Summer Packets

It really is hard to believe that summer is almost here and that kindergarten is coming to an end. First grade will be here before you know it, and it is important to keep those literacy and math skills fresh over the summer. I have put together a packet for your child to work on this summer. Look for it in those backpacks this week. Please help your child complete the packet over the summer. Then sign the front cover and return just the front cover to me in the fall. Happy summer everyone -- I look forward to seeing you in the September!

Word Chain

You can play this game anywhere -- all you need is your voice. You and your child can create a chain of words that are linked together by their beginning and ending sounds. Start with one syllable words and move on to longer words when you feel ready. It's just like the name game...

1. Say a word and ask your child to repeat it slowly and identify the ending sound. For example, cat ends with /t/.
2. Ask your child to think of a word that begins with the ending sound of the first word. For example, top starts with /t/. Now say this word and identify the ending sound, top ends with /p/.
3. Continue adding words to your word chain, having your child say each word aloud and identify beginning and ending sounds.

If you happen to be at home, extend the game by writing the words down as you go. An easy way to link the words by their beginning and ending sounds is to write the first word horizontally, the second word vertically, the third word horizontally and so on. Think of a crossword puzzle!

Article on Reading Aloud

I just read this great article on PBS by Pam Allyn, Raise a Lifelong Reader by Reading Aloud. Check it out -- I think you'll like it!