Stretchy the Snake

Another decoding strategy we've been learning this year is "Stretchy Snake".  When students come to a word they don't know they can stretch out the word and say each sound.  Then put the sounds back together to say the word. This is probably the most widely used decoding strategy. 

Stretchy the Snake decoding strategy is great for lots of small words like t-o-p, or d-i-d. 

There are some rules for this strategy to work.

1. You must look at each letter in the word and say each sound in the word.

2. You must read from left to right.

3. You cannot add any sounds that are not there. 

4. After you say all the sounds you must put the sounds back together

While this strategy is great for small words, it does not always work for larger words.  That's when we use "Chunky Monkey".  More on that strategy to follow :)

Happy Reading!
Mrs. Daniel

Decoding Strategy: Lips The Fish

Our brains are amazing.  They are love to make connections, and they love to make things make sense.  That's where the decoding strategy "Lips the Fish" comes in. 

When we come to a word we don't know we can look at the first sound or group of sounds in the word and 'get our lips ready' to say that sound.  Then, go back to the beginning of the sentence and get your lips ready to say that sound.  Quite often, our brains want to make sense of what we are reading, so we will know what the word is just by getting our 'lips ready' to say the first sound. 

Sometimes, we can even use "Eagle Eye" and "Lips the Fish" together.  We can 'get our lips ready' to say the first sound and look a the picture. 

Of course, that does not always work, and we may need to try other strategies.  We will continue to learn more decoding strategies to help us solve unknown words. 

Decoding Strategy - Eagle Eye: Look at the pictures for clues...

I often hear families say, "I don't allow my child to use the pictures.  I want my child to read the words only."  Sadly, when families do not allow the children to look at the pictures, they are denying their children access to a great decoding strategy. "Eagle Eye" 

 

When a child is trying to decode, or figure out, a word s/he he does not know, the first decoding strategy I encourage them to use is "Eagle Eye" - to look at the pictures for clues to figure out the words.

Books for early readers have pictures that match the text. For example, a book we are reading in some groups is called Maria Goes to School.  This book is about a girl, Maria, who is getting her supplies ready for school.  One page has a picture of Maria holding her pencils.  The text on the page reads, "I get my pencils.".  The children were able to read, "I get my" pretty easily; however, when they got to the word pencils they didn't know what it was or how to figure it out.  So, they were encouraged to use "Eagle Eye" and look for picture clues.  The children were so excited to find the pencils in the picture and be able to read that word on their own.  You could hear the gasps as they proudly figured out that word using "Eagle Eye" on their own.  They felt like readers, and they were so proud of themselves.

You can help your child at home by encouraging them to use the pictures for clues to solve unknown words.  When a child comes to a word s/he does not know ask, "Is there something in the picture that might make sense in the sentence?"

Encouraging children to figure out words using decoding strategies helps build their confidence and helps them become a better readers. 

Welcome!

Hello, and welcome to our class blog.  I'll update this blog with information about decoding and comprehension strategies we have been learning about as well as ways you can help your child become proficient readers.  I hope you find it useful.  

I graduated from The University of South Florida in 1999 with a Bachelors' of Arts degree in Elementary Education.  I began my teaching career in Tampa, Florida. I taught in a Continuous Progress/Multi Age School. I had a homeroom of 25 kindergarten, first, and second graders. Within my team of 3, I taught the first grade reading/writing and math curriculum. 

My first DoDDS teaching assignment was in the 2001-2002 school year at Ikego Elementary School in Ikego, Japan.  I taught 2nd grade there for 3 years.   I moved to The Sullivans School in Yokosuka, Japan in the 2004-2005 school year to a new position as Literacy Facilitator for grades K-2.  I also served as a Literacy Support Specialist working with small groups of struggling readers.  

In August, 2007 I completed my Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Reading from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ.  

In 2008 I moved to Germany and helped to open Netzaberg Elementary School.  What an adventure to be a part of a brand new school.  My first teaching assignment at Netzaberg was 1st grade.  Since 2010 I have been a Language Arts Reading Specialist. 

I am extremely excited about this new year, which will be filled with lots of learning and growing.  One of my philosophies is that ALL students can learn in a safe and nurturing environment.  I strive to create this kind of feeling in my class.  

When you have a concern or question, e-mail me at patti.daniel@eu.dodea.edu or call me at 09645-917-9185.

Learning doesn’t stop at school.  Your children also need your help at home to reinforce what is learned in the classroom.  I know that if we work together, this will be a successful year for your child.