Decoding Help
Hello. I assume this child has been evaluated for reading difficulties. You are right to be concerned. Practicing for state tests won't help the reading. You can get an old scrabble game and use it to help. First, make sure he knows his sounds. If necessary, teach them to him; and provide him plenty of practice. Then give him two Scrabble letter holders and nine tiles (you select which ones-include some vowels). Then he can use the letter tiles to manipulate the sounds and letters, something good readers have no problem with. Example: Have the child spell out c-a-t; change it to m-a-t, change it to m-o-t, change it to m-o-p, etc. These are word chains. The child can sound out each letter as necessary. He should tell you whether he is adding, substituting, deleting, or repeating a sound. The above exercise can be fun; and it does provide him with both reading and spelling skills. If he makes a mistake, have him "read" his word to you and compare with what you said. You can do this activity any length of time desired. You might also have him listen to you "sound out" some words sound-by-sound and have him tell you the word. Example: w-i-n-d = wind. I am a special ed. teacher and have found these activities useful as part of my 4th gr. resource reading program. Hope this helps.
