Symbols to text

It is time to get reading once again! Now that the very important readiness skills have been assessed and mastered, the reader is going to demonstrate knowledge of symbols in a concrete way. Identifying letters and numbers is the first step toward recognizing sounds and numeration, which in turn allows the reader to combine sounds into words. If the reader is unable to name letters and numbers just for identification, that is the skill needed before other skills can be introduced. Simple flashcards can be made for practice and drill. Using 3x5 cards, make the letters of the alphabet on individual cards for quick review. When the student is able to name the letters, start mixing up the cards and have the learner put them in order on a flat surface. Then ask the reader to hand the cards to you as you ask for specific letters. The same exercise will work for the numbers as well. Eventually, the learner should be able to recognize and identify all the letters of the alphabet, both lowercase and uppercase letters. Plus, the new reader needs to know the numbers up to twenty for early readers, and numbers up to fifty, then one hundred for more advanced readers. These are the foundations for taking the next step in learning to read.



The numbers become very important as students advance in school. Finding the right page numbers in an efficient amount of time keeps the student ready for the next assignment, task, or discussion. Learning the names of the letters provides the groundwork for learning the sounds of letters, and how all the letters work together. The earliest practice with sounds of letters usually is most successful when letters with distinct sounds are introduced first. The letter sounds for S,M,B and T are good ones to start with. Finding objects that start with the letter sound you are practicing is always a good exercise, no matter where you are at the time. Having the learner produce a word with the letter sound of the day is also a good drill. Remember, you are listening for the sound. If your reader produces a nonsense word, but it has the right sound at the beginning, give credit for a right answer. After a couple of practice days, start putting the letter sound at the end of words, doing drills the same way. Eventually, as more work is done with letter sounds, the reader becomes more able to distinguish the sounds in the middle of words as well. A good rule to follow is consonant sounds first. Leave the vowels and combination sounds for later. The following list suggests a good order of introduction for letter sounds:



S, M, T, B, H, W, F, J, L, N, P, D, K, V, Z, R, Y, C, G, Q, X



Remember that the letters C and G have two sounds each, and Q is always holding hands with u wherever you find it, so its sound combines with u. X almost has to be presented in a word to give it the attention it needs. Getting mastery of letter sounds will allow the new reader to forge ahead with word recognition and the beginning of writing skills too. Until we meet again....