Decodinga parent guide What is decoding Decoding is

Decoding-a parent guide

What is decoding? "Decoding is the ability to figure out how to read unknown words by using knowledge of letters, sounds, and word patterns. Decoding skills are essential to being a fluent reader. " (Webster’s Online Dictionary)

Decoding strategies • There are 7 strategies used in our first grade classroom that a child can use when they come to a word they don’t know. These include: – – – – Looking at the pictures Getting your mouth ready Stretching the word out Chunking the word Skipping the word Trying it again Asking for help

Why use beanie babies? • Beanie babies are an authentic approach to teaching the decoding skills necessary for learning to read. • We will use 7 beanie babies for our 7 decoding strategies in our first grade classrooms.

In the classroom • Your child will learn all 7 decoding strategies in the first 6 weeks of the school year. • During our small, differentiated reading groups, we will be practicing our decoding strategies to become more fluent readers. • The students will be using decoding bookmarks plus a display of our strategies will be displayed in the classroom for student reference.

At home • Your child will eventually know these strategies well enough to use them with their books at home • Use your handout as a reference while you are reading with your child • If they come to a word they don’t know: – See if they know a strategy they can use – Tell them a strategy to use

Eagle eye Look at the pictures • Look at the pictures in the story for clues

Lips the fish Get your lips ready • Say the first few sounds of the new word • Read to the end of the sentence and say the sentence again

Stretchy snake Stretch the word out • Stretch the word out slowly • Put the sounds together

Chunky monkey Chunk the word • “Chunks” are parts of a word • Look for a word family that you know (-at, -an) • Look for a word part (-ing, -er)

Skippy frog Skip the word • Read to the end of the sentence • Hop back and READ IT, READ IT!

Tryin’ lion Try it again • Try to reread the sentence • Try a word that makes sense

Helpful kangaroo Ask for help • Ask for help (after you have tried all of the other strategies)

A final note • These 7 strategies will help your child become a smooth and fluent reader. • There also comprehension strategies that use kid-friendly beanie babies. Look for another power point and handout coming soon! • Using the same ideas for decoding and comprehension at home and at school provide a strong collaboration between the two and an easier way of thinking about reading for your child.