Mechelle+Esposito


 * Assignment due 3/18 possibly.**

5K Spec. Ed. Easy Words**

I have one child in my 5K class with Down's Syndrome who is now attending our Daily 5 time. I am trying to adapt activities to meet his need but also keep him as included in the group as possible. During Daily 5 the children have a center for Word Work. When attending this center the children work on building words and blending sounds. A few years back I read a very good book about teaching reading to children with Down's Syndrome. I have used some of the methods and found them to be successful. So in these two lessons I created for my student he will be in the word work center and will work on reading skills presented the way this book recommends. Ordinarily these lessons would be hand made with tag board cards or with laminated booklets. I know that the student loves to use the SMARTboard and he is ready to begin some reading instruction. This is still an activity that would require adult assistance at his level however it can also be used as an independent activity center for the rest the students or could be an area that he could use with a peer partner. This activity is highly motivating because of the high interest in using the tool. It is also limiting distractions by covering pictures until words have been read, lastly it is rewarding and self correcting when pictures are revealed. .

Upper-lower case letters

The next lesson I created was a simple one that could be used at various times for 5K children. This activity was created with a special education student in mind but I have since used it as review and practice for the rest of my 5K students. It is simply matching upper and lower case letters. I also expanded it for children who already know letters by asking them to give and sound and a word that begins with the letter. You could also vary it with having them come up with words that end with that letter. This was also a great way for children who are needing review to get it by helping the special education student who is just learning to match his letters. It was a great way in integrate him into the program.

Blending games

I was looking for short games that we could play as a big group during those miscellaneous minutes you have during the day. I wanted something highly motivating that would also help children practice skills. I created some word family games where the children would have the end of the word showing and they would roll the dice to get a consonant to put in front of the word. This would be a quick way for each one to get a turn and sound out a word from that word family. I use it during the couple minutes before lunch usually when we are getting children to the bathroom and putting out rest mats. It has been great because it gives me another opportunity to practice with the children who are having some challenges as well as a fun opportunity to review. The children like it and all eager to take turns. I am hoping this will be another tool to help our reading skills grow. This also is easy enough for the children to use independently especially when they are in pairs with a stronger reader. Another option for the word work center in Daily 5. .

Sight Words and ch/sh words Game

This was another game that a created to get in some more skills practice. In this game the children get some practice with a grid as well as practicing some sight words. The child rolls first the red cube and then the green and then must read the word in the square that coincides with the numbers. Any time the children can use the dice they are interested. I also made one with more advanced sight words as well as trying to use some of the words that are most likely to use in their journal writing. This game works well for transitions. As yet I haven't tried it as an independent activity because we are still learning how to figure out the grid. The second game is with sh and ch words. This grid has words with these blends at the beginning and at the end. Some of the children are really becoming interested in the blends and this is a quick and easy way for a few minutes of practice. They like to figure out the correct square which incorporates some math skills and everyone likes to figure out the ch and sh sounds and find them in words.