Happy New
Year — from the WriteReading newsletter!
Volume Four, Issue One,
January 2010
WriteReading.com
is dedicated to Words that make the future brighter!
Resolutions—or Goals?
If you’re like me, you have
to think lonnggg and hard about setting any New Year’s resolutions.
The word itself seems just a bit condescending. Like I haven’t been trying hard
already? Or… whatever I’ve been doing, it just isn’t good enough! The word
echoes like the redundant cry of, “How many times do I have to tell
you!” I already ask myself that every day. Aren’t I doing all I can, already,
each and every day? And who wants to plan for inevitable failure anyway?!
Goals, on the other hand,
are good. The very word hints at nothing previously sub-par. Nor does it even
imply anything that has ever happened in the past. Goals are a
clean slate! A slate with an eraser that allows the words to be flexible, to
change, grow, and evolve at any time. And what do they say about goals? Shoot
for the stars and if you miss, you may even hit the moon!
We all have far off dreams.
We even hope for things at a closer range. And we set goals on a daily basis.
So while your heading for the bathroom, rubbing the sleep out of your eyes
tomorrow morning, think about something you are going to read today—or maybe
write. How about something you can do with a child? Pick an item from the
outline below, or come up with one of your own! Help a child to develop a love
for words!
Program Outline:
PHASE ONE: (Before a
child can read the top 50 words in the Book of Mormon.)
- Storybook: Read and discuss a
storybook with a child.
- Point to and Repeat: With a
child, review a flashcard letter, number, or sound 10 times. When it is
remembered the following day, choose another flashcard.
- Write and Recite: Have a
child look at a flashcard and write it down 5
times, each time saying what letter, number, or sound it is.
Discuss which ones you both think are copied the nicest!
- Circle and Recite: Have a
child look at a flashcard and find it 5 times
in the Book of Mormon, each time circling it and saying what letter,
number, or sound it is.
- Point to and Repeat with words: With a
child, review one of the top 50 words in the Book of Mormon 10 times. Use
two flashcards so the word can be viewed beginning with both a lowercase and
an uppercase letter. When it is remembered the following day, choose
another flashcard.
- Write and Recite with words: Have a
child look at a flashcard word and write it down 5 times, each time
reciting it back.
- Underline and Recite with words: Have a
child look at a flashcard word and find it 5 times in the Book of Mormon,
each time underlining it and reciting it back.
- Reviewing words: With a
child, mix up and review all flashcard words learned on previous days,
retiring any that are easily read.
PHASE TWO: (When a child
can read the top 50 words in the Book of Mormon.)
- Storybook: Read and discuss a
storybook with a child.
- Read Together: Help a child underline
all the words they know in two verses of the Book of Mormon. Start at the
beginning and circle the verse numbers to keep track of where you are
reading. Read aloud taking turns. (You read the words not underlined.)
- Add a Verse: When a child can easily
read their words, have them read one new word per verse. When a child can
read new words easily, add an additional verse.
- Define a Word: With a child, explain the
meaning of one new word each day when a child can easily read three
verses. Add another verse when needed, up to one scripture column per day.
- Summarize: With a child, briefly summarize
what was read after reading four verses together. Occasionally have a
child tell something about what was read.
PHASE THREE: (When a
child can read most of the words in one scripture column of the Book of
Mormon.)
- Story: Read from and discuss a book with a
child.
- Silent Reading: From the Book of Mormon,
have a child silently read one page, increasing to one chapter, or up to
20 minutes per day. Have them underline any unfamiliar words while they
read. When they are finished reading, have them circle the page number,
the chapter number, or a verse number to help them keep track of where
they are reading.
- Define: With a child, go over the meaning or
pronunciation of any underlined words when they are done reading silently.
- Summarize: With a child, briefly
discuss what was read when they are done reading silently.
Happy scripture reading and
blessings to all!
Hugs & wishes, Vicki
(o;`~
This
unique program uses the Book of Mormon to help a child:
·
grow closer to the things of God
·
develop a scripture reading habit
·
learn how to read and write
Helping a child learn or practice reading and writing skills can be a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be. Head Start with the Book of Mormon: Using the Scriptures to teach Children Reading and Writing Skills, by Vicki Lynn Rasmussen (42 brief pages + 70 pages of flashcards) will give parents and grandparents the skills needed to nurture great readers using a simple scriptural plan—based on the top 50 words in the Book of Mormon. From a toddler hearing a story read to them, to a child reading silently, the three included phases will benefit all learners. Watch as your child also develops the habit of regular scripture use!
Thank
you for purchasing this book! What better gift can you give a child than the
gift of literacy? As referenced on the back cover, the author’s entire
royalties will be donated to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund. This book can be
ordered at the website above, or purchased at local LDS booksellers.
Please email any questions, comments, or success stories you
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2007©LittleRasCo