Partners in Learning - Grade 3

-Delete Sounds - "Say Meat"  (meat) "Say it again without /m/" (eat)
"Say safe" (safe) "Say it again without /f/" (say)

-Substituting sounds - "use a coin or token to represent each sound and change one sound in the word.  See if the child can identify which sound was changed.  "What sound have I changed?  Bread, Bled (/r/ to /l/)

Start with the number of letters your child knows and add 1 or 2 unfamiliar letters to the group.   As the unfamiliar becomes familiar, add 1 to 2 more new ones until your child is able to correctly automatically produce the sound for each.  

Here are some ideas  

• Put letters on the walls and have your child swat them with their hand or a fly swatter while saying the sound of the letter, 
• Have your child write a letter in sand, shaving cream, or with their finger in the air while saying the letter sound out loud.  
• Write letters on paper plates or index cards and spread them out on the floor.  Say a letter name, and have your child toss a beanbag or soft ball onto the correct letter while they say the sound.

Generate words that rhyme with a given word to build phonemic awareness and decoding skills. Extend by writing the words.

Say a word slowly and have the child tap their fingers for each sound before blending.  Extend by writing the words.

Use letter tiles or magnetic letters to build and decode words.

Read decodable stories repeatedly to reinforce phonics patterns.  These are often sent home by teachers.

Take turns reading paragraphs aloud to model and build fluency.

• Use word-based games like Scrabble or Boggle to reinforce spelling and decoding.
• Write words that follow a specific phonics rule (e.g., long vowels, prefixes, or suffixes) on index cards and hide them around the house.  Have your child find the words and read them aloud. For an extra challenge, they must use the word in a sentence or sort them into categories (e.g., words with "tion" vs. words with "sion").
• A paper plate (or spinner app), a marker, and word parts (prefixes, root words, suffixes).  Divide the plate into sections with different prefixes (re-, un-, mis-), root words, and suffixes (-ful, -ing, -able).  Spin the plate, build a word, and have your child decode it and define it.  Example: If they land on “re-” and “play,” they form “replay” and explain its meaning is to play again.
• Create a Tic-Tac-Toe board with words that follow a phonics pattern (e.g., words with "ow" like snow, grow, throw).  To claim a square, the child must read the word correctly and use it in a sentence. If they miss, the parent gets a turn!
• Use decodable texts for repeated readings, focusing on accuracy and confidence.  These are often sent home with students.

Partner Reading: Take turns reading a sentence or page in a decodable or familiar book. The parent models smooth, expressive reading first. The child then echoes or reads the next part.

Expression Challenge: Choose a funny book, poem, or simple story. Read a sentence in different voices (excited, sleepy, robot, whisper). Have your child match the expression and then read a sentence of their own. 

Listen to your child read any "Take-home" passages that may be sent home by their classroom teacher. These are great for reading and rereading. If the child is not looking at text while reading or the passage they may have memorized it.  Do not continue to use it for practice. 

Regularly read with your child, modeling fluent reading. This helps them understand pacing and expression.

Encourage Repeated Reading: Have your child read their favorite books multiple times to build confidence and fluency.

Practice Choral Reading: Read a passage together simultaneously, allowing your child to match your pace and intonation.

Use Audiobooks: Listening to books while following along with the text can enhance vocabulary and fluency. 

Set a Daily Reading Routine: Establish a consistent time each day for reading to develop a habit and improve skills over time. 

Encourage your child to read texts that they enjoy. Visit the library and choose books that you can enjoy together or that your child want to read on their own. Listen to them read to ensure the book is not too difficult for them to enjoy and understand.

Talk about the tricky words they find. Notice and discuss the spelling patterns in interesting words.

Take turns reading to each other. Focus on expression and accuracy. Talk about what you read together.

Some strategies to try to smooth out reading - if your child stops to sound out a word, remind them to reread after they have figured it out. You or your child can place your finger at the end of a phrase or sentence. The child can practice reading smoothly without stopping until they reach the finger. You can encourage them to make their reading sound like talking.