Love is inside of me!Focus on RESPECTTeaching respect in our Catholicschools is to follow in thefootsteps of Jesus, who lived andtaught the meaning of respectingall persons. Help students makea list/chart/poster of ideas thatdescribe how they show respectfor one another: Treat others as you like to be treated.Use kind words about others.Use good manners. (Please, thankyou, I’m sorry, etc.)Pick up belongings.Return items you borrow.Use titles for grown-ups. (Mr., Mrs.,Ms. ,etc.)Let others go first.

Johnny AppleseedFollowing DirectionsTouch your left knee, then your right:Touch your left thumb of small height.Raise your right hand to the sky;With your right hand, touch your eye.Now, please shake hands with a friend;Touch your left foot down at the end.Touch your left ear, then your shoulder;Wave your left hand before you’re older.Touch your right leg and left hip;Touch your head then your lower lip.Raise your left hand then your right;Clap both hands with all your might!Sept. 26, 1774 – John Chapman’s BirthdayA Choral Reading1. Born back in seventeen seventy-four,Gentle John Chapman lives through folklore2. He loved all creature – all bears, birds & bees,But what he loved best were his apple trees.Chorus:Oh, gentle Johnny of Appleseed fame,Barefoot into this great country you came.We hear the heartwarming story todayOf apple seeds that you sowed on your way.Bulletin Board Idea3. He walked alone across mountain and plainCarrying apple seeds through snow and rain.Give each student in the class a cut form of a child.Invite students to dress (color) the figures to lookthemselves. Be sure to include one for the teacher!When all students are finished their figures assemblebulletin board with figures in a circle.4. He planted orchards with bags full of seed,Apple trees pioneer families would need.(Chorus)5. Alone Johnny lived in his great forest home,With wild animals he’d play and roam.Each of us is special6. Friend to each Indian and pioneer,Bugs and bears, fish and wolves,Raccoons, moose and deer. (Chorus)7. Next time dessert is plump apple pie,Or someone says “You’re the apple of my eye.”8. Remember Johnny with his great big planOf growing apple trees throughout the land.(Chorus)In God’s Circle of LoveRelated Apple ActivitiesJesus Loves Children(Tune: “Oh, Susanna”)Our Jesus sat with childrenBy the Sea of Galilee,And He often placed a little oneRight there upon his knee.And He talked with themAnd showed themThe Christian way to live.Dear Jesus loved each little face;No matter what his race.Oh, dear Jesus,I’m happy as can beTo think you love all boys and girlsThe same as You love me!Language Arts: Discuss exaggeration vs. reality whenreading about Johnny Appleseed. List steps to get apples from the orchardto the market.Science: Teach parts of a tree and an apple. Look at apple seeds with a magnifyingglass or under a microscope.Math: Predict the number of seeds in an apple. Graph favorite apple foods.Social Studies: Use a map to find places where JohnnyAppleseed planted apple seeds.Religion: Have students complete the sentence:I know I am the “the apple of God’s eye”because .

Dance of the LeavesSolo:The autumn leaves are dancing downRefrain:Dance, leaves, dance!Solo:Leaves of crimson, gold and brownRefrain:Dance, leaves, dance!Solo:Let the wind whirl you around,Make a carpet for the ground.Soon you’ll sleep without a sound!We Have RulesWe have rules.We have rules.Rules to keep us safe at school.We use inside voices and walking feet,(point to mouth, then to feet).We don't touch or bother the friends we meet.(Hug self and shake head)And when we're eating we stay in our seats,(sit and pretend to eat)'Cause we have rulesAt our school.Priscilla M. StarrettRefrain: Dance, leaves, dance!OctoberSome More Bulletin Board Ideas A Bushel of Fun - Use a bushel basket drawing onthe bulletin board and fill it with goods from theFall harvest season (squash, pumpkins.) thenchange out items in basket as year progresses.We Love This School - individualnames printed on identical fish,use a blue background and othersea life for a school of fishOctober's the monthWhen the smallest breezeGives us a showerOf autumn leaves.Bonfires and pumpkins,Leaves sailing down October is redAnd golden and brown.When Should I Pray?Falling into Place (or Fall intoLearning) - Autumn theme with a tree anddifferent gold, red and brown shades of leavesfalling to the ground, use students names ifdesiredShould I pray in the morning?Should I only pray at night?Should I only pray when it’s dark outside?In my room when I turn out the light?Everybody Fits in Here - design a large-scalecolorful jigsaw puzzle, put students' names onindividual puzzle piecesOr can I pray whenever I want to?When I hear God talking to me?I don’t always have to pray in a churchAnd I don’t have to be on knees.The Sign of Good Things to Come - design differentroad signs and street signs with regular eventsand dates listed (for instance: All-School YardSale, September 20th, see Mrs. Smith to donateitems), list all important upcoming dates sostudents can be reminded of the fun stuff to lookforward to.Nuts About School - use acorn and squirrel graphicsWe're a Colorful Class - paint buckets with paintbrushes and student's names on different colorsof construction paper cut to look like paint spills.So I’ll pray when I have a question,And there are things that I’ve got to sort out.But I’ll also pray when I just want to talkAnd tell God what I’m thinking about.Before and AfterAt the beginning of the school yearfile away samples of student papers.Around May, fix a bulletin board of“paper pairs” to allow students to seefirst hand their own progress during theschool year.

Christopher Columbus(Tune: “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”)Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492.Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492.With three tall ships, 120 menSailing on, sailing on, sailing on, on, on, on –Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492.He proved the earth was round,not flat in 1492.He proved the earth was round,not flat in 1492.With three tall ships, 120 men,Sailing on, sailing on, sailing on,on, on, on –He proved the earth was round,not flat in 1492.Three Minute Brain BreaksThese are great to use anytime yourstudents are feeling restless and arestruggling to pay attention. Most ofthese will only take a few minutes, and then you canget back to the lesson with your students ready tofocus on the lesson at hand. 5-4-3-2-1. In this simple game, students standup and the teacher (or leader) has them do fivedifferent movements in descending order. Forexample the teacher would say: "Do fivejumping jacks, spin around four times, hop onone foot three times, walk all the way aroundthe classroom two times, give yourneighbor one high-five (pausing in betweeneach task for students to do it). Dance Party! Put on some rockin' music anddance! If you can make the room semi-darkand have a black light or other special effect,your kids will love it! Keep it Up: Students must keep a balloon orbeach ball from hitting the ground. Add two orthree balls to make it even more fun. Simon Says An oldie but a goody! Line Up! Have students line up using a specificcriteria such as age (use day and month, notjust year), height, alphabetically by middlename, hair length, etc.Name CheckPrior to collecting students’ papers say, “Ifyour name is on your paper, place a checkbeside it.” After students are familiar withthis procedure, shorten the reminder to“Name check!” No more nameless papers!Transition to Reading Song(Tune: “London Bridges”)Reading time is here again,here again, here again.Reading time is here againWe love READING!Words and letters we can do,we can do, we can do.Words and letters we can doWe love READING!Halloween CarnivalPlan a Halloween Carnivalfor your class, grade orschool. Create a spirit ofsharing, insure the safety ofyour “trick or treaters” as well as provide a serviceproject for your students. Each child could pay asmall admission to be donated to the Missions. Invite 8th graders or Confirmation class toassist Have parent volunteers plan refreshmentsfor the afternoon of Halloween or dayclosest to it. Plan games such as: Ghost Bingo, Pin theNose on the Witch, Face Painting, Guessthe weight of a Pumpkin, Math Facts withcandy corn, etc. Read a scary Halloween story.Halloween Websiteswww.theworlds.com/halloweenallows students to have aninteractive experience of cuttingtheir own pumpkin to make a jack-o-lantern!www.apples4theteacher provides manyinteractive Halloween Math en/ has games and activities.

Election Campaign ButtonThanksgiving Song(Tune:”Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”)With election day on November 6th, havechildren think about what their “platform”would be if a student were President.Along with using their imaginations, try totap children’s sense of justice andfreedom. Invite them to integrate values with creativityin order to work for a peaceful world.We are thankful for good thingsGod has sent and so we sing,Food and families, friends and snow,Flowers, trees and things that grow.Thank You, God, for all Your care;Help us now to love and share!Turkey TripletIf I were PresidentIntroduce the following triplet to your class:Turkey green, turkey yellow,Turkey says,“You’re a fine fellow!”Explain to students that this three-line rhyme iscalled a “turkey note” which has been aThanksgiving custom in Iowa since the 1890’s.Brainstorm words that rhyme with variouscolors and write list on Smartboard orchalkboard. (e.g. blue/dew, pink/sink,brown/town, red/bed, green/mean, etc.)Seven Principles of Catholic Social Teaching1.2.3.4.5.6.7.All humans are sacred.Families & communities are called to be life-givers.Human persons have rights andresponsibilities.The poor and vulnerable deservedignity and care.Workers have rights and dignity.The whole world is called to solidarity.We must care for Earth which supports us in life.I Like to Be NiceI like to be nice to all people at school;It makes them feel greatAnd I know it’s the rule!Being thoughtful of others is something I do.I look when they speak and I listen well, too.Before I do, before I say,I think: “Would I like to be treated this way?”Have students write a “turkeynote” on an outline of a turkey,substituting their favorite colorsfor the underlined words aboveand writing an original thirdline.Turkey TalesThese titles are sure to spark student interestas well as many integrated learning activities: Perky Turkey’s Perfect Plans by J

Fall, 2012 Cover Sister Monica Therese Sicilia, I.H.M. IHM Best Practices Sister Margaret Rose Adams, I.H.M For Teachers: Sister Adrienne Saybolt, I.H.M. “Helping K-2 Students Struggling with Reading and Writing” Prime Times Sister Rita James Murphy, I.H.M. Good Writer