From FreeReading
What to do
- Write the letters al on the board; make them at least a foot tall. Alternatively, use a letter card large enough for the whole group to see easily.
- Some letters stick together, so they make one sound even though they are two letters. Here are two letters that stick together. The sound for these letters is /al/. It's the sound in the middle of the word halt: /al/. What's the sound?
- Look for students who are not saying the sound. Ask them: What's the sound? Look for students who are making the wrong sound and model the sound for them until they have it right. Well done everyone.
- Erase al. Now write a mix of 12 letters and letter combinations on the board, arranged randomly: 4 of the items should be al and they should be interspersed with 8 other items dissimilar in appearance to al, such as th and ee.
- When I point to the letters we just learned, say their sound. When I point to anything else, you have to stay quiet. My turn first. Point to a series of items and either say the sound or make a performance of saying nothing, as appropriate.
- Your turn. Ready? Point to items randomly, holding on each one for a few seconds.
- If a student says the sound for one of the other items (not al), point to al and say: You only need to make a sound for these letters. When I point to anything else, stay quiet. Ready? Look for individuals who are saying nothing when you point to al. Have those students try items individually until they have it (but don’t call only on struggling students). Keep going until everyone has the new sound.
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