New writing project-this ones for kids....

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I have been working at school helping children at risk for reading. There is one child that has a particular place in my heart-I know, your suppose to be fair, but.....This child LOVES animals especially snakes, turtles lizzards etc, he can tell you all kinds of things about them, and its obvious that he is very bright. He has a tremendous problem learning to read, he's been through kindergarten twice and still has problems with letter/sound recognition etc. He didn't qualify for Special Services-ok, if y'll want to hear a big long rant somday get me started on THAT!!!!

Anyway, his teacher and I are despertly trying to find some ways to motivate/encourage him a little more. what we would LOVE is some beginning reading books about animals-now he does like the Little Critter series, but what we need is non-fiction books on a very slow first grade level-anyone know of any or have any thoughts?

the only thing I know now is to find some animal facts-like maybe on the WEB then write them out myself using the Dolsh lists-those are the basic sight recognition words that "every child should know" I wondered if any homeschoolers have done a similar project? The school has a laminating machine and a binder so I thought I could actually make a book for him. Anyway, thats my project for the next few days.....I'd LOVE any suggestions!!!!

-- Kelly(KY) (Homearts2002@yahoo.com), January 31, 2002

Answers

Sounds great Kelly. I would probably use the encyclopedia and just write the basic facts like you said. You might put some pictures in and some places for him to draw his own pictures too. Or maybe some coloring pages to go along with it. This would give him the pride of helping to make his own book!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), January 31, 2002.

I second the advice on letting him make the book. Collect magazine pictures for him to choose from; National Geographic is really great for this. Also, get him to help you with the words. For some books, have him give you some facts; for others, you supply facts he probably doesn't know. As much as possible (without frustrating him) have him actually write the words himself--seeing and doing will help reinforce the letters and words in his mind.

Other activities: combine art and reading/writing--use yarn, noodles, paper scraps, sandpaper, strips of cloth, etc. to glue onto words already printed in big letters. Use words that match the medium--colour words, fuzzy, scratchy, etc. The same idea can be applied to gluing on the appropriate number of objects to match number words. Draw or find pictures or objects to match the months of the year.

Every now and then have him tell you something about himself--what he had for supper last night, what the weather is like today, what his favourite animal is, etc. Have him draw a picture or cut one from a magazine, and write a caption (one or two sentences) underneath. Save these in a special file until you have enough to make "My Book About Me" (or some other appropriate title).

I hope that gives you some ideas to work with. Another thing--when he knows how to read one of his books, especially one he has made or helped to make, have him read out loud to the class. Praise him in front of everybody for the great job he did.

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), January 31, 2002.


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