- A three-ring binder (at least 2 inches thick)
- Three-hole-punched lined paper
- A pen and, later, another pen in a different color
- Fifteen minutes per day, at least four days per week
Later, when we start introducing special sounds like digraphs, diphthongs, word endings, and blends, you will need a number of other things, which are conveniently listed in the New, Improved Binder System post. If your child has an excellent memory and reading comes easy, chances are you will not need to go to the lengths of such a binder system. But, if your child requires lots of review, or if you are teaching multiple students, the binder system will be very helpful, and possibly keep you sane.
Think of this binder (even if you are only using the simple version) as your portable chalkboard, only, if you do it right, you will also end up with a nice record of your progress. Every single day, I write a little on the pages before moving to the actual book we are reading that day.
If you like, you can make the binder a complete record of your reading lessons, and use dividers from the beginning. You can label them as you go. Your first section, if you want to be thorough, would be called "alphabet" and you would have a page of all the letters, both cases. If you have a crafty child, she can decorate it. If not, let it be.
Contrary to current educational theory, coloring is not required for most learning. Also, some children hate coloring, especially if they have figured out it is just a ruse to keep them busy and stretch out the school day.
I do not teach in a classroom, and in general I think reading is best taught one-on-one. Keeping lessons at 10-15 minutes per day is just about enough. This gives the child enough to chew on, giving them adequate time for digestion.
Remember: The goal is not to get a child through the Bob Books or any other books. The goal is to teach them to read, which is, in turn, only the beginning of language mastery.
4 comments:
I was wondering what size 3-ring binder you recommend and also if you meant ball point pens or felt tip pens. And how many binder dividers? :)
I'll be honest and say that I didn't get the binder idea until E. was well into phonics, so for him, a 1" binder was more than enough. I haven't gone through the entire process with my girls, so I can't say for sure, but I believe I got 1.5" binders for the two of them. A normal 5 or 6 pack of dividers is plenty. Offhand, I'd say you'll only need about 4.
I meant a pen for writing on your lined paper, so you want something that doesn't bleed through. I have a fancy for the G2 gel pens in black and red but that is probably more information than you needed! :)
I had forgotten what you said about the G2 pens, but that is what I ended up getting. I think the gel is a good idea because ballpoint might frustrate a child when it refuses to write or skips like they always do to me. Gel is more reliable and fluid. Good call Brandy!
I ended up getting one inch to save money because I figured I could take out the finished work and put it in a file in our filing cabinet to save space if I need to. Thanks for all the tips, the boys are really excited to get started and so am I! :)
Hope you have fun!
I have never mentioned this, but when children already know the alphabet, I usually give them their first divider and call it "alphabet" and they get to decorate the divider. They they do some sort of alphabet craft or series of crafts for fun and put them into their binder in that section. It's just something fun, and I usually read them a nice story while they're doing it, and it sort of starts things off in an exciting way for the child.
For organizational purposes, I then add another divider and call is "lessons" and that is where I put my lined paper.
FYI. :)
Post a Comment