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Rhyming and alliteration, the quantity of words in a sentence, syllables within words (cupcake is composed of cup and cake), onset and rhyme, and other concepts are all included in phonological awareness. The ability to consider, combine, or segment individual sounds in speech is known as phonemic awareness, and it is the most sophisticated phonological awareness skill. Learning to read and spell requires an awareness of specific sounds, or phonemes. Learning the correspondences between letters and sounds is known as phonics. In order to appropriately scaffold phonological awareness education to suit the various requirements of your students, it is essential to grasp instructional strategies at the proper phonological structural level (i.e., word, syllables, onset-rime, individual phonemes), given the variation in student skills.

Reference

Hougen, M., Smartt, S., Cardenas-Hagan, E., & Ebbers, S. (2020). Fundamentals of literacy instruction & assessment, pre-k-6 (2nd ed.). Brookes Publishing.

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All children in Onondaga County, from birth to age five, are eligible for this program. Children who participate in the free program receive a new, age-appropriate book in the mail every month. By giving families books that can be used to involve kids in phonemic awareness exercises like rhyme and sound play, Imagination Library fosters a love of reading and improves early literacy. Giving children access to books fosters a print-rich environment at home, which is critical for the development of phonemic awareness and other pre-reading skills. The books can be used by families to practice skills including matching sounds, recognizing rhymes, and breaking words down into their component sounds.

Reference

For Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers

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KidSpace is an interactive learning facility for kids aged 0–12 that is housed within the Central Library. In addition to a "Play and Learn" area where parents and caregivers can practice the five early literacy skills, including activities that aid in the development of phonemic awareness, it provides a range of entertaining activities aimed at fostering early literacy. Families can engage in activities that emphasize talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing in KidSpace's "Play and Learn" section. These activities are all crucial for the development of phonemic awareness. Books and experienced staff members who can provide advice on promoting phonemic awareness at home are also available at the library.

Reference

KidSpace | Onondaga County Public Libraries

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Create different stations around the classroom where students sort pictures or objects based on their beginning, middle, or ending sounds. For example, items that start with /b/ vs. /p/.

Adaptations:
- Use larger pictures for visual learners
- Include tactile objects for hands-on learners
- Provide audio support for struggling learners

Family Extension: Send home a simple picture sorting activity with common household items.

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Students use magnifying glasses to hunt for objects or pictures around the room that begin with the target letter/sound of the day. They record their findings on a detective notepad.

Adaptations:
- Pre-place items for students who need support
- Use buddy system for collaborative learning
- Provide a word bank with pictures

Family Extension: Create a home scavenger hunt list for target sounds.

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Students move around the room while music plays. When the music stops, they find a partner and take turns saying a word. Their partner must respond with a rhyming word. If successful, both students do a celebration dance!

Adaptations:
- Provide picture cards for students who need support
- Use simple, familiar word families for struggling learners
- Allow small group support for shy students

Family Extension: Play 'I Spy' with rhyming words during daily activities.

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Using letter cards, students change one sound at a time to make new words (cat→hat→hot→dot).

Adaptations:
- Use magnetic letters
- Include picture supports
- Provide word family patterns

Family Extension: Practice with letter magnets on the refrigerator.

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Students can work alone or in small groups to retell a narrative that has been read aloud by the teacher using puppets, printed illustrations from the book, or other resources. This exercise promotes vocabulary use in context and offers a fun and interactive method to reinforce comprehension. The teacher can lead the child's story by modeling the retelling process, using expressive language, and posing straightforward questions. Start by using the props to sequence the story's major events. For support, keep using graphic organizers. Through the story and the retelling process, students are exposed to new terms in context. Word-object relationships are strengthened by the use of props. Students must synthesize knowledge, sequence events, and show that they understand the story in order to retell it.

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TRL is a nationwide nonprofit organization that promotes reading instruction that is grounded in evidence, including the science of reading. They provide tools to help parents and other caregivers learn about the science of reading and how to help their kids develop their literacy at home. TRL offers a course for parents that covers the science of reading and gives them useful tips on how to support their kids' reading at home. Resources for families and caregivers to enhance at-home learning are also available on their website.

Reference

About - The Reading League

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OCPL provides a range of programs and resources for people of all ages, such as free access to books, videos, music, and online learning materials, as well as story hours. READytown, an interactive play area, is part of their exclusive "KidSpace" and focuses on early literacy skills like chatting, singing, reading, writing, and playing. In order to promote reading and literacy development, OCPL also provides initiatives like Read to a Therapy Dog and the Summer Reading Program. You can borrow materials to use at home and get a free library card (no minimum age required). The interactive "KidSpace" exercises encourage early literacy skills that can be practiced at home. A list of other literacy tools, including online learning resources, is also available from OCPL.

Reference

Kids | Onondaga County Public Libraries

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KidSpace at Central Library
KidSpace offers a variety of engaging activities for toddlers and older children, including a child-sized village that includes developmentally appropriate books and activities. From interactive play spaces, to cutting-edge technology, KidSpace offers creative and educational opportunities for all children.
Big Blue Blocks @ Central

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The Basics of Vocabulary and Comprehension

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The Basics of Vocabulary and Comprehension

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Vocabulary and comprehension skills grow together in kindergarten and first grade. While first graders are getting better at applying techniques to comprehend text, such as recognizing unknown words, formulating predictions, and recounting stories, kindergarteners are actively absorbing language. For both age groups, reading aloud, talking about new terms, and doing activities that relate words to everyday situations are essential.

Reference

Reading Rockets

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A comprehensive and inclusive strategy is needed to support children with and without exceptionalities in reading, writing, vocabulary, and comprehension. This entails being aware of each student's unique needs, using differentiated education, and giving them access to the right tools and resources. Students with exceptionalities can use several methods to communicate what they comprehend. Use evaluations and inventories to identify if students respond better to audio, physical, visual, or tactile modalities. To engage a variety of learners, use a combination of interactive read-alouds, shared reading, small-group instruction, and independent reading. Practice planning, asking questions, providing clarification, and summarizing by setting an example. Regularly assign low-stakes writing assignments and offer detailed, helpful criticism.