Reading is FUN

I tricked the kids into reading and learning with this neat little activity I found at 1+1+1=1 website.

They are cards that you print out and use to label objects around your house. I used it as a game for the kids.

The cards are great...there are so many words!

Even some that we don't even have (like crib, stereo, candle, and stairs)

And there were blanks so you could write your own.



What I did: I would pull a card out of a bowl and put a piece of tape on it and give it to Nick or Stella to read and then match to the household object.

Here is a video of several little clips of the kids playing my game. You can see that point when their lightbulbs come on! At the end you will see Henry trying to read one. He makes some sounds then puts the word on the tv. If you listen closely, you can hear him say "TV, Yeah!" then clap.



Now this may have been too easy for Nicholas because he can read. But he is definitely a beginner reader. And his speed has picked up tremendously this summer! I think I saw the most improvement when he noticed that Stella was starting to sound out words. Little peer pressure maybe? Whatever works. He is reading so smoothly now! I was only able to stump him on a couple of words. The rest he read silently and went directly to the object. That's why you didn't see much of him in the video. He did great! And little Stella...I really was shocked as she sounded out her words. I discovered about a week ago, that she can read short 3-letter words and a few other simple words. But some of the ones she managed to sound out in this game-- WOW!!! I was astounded! I don't know if it is a boy/girl thing, but I do notice some distinct differences in the way these two have come about reading. Nicholas could sound out small words at Stella's age (4yrs old) but she is attempting much harder words. All her choosing, too. I promise I am not teaching or pushing her. Don't have the time or patience for it. But while the ball is rolling I will try to help her keep it rolling. I was just really shocked that she was able to sound out words on her own.



--Kate