Tips and Techniques
As volunteers, we always take our assignments from our assigned teachers. Here are some tips and techniques to provide some context regarding those assignments.
CONCEPT | TIPS and TECHNIQUES | |
Phonicsthe ability to learn the individual sounds in spoken language and map those sounds to specific written letters. Letterland is used to help with phonics instruction. | What is Phonics? Why Is It Important for My Child to Read? Who's Who in Letterland? | Letterland Phonics Letterland Alphabet Character Introduction Compilation | Letters A to Z | |
Phonemic AwarenessThe ability to recognize and manipulate each sound in a word. | Phonological Awareness for 1st Grade | NC DPI | |
Tricky Wordswhich don't follow phonetic rules. | Mix and Fix
How to video: (10) Video | Facebook | |
CVC WordsThree-letter words following the pattern:consonant, vowel, consonant ex. cat, pet, dip, not, cut | How to video: Change a Letter, Change the Word (REL Southeast)
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DigraphsTwo letters that make one sound. Ex. th, ch, sh, wh, ph |
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BlendsConsonants that stand together in a word and each consonant make its own sound. Ex: bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl, br, cr, fr, gr, tr, pr, sp, st, sm, sn, sk ,sc |
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Toolbox | |
●Magnetic Letter Tray ●Dry Erase Board with 2 Markers and an Eraser | ![]() ![]() |
There are 4 kits:
In each kit are a series of instructions on what letters to remove from the magnet tray and what words the student is to make with those letters. This activity teaches students how to monitor for a visual and auditory match. The sounds the student hears in a word match the letters they see! It also teaches left to right visual scanning across a word video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0PPFjjO_W4 | ![]() |
ACTIVITY BINDERS - KINDERGARTEN, 1ST & 2ND GRADESThere are multiple activities in each, complete with instructions. More activities will be added as the year progresses. For instance, an activity called Secret CVC Words can be for both 1st and 2nd grades. The student looks at the image and determines the first letter of that object. Gum, so g, elephant so e, tongue so t. The CVC word is get. An example for Kindergarten is Beginning Sounds. The student will look at the picture and match magnetic letters from the tray to the appropriate picture representing that beginning sound. There are additional activities detailed in the directions. In all cases, the goal is to have fun with your students as they learn new skills! | ![]() ![]() |