# data[].attributes.headline
What is Phonemic Awareness and why do students need to develop this skill?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is Phonemic Awareness and why do students need to develop this skill?

# data[].attributes.headline
What is Phonics and why do students need to develop this skill?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is Phonics and why do students need to develop this skill?

# data[].attributes.headline
What is Vocabulary and why do students need to develop this skill?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is Vocabulary and why do students need to develop this skill?

# data[].attributes.headline
What is Fluency and why do students need to develop this skill? 

# data[].attributes.subject
What is Fluency and why do students need to develop this skill? 

# data[].attributes.headline
What is Comprehension and why do students need to develop this skill? 

# data[].attributes.subject
What is Comprehension and why do students need to develop this skill? 

# data[].attributes.body
1. Rhyming Matching Game
Educators can print off different pictures of words that rhyme, such as a picture of a dog and another picture of a log. Students will flip a card over, say what the picture is, and see if they can find another picture that rhymes with their word. Some readers may need more assists with hearing the different rhymes. "You can tell them that rhymes are words that sound the same at the end" (Homer Blog, n.d.). It may also help struggling readers for you to start the game by really exaggerating that rhyming sound at the end of the word so they can hear it and then try to hear it in another word.

2. I Spy
Educators can choose an item around the classroom. "It should be a CVC or another simple word" (Top Notch Teaching, n.d.) such as rug. Educators will then say "I spy with my little eye a r - u - g. Students will then have to blend the letter sounds together to discover what the object is and then find it in the classroom. This can also be done as a reading center. Cards can be created with different words of objects that are in the classroom. The students will then have to blend the word to find the object on their own. If students are struggling, this is a good activity that can be completed in a one-on-one setting. Educators can tap the sounds for the students to hear and assist them in blending those sounds together. Having someone there to give them different ques can be helpful in developing those skills.

# data[].attributes.body
Mystery Bag
Many people have at home the magnetic letters that they may stick on their fridge. Or they can be easily found online. All of these letters can be put in a bag or put letters in there that can easily be made into words, such as cat, bat, dog, and so on. Have the child pull letters from the bag, saying each sound. Once a child has pulled a few, ask them to create a word out of the letters they have. Children can manipulate the different letters and sound until a word is developed. For some children this may be difficult. Have them simply start out by saying the sounds, then work closely with them to practice their blending when creating a word. Or you can create the word and have the child blend it independently.

This activity will assists students with their blending skills while also having them practice their knowledge of letter to sound relationship. Having the magnets at home may also motivate them to continue to create words on their own.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Letter Swat
Educators can create letters and laminate them for longer use, or letters can simply be written on a post-it note. Unused or clean fly swatters are also needed. You can start by giving them a letter sound. "It is the child's job to swat the letter that matches each sound" (Reading Eggs, 2021). Two children can play at once and it can be turned into a race. Some children may be emotional if they lose or if they feel like they can not go fast enough. In situations like this, it may be better to play this game individually and just have them try to go as fast as they can. Once they develop strong skills, they can be added into that race setting.

2. Letter and Sounds Sort
This is a great activity that can be included in small group centers. The object of the activity is to separate different cards to match with their corresponding letters. For example, say the child selects a picture of an apple. The goal is for the student to hear that /a/ sound and know to put that in the letter A group. The student will go through all picture cards until they are separated into the correct groups. For children that may be struggling with letter recognition, start by giving them cards that just show the letter. They can practice saying what sound that letter makes when they put it in the correct group.

# data[].attributes.body
Phonics Hopscotch
This is a great game to play with your child over the summer or anytime it is nice enough to get outside. Start by drawing a traditional hopscotch board with chalk in your driveway. Instead of adding numbers to the squares, add letters. When the child goes to hop into a square, they have to say the corresponding sound to that letter.

This game is great for a child's motor skills and also there phonic development. It will help them to activity learn their spoken letter sounds that will hopefully be able to transfer over to print when they return to school.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Vocabulary Bingo
Traditional Bingo cards can be assembled with vocabulary words the students have learned. For the younger grades, I would start by simple saying the word and they have to find it on their Bingo card. As they get older, you can start to say the definition of a vocabulary word and they have to find the correct word that goes along with that definition. "Students should be able to determine what word you defined (or said) and put a counter on that square" (Goodwin, 2018). For students with exceptionalities, you can always start by just saying the word, or reviewing with them the words that are on the Bingo card so that they get practice in before the games begins.

2. Word of the Week
This activity can be helpful for younger students who are just starting to develop their vocabulary skills. "Focusing on a different part of the word each day will give students an in-depth glimpse into the meaning and use of each word" (Literacy in Focus, 2019). Educators can spend a day introducing the word, to then defining it and using it in a sentence, and so on. More activities can be added each day to help a student develop that knowledge on the word and grow their vocabulary. For readers that struggle, flash cards can be completed during one-on-one or even sent home if they parents are willing to also help with their vocabulary development. Doing this will allow them to still learn with their peers while also getting the individualized help they may need.

# data[].attributes.body
Have Conversations!
While it may sound simple, having meaningful conversations with you children can help to develop a strong vocabulary. "Help you child expand their word bank and knowledge of the world by using interesting and vivid words instead of simpler language in your everyday conversation" (Reading Rockets, n.d.). Also if you child has any questions about words, take the time to discuss the meaning of it with them.

This not only helps to expand a child's vocabulary, but can help them to develop their social skills. This can help to make them more comfortable talking to others and using more vocabulary words in everyday conversation.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Repeated Readings
Have students complete the same reading a several times. "Each reading becomes easier and motivation goes up as students experience enhanced fluency thanks to repeat exposure to words and phrases" (Cicerchia, n.d.). This can be done during center time. Designate a center to simple reading a grade level book. Then the student can read that same book to an educator, a parent, and so on. Each time the student reads that story, he or she will recognize phases and words and will gradually grow their fluency. For student that are struggling, assign them book that may be decodable or below grade level. Once their confidence grows with this level or reading, they can be moved forward.

2. Sigh Word Drills
"Some words are more common than others and students who have a hard time with fluency will find it is much easier to read when they are familiar with 90% of the vocabulary in a text" (Cicerchia, n.d.). Games can be made using flash cards of sight words. Put all the sight were cards in a container. Students will have to read these words allowed to be able to keep them. Two students can play together or just have the students run through the cards in a one-on-one setting if they are having a difficult time.

# data[].attributes.body
Echo Reading
There may be a book at home that your child loves reading with you. You can take this book and practice echo reading. You read a sentence from the story and then your child can echo that sentence back to you. Make sure the the child is point to each word as it is read so they are hearing it, reading it, and seeing it. You can also incorporate some emotion and pauses and have your child mimic this as well.

This activity helps children to see more words and also feel confident with reading. Having you read first shows them what the sentence says and new words they may be unfamiliar with. Once you have done this a few time, your child's fluency skills will grow along with their vocabulary.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Guided Reading Beach Ball
This is a game that will get students active while still focusing on developing those comprehension skills. Educators can get a multicolored blow up beach ball. On each section of the beach ball, a different comprehension question can be written. This can include "Who were the main characters?" and "What happened in the beginning of a story". After the educator has read a story to the class, they can have students stand up. The beach ball will be tossed to different students. Whichever questions their thumb lands on when they catch the ball is what they have to answer and discuss it with the class. This activity gets children thinking about the story while also helping their speaking skills in front of the class. Most students will be having fun and should not be nervous when speaking. However, you may get some students who struggle with comprehension. You can have students stand in pairs and allow them to answer the question together. This will make others feel comfortable and have a buddy to turn to if they need help.

2. Story Sequencing
This is an activity that can be placed at a literacy center. Short stories, along with pictures that coordinate with each story can be placed out. Stories should be short and simple for students to read independently. Once the student has read the story, they have to organizing the pictures in the order that they happened in the story. Students can work on this independently or in pairs. For students that struggle, make sure there are stories available to them that are decodable. Or plan to be a that center to help them work through the reading and sequencing of events.

# data[].attributes.body
Read at Home Together
Simply read at home. To help assist more with comprehension, have a discussion about the story following the reading. Ask you child questions about the characters, the setting, what happened first, what happened last, and so on.

This activity gives you an opportunity to spend time together while also getting your children to use their thinking skills. They will enjoy reading with you that they will not pay attention to the work they are completing to help develop their skills.