1. EARLY READING INSTRUCTION What are they talking about? a parents and teachers resource to answer the questions of how are they teaching my child to read and what are the tools teachers are using Presented by Stephen Wolfe

2. The Tools Teachers Usethat you may hear about Predictable Text Sight Word Readers Decodable Text Big Books Leveled Text Trade Books

3. The Tools Teachers Usethat you may see but NOT hear aboutbut they are probably using E-books Printable books Electronic Read Aloud Books Online Books on tape (CD)

4. Predictable Text What Is It? Predictable texts are texts with some kind of repeated pattern. Patterns can be phonetic, thematic, rhyme, or repetition of words, phrases, or sentences.

5. Predictable Text Advantages Disadvantages Predictable texts can best be used to help build vocabulary and help children learn how to use context clues to figure out new words. Confidence is also fostered as children experience success reading these texts. The primary disadvantage is an over reliance on the text patterns in these texts. Children may stop “reading” and just try to rely on pictures or patterns to tell them what is on the page rather than actually reading the entire text.

8. Sight Word Readers Advantages Disadvantages Students using sight word books will be exposed to basic sight words and learn them on sight. Sight word books often lack “meaningful” stories and story patterns. Sight word books do not rely on context clues or phonetic reinforcement.

10. Sight Word Readers Series

11. Sand Castle Sight Words SeriesYou can find some online printable books: http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/sight_words.html

12. Decodable Text What Is It? Decodable texts expose students to stories which include words that have the phonetic patterns that may have been taught in the classroom and often utilize high-frequency words.

13. Decodable Text Advantages Disadvantages By exposing students to words that have already learned phonetic patterns to, phonetic patterns are reinforced and words are learned. Decodable texts, due to their purpose or reinforcing phonetic patterns, often lack meaningful stories to aid in comprehension development.

14. Can You Find These Anywhere? Yes you can, but you may have to work! You can find some online printable books: http://www.freereading.net/index.php?title=Decodable_passages http://www.auburn.edu/~murrag1/bookindex.html http://www.starfall.com/n/level-a/learn-to-read/load.htm?f Most resources are workbooks. Major book stores may have some

15. Big Books What Are They? Big books are just that. They are big versions of regular sized books that are often used in small groups or class read-aloud so that the entire class can see it at one time.

16. Big Books Advantages Disadvantages An advantage is with the larger version the entire class can see the text and dialogue with it. Disadvantages would be the size of them, long term durability, and the cost as compared to the regular copies.

17. Can You Find These Anywhere? Yes you can, but you may have to order them! You can order some online: http://titlebooksonline.com/productlisting.aspx?&id=big%20books http://www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk/kingscourt/bigbooks.htm Most libraries will not have them to check out, but may have some. Most bookstores will not have them in stock unless you go to a teacher store.

18. Leveled Text What Is It? Leveled texts are texts that are written on particular grade/reading level. Some schools will refer to book reading levels as leveled text. For this purpose we are talking about actual leveled book sets.

19. Leveled Text Sets Advantages Disadvantages Leveled texts can be used to help students find books that are appropriate for their reading level while also giving them appropriate challenges. It also helps select appropriate levels for small group instruction. Leveled book sets (and not referring to just book levels) sometimes tend to lack a rich meaning. Some feel that only allowing students to read at a certain level deprive them of pleasure and exploratory reading.

20. Can You Find These Anywhere? Yes you can! You can order some online: http://www.leveledreader.com/ http://titlebooksonline.com/ - use the advanced search to sort books by reading level, interest level, genre, and/or content area. These are for actual book levels not “leveled book sets” Most libraries will have some set to check out. Most bookstores will have some set in stock too.

21. Trade Books What Are They? “Trade books” are what we commonly know as library books. These are generally published books that we would find in a library or bookstore. Trade books can be any genre.

22. Trade Books Advantages Disadvantages Trade books offer rich stories with story structure, plot, and meaningful language. Because trade books can be any genre, they offer students a wide variety of book choices and appeal to a wide selection of students. Disadvantages of trade books can be when used as leveled readers. Often it can be difficult to get a correct reading level which means they may sometimes not be the best choices when doing leveled reading groups.

23. Can You Find These Anywhere? Yes you can! These are most any children’s book you can find in any bookstore or library. You can also order some online: http://titlebooksonline.com/ http://www.booksamillion.com/ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

24. E-Books What Are They? E-books are books that can be read online. Some can be downloaded and some are strictly for online use.

25. E-Books Advantages Disadvantages One advantage is that you can often find a wide variety of genres and levels free online to choose from. Since many of the free one and mainly online, students and schools with limited internet access may have limited availability.

26. Can You Find These Anywhere? Yes you can find these online! You can find these online FREE at: http://www.saskschools.ca/~ebooks/index.htm http://www.starfall.com/ http://www.magickeys.com/books/ http://www.bygosh.com/index.htm

27. Printable Books What Are They? Printable books are books that can be located online and printed for personal use.

28. Printable Books Advantages Disadvantages The biggest advantage discovered looking for them was the wealth of FREE printable books. This makes an easy way to access a number of books on a variety of topics and levels. Most of the printable books were at a very low level and lacked meaningful text. Again, a lack of internet access or money to print them out could hamper access.

29. Can You Find These Anywhere? Yes you can find these online! You can find these online FREE at: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html http://www.first-school.ws/theme/alphabetp1.htm http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/printable_booklets.html http://www.dltk-teach.com/minibooks/index.htm

30. Electronic Read Aloud Books What Are They? Free online electronic read- aloud books allow children to interact with texts by both watching and listening to the text.

31. Electronic Read Aloud Books Advantages Disadvantages The online electronic read-aloudsfound were all free and covered a wide array of interests and levels. The only real disadvantage would be to those lacking internet access.

32. Can You Find These Anywhere? Yes you can find these online! You can find these online FREE at: http://meegenius.com/ http://www.speakaboos.com/ http://www.storylineonline.net/ http://www.mightybook.com/

33. EARLY READING INSTRUCTION What are they talking about? Hopefully, now you know! a parents and teachers resource to answer the questions of how are they teaching my child to read and what are the tools teachers are using Presented by Stephen Wolfe