FSR A and Blending

[mymommy1]

My third DS (5 last March) went through MP JrK, loved it, and did well. He is at the end of FSR A in MPK. He isn't getting blending, I think.

Ex: On assessment word list,

cat -He can sound out every letter, say a bit faster, and then say Sam, or something that is just a guess. I used letters to build the words and had him point to each letter to make sure he saw them and connected the sounds. We squeezed the letters together and "car".

Suggestions on what to do. I'm taking a week break to decide what to do and give him a break. He is still ahead of where my other two were at this age, so I'm not stressed. Just looking for ideas, even if it's quit for a while or move forward.

[Mary]

Re: FSR A and Blending

I'm certainly no education or reading expert, but I *think* this is kind of normal. That is, each of my kids (current K'er included) did this early in reading. Right now, dd6 is doing MP K and I'm working with her to stop guessing once she's sounded out the parts. She in FSR B and, like you talked about, she knows how to sound out the words and I'll listen to her sound something out, like "P-A-M", then shout, "Pat!". Or with "H-A-T", she shouted, "ham!". *bangs head on keyboard*

I think they're so excited about learning to read that their little mouths are shouting out answers based on (faulty) patterns before their little brains can catch up and correct them.

I don't know what someone like Michelle T would say (can't wait to read her words of wisdom) but in our house, I just remind dd6 not to guess and to put the sounds together that she's just sounded out separately - sometimes sounding them out with her to keep her on task and not running ahead. Once or twice, I've even covered the first letter and had her read the last two together, then add the first. When she kept saying "ran" for "rat", I covered the "r" and had her read "an". Then I'd uncover the "r" and she'd immediately put it on to "an" to say "ran". For some reason, she doesn't mess up the ending if she reads that first.

I sincerely hope something in here was helpful!

[mymommy1]

Re: FSR A and Blending

I sincerely hope something in here was helpful!

Yes, it was. I always forget about building words using the ending or word families. We'll play with that for the words covered in FSR-A and some letters.

[Michelle T]

Re: FSR A and Blending

Mymommy1,

What you described is completely normal. That first assessment is truly a training assesssment. Many a student of mine blended by saying c--a----t, car. This is a stage in the blending process. What I would always say is, " Look at the last letter of that word." "What sound does that letter make?" "Now blend that word again." Some need to move slowly through this first list. Word by word, constantly directing focus and reminding of HOW to blend. Make them use their finger to point as this helps with focus. Even doing all these, students will master blending at different paces. Remind yourself you are in the beginning stage, take a deep breath, and keep plodding. It will come. For now, take an extra week to work with the words from Book A, re-read the pages of words and sentences again, practice dictation of words. Play games with the words. Then, at the end of the week try the assessment again. This first assessment I don't expect perfection, but growth. By Book B assessments, they should be more proficient with blending and reading. If you don't see much improvement by then, we can reassess the game plan.

Blessings,
Michelle T

[Anita]

Re: FSR A and Blending

Make them use their finger to point as this helps with focus. Remind yourself you are in the beginning stage, take a deep breath, and keep plodding. It will come. For now, take an extra week to work with the words from Book A, re-read the pages of words and sentences again, practice dictation of words. Play games with the words...

And try not to die a little inside. WAIT! No! (Um...) Offer it up as a living sacrifice! Yeah, that’s it...

Kindergarten is not my favorite. But you know there’s always READING at the other end of the tunnel. (Huzzah! Hooray! Strike up the band! Peanut butter for everyone!) It’s worth the slog through the dark.

[DiannaKennedy]

Re: FSR A and Blending

And try not to die a little inside. WAIT! No! (Um...) Offer it up as a living sacrifice! Yeah, that’s it...

Kindergarten is not my favorite. But you know there’s always READING at the other end of the tunnel. (Huzzah! Hooray! Strike up the band! Peanut butter for everyone!) It’s worth the slog through the dark.

Bahahahaha! Between K, and 6th grade, I'm giving myself a reward every month for making it through without stringing someone up by their toenails.



Another thought:
If there are other siblings (who actually pretend to like the K student), they can also help with the blending work. My 2nd grade son is awesome at helping his little sister practice her words. I think he remembers how hard it was for him, and he's empathetic.

Also, be prepared for two steps forward, one step back. Maeve was struggling with blending, partially because she's SO EAGER TO READ. She sees the beginning of the word and jumps in to guess instead of sounding it out. Over the weekend, something clicked with her, and she started sounding out words much easier.

We play fluency games, too. I stick sight word cards into those photo cube things, and 'roll' the word for her to read.

[mymommy1]

Re: FSR A and Blending

Thank you for all the ideas! And yes, it requires great patience, uhhmm. I have a 4th grader tgat might lije some sight word bingo this week!

[pickandgrin]

Re: FSR A and Blending

Michelle,
My third kiddo hit a wall at the end of FSR A. We had to camp there for two weeks or so until it clicked. Michelle T's explanation of it as a training assessment is helpful. Said kiddo is now seriously taking care of business as an eight year old in accelerated third. One day at a time!