4 Pre-Reading Strategies to Help Children Read


Whether learning how to teach your kid to read or a room full of students, it can be an overwhelming task! Honestly, our littlest ones typically begin a year of learning without being able to read. However, in one year, teachers take on the expectation that all students complete the year as readers. Between knowing letters, sounds, trick words, and how to use illustrations to help, students can get overwhelmed! Thus, teachers need to break down the reading process to turn students into confident readers. Thankfully, there are 4 pre-reading strategies to help children read! With these strategies, students will learn foundational skills to start their reading journey. 


4 Pre-Reading Strategies to Help Children Read with a FREEBIE


Learning how to read is like riding a bike, cooking a meal, or playing an instrument. It takes time and involves multiple steps! Thus, these pre-reading strategies will allow students to become readers without becoming too frustrated. Since teachers are so busy, I have a GIANT freebie that provides resources to implement these strategies immediately. This resource is yours just for joining my email list. 








  1. Letter Knowledge


To learn how to read, students first need to focus on learning letters. This strategy focuses on having students look at the uppercase and lowercase letters and say their names. Additionally, it includes matching activities for uppercase and lowercase letters. Many times, preschool reading starts with letter knowledge! With this strategy and its resources, focusing on how to teach letters will be a joy! There are 4 different activities and teaching tips included. Honestly, it will be one of the best moments to watch when students know their letters. 


  1. Phonological Awareness


After students gain an understanding of letters, they are ready for the next foundational element: sound in spoken language! When exploring the 4 pre-reading strategies to help children read, sound is a crucial part. This is due to the fact that phonological awareness will allow students to decode, blend, and read as time progresses. Thus, students will focus on hearing sounds in words, making rhymes, and putting blend sounds together. However, it is vital to remember that phonological awareness has NOTHING to do with seeing the actual letters and connecting them to sounds. This strategy simply is a listening skill. Thus, there are 4 phonemic awareness games included with many ways to practice this skill. Whether working as a group or driving in the car, there are tips to help little ones hear sounds.





  1. Letter Sounds


As students learn letters and spoken sounds, they are ready to dive into reading even deeper. The giant FREEBIE includes multiple activities that allows students to look at a letter and say the sound it makes. Even better, the activities are for uppercase and lowercase letters. Truly, there are so many letter activities in order to ensure students understand each sound that each letter makes. 


  1. Blending Sounds to Read Words


After students spend time practicing sounds, they are reading to begin blending. Ultimately, blending sounds allows students to sound out so many words to become a reader. In order to begin blending, it is so helpful to begin with CVC word reading. Thus, there are activities that have students look at each letter in CVC words and say their sound. Then, students will blend the letters together to read the word. 


Learning how to read is hard. However, it is a skill that students need throughout their entire lives. Thankfully, the 50-page email opt-in pre-reading strategy FREEBIE will allow students to focus on one strategy at a time. Thus, learning to read will be fun and exciting! After using these 4 pre-reading strategies to help children read, teachers and parents will be able to witness incredible moments. Truly, the sounds of children reading will be beautiful moments no one forgets. 


If you do not want to miss any of the upcoming lessons, join my email list to be notified of all the interactive lessons coming up! By joining the email list, you will also receive freebies for blog exclusive subscribers!  



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Kindergarten Crafts

Teachers know that students LOVE to create adorable classroom decorations. Whether they are snowman in the winter, hearts in February, or pumpkins in October, the options are endless. However, the goal of teachers is to inspire students to love learning. Therefore, it is imperative to implement crafts with intended purposes in the classroom. By doing this, kindergarten crafts are educational while being highly engaging and exciting! 



Educational Benefits of Kindergarten Crafts 


Every minute is so valuable in the classroom. Due to this, it is vital to ensure that every lesson and activity has an academic focus. However, students need engaging aspects to stay focused on the material. Thankfully, kindergarten crafts create the perfect solution.





Teachers can plan crafts that focus on practicing a variety of skills, including: 



  1. Following Directions: Often, crafts have a step-by-step process to follow. Thus, students practice the always important skill of following directions. Honestly, this skill is essential in life, so it is crucial to practice. 


  1. Fine Motor Skills: There is a TON of fine motor practice in any type of craft! Students can practice cutting, pasting, pencil grasp, tracing, and staying inside the lines all in one activity. 




  1. Collaborative Conversations: While students are working, it is the perfect time to build and foster a classroom community. Students can work while getting to know their classrooms. Even better, as seats are changed throughout the year, students can get to know every single person in their class! 


  1. Foster Creativity: While there are directions to follow on a craft, there is much flexibility in the design process. This means that students can use the provided materials in the way they want. For instance, it may be using specific colors, glitter, or stickers!





  1. Academic Focus: All of my kindergarten crafts have an additional academic skill attached. For instance, it may be writing about the theme of the craft. Or, it may be about counting a certain number of items. Additionally, it may be about practicing names. Honestly, there are many ways to add in an academic focus while working on fun kindergarten crafts.  


Kindergarten Craft Options 


Since time is limited each day, my crafts include exciting projects with multiple ways to practice different skills. 



  1. Rainbow Counting Math Craft


Counting to 5 is a huge accomplishment! Therefore, this rainbow craft will display your students’ ability to count to 5. However, it also means students are placing numbers correctly and cutting/pasting! This simple craft will make students so proud as they get to showcase their learning. 






  1. Christmas Craft Bundle 


This bundle is filled with FUN ways to practice essential skills! Whether cutting or learning how to clean up, every kindergarten craft is exciting and educational. This bundle includes eight different crafts students will love. For instance, students will practice their name with a Bubble Gum craft. Additionally, they will complete an ice cream craft with a writing reflection and count to 5 focus. Furthermore, each one makes the perfect bulletin board craft! Thus, students can show off their incredible learning and fine motor practice. 



 

Truly, kindergarten crafts cannot just be about creating something cute. There is too much to get through in the course of one year to do this. However, students love crafts and art! Therefore, they need to have intended purposes. Since there are so many crafts to use, it is essential to analyze each one. By doing this, it will ensure that students are working on improving their academic skills while having the best time! 


Grab this amazing craft for FREE today!




If you do not want to miss any of the upcoming lessons, join my email list to be notified of all the interactive lessons coming up! By joining the email list, you will also receive freebies for blog exclusive subscribers! 



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