Introduction
In this article, we will explore the word lists that accompany the HMH 1st Grade Blend It Book sequence. With 200 books in total, each word list is directly aligned with a specific book. These word lists are designed to enhance small group instruction, particularly when used alongside the 1st Grade set of HMH Decodable Blend-It Books found in the intervention section of the online materials. Let’s dive in and discover how these word lists can be effectively utilized.
Activities to Enhance Learning
Sound Boxes: Magnetic Letters and Writing
For this activity, you will need a cookie tray with letters, a sound box template in a page protector, and markers. Here’s how it works:
- Ask students to find the letters they need from the board and put the rest away.
- Pronounce the word and have the students repeat it twice. Then, ask them to segment the sounds.
- Students build the word on their sound boxes.
- Move on to the next word in the word chain and have students identify and remove the letter(s) they no longer need. Confirm their response before allowing them to replace the letter with a new one.
- Repeat this process for the remaining words.
Analogy Charts
To engage in this activity, you will require an analogy chart in a page protector, a dry erase marker, and an eraser. Follow these steps:
- Instruct students to write the sounds or spelling patterns they will be listening for at the top of the analogy chart.
- Select a word and say it aloud, asking students to repeat it twice. Segment the sounds and have them point to the column where the word belongs.
- Confirm that everyone is pointing to the correct spot before allowing them to write the word.
- Repeat this process for all the words, presenting them in a mixed order to encourage students to actively listen for the sounds.
Trick Words/ Sight Words
This activity focuses on teaching and familiarizing students with trick words. Follow these steps:
- Say the trick word and have students repeat it.
- Help them tap out the sounds.
- Map the word and explain which parts are considered tricky.
- Read the word with the tricky parts highlighted in red, followed by a regular reading.
- If desired, students can also use a red crayon to highlight the tricky parts in their books.
Reading the Book
Here’s how you can make the most of the Blend-It book reading experience:
- Begin by reading a quick book introduction.
- Provide each student with their own copy of the book.
- Optionally, students can highlight new concepts in yellow and tricky parts of trick words in red.
- Instruct students to whisper read the book three times.
- Read the book chorally once, allowing students to take the lead on the first sound.
- Read the story to the students, modeling fluent reading and encouraging a focus on meaning.
- Let students take their copies of the book home to keep.
Dictated Sentences
For this activity, you will need writing paper or writing paper in a page protector and writing utensils. Follow these steps:
- Select sentences from the Blend-It books that students have already read.
- Hold the books and read the sentences twice, asking students to repeat after you.
- Clap out the individual words and ask students to identify the first word to write.
- Pronounce the word, have students repeat it, and segment the sounds.
- Students can begin writing while you monitor their progress, offering prompts for capital letters and repeating the sentence for students who need help remembering.
Small Group Routine
To ensure effective small group instruction, it’s important to establish a consistent routine. Here is a suggested structure for your small group sessions:
- Begin with a phonological awareness warm-up.
- Review previously taught sounds and spelling patterns.
- Introduce a new letter, including picture naming, sound ID, mouth positioning, and the embedded mnemonic letter or spelling pattern. Also, practice letter formation.
- Incorporate rapid automatic naming practice.
- Engage in blending slides.
- Word Work using this list! For odd-numbered books, use sound boxes with magnetic letters. For even-numbered books, utilize the analogy chart. Additionally, include the dictated sentence for each book.
- Introduce and review heart words.
- Preview vocabulary relevant to the upcoming lesson.
- Focus on syntax, conventions, and introduce the new book.
- Read the Blend-It book together.
- Conclude each session with a dictated sentence.
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