Who is using RLTL to teach READING

[mamamindy]

I know several are using it for spelling…but who is using this program to teach reading?  I started it with my children together, since I like it as a spelling component for my big girls.  However, DS is just not quite ready to write the phonograms (understandably - he is 4.5yo!) and I am considering modifying it a bit, using letters/tiles as the author has suggested.

 

OR, I might just start in OPG with him (like I did with my DDs to get them reading fluently) and then use it for spelling.  (I haven't liked the traditional spelling programs thus far.)  Then he would learn to read separately from writing.  Which does makes sense for young children... 

 

I'm just looking for some support from someone using this program for a brand new reader.  Thanks!

[mamamindy]

anyone?

[mama25angels]

I'm using it to teach reading. My Ds uses the white board on my iPad to practice writing his phonograms, we also use an app to practice sounding them.

[FromA2Z]

I use LOE foundations but the principle is the same...reading through spelling and writing. I do believe the act of writing helps to reinforce what is learned. My ds was 4.75 when we started and I knew he did not have the dexterity for writing on paper. We rotated various methods for writing:

 

Write in a salt with finger. (Pre make a salt tray so you just have to pull it out)

Write with finger on a paint bag. (Again I had pre-made these in different colors).

Write with finger in shaving cream, whipped cream, pudding, etc.

Write in BIG letters on white/chalk board

Air Writing. Write using whole arm in the air. You can also use your foot/leg in the air or on the ground. (Do it with them...it's funny)

Sidewalk chalk

Letter tiles. Letter tiles are Ok for spelling once in a while after phonograms are learned but I really believe the physical act of forming the letters helps cement the learning. If course all children have different strengths and weaknesses and some need it more than others.

 

My ds is almost 6 now and reads and spells well. He can form all his letters but we are just now fine-tuning and working on neatness in his handwriting on paper, b/c he now has the dexterity.

 

HTH

[lots of little ducklings]

We use Spalding, but the principle is the same; and yes, after an agonizing semester with DS6 (who dislikes writing and seatwork and lacks fine motor skills), I decided to drop the spelling/writing emphasis and focus on just decoding (ie, reading). Combining the reading with writing (which I love in theory and use with college students learning Hebrew) just didn't work for DS. It only delayed his reading, in fact. So instead, for a few months we worked intensely on phonograms (while jumping on the bed), and he has been reading aloud through the Spalding "Reading and Loving It" readers (which introduce the phonograms slowly, in order, as you progress through series 1). Before each reading session, I choose difficult words from the text and have DS break them into syllables on the board and mark the phonograms (per WRTR instructions). Then they aren't new to him as he reads and he's learning to analyze words and "see" the syllables/phonograms on his own.

 

We are in series 2 of the readers now and it's amazing how his reading has taken off. I plan to reintroduce the spelling component of Spalding in a year or two, but for now I just started Apples and Pears A. I wanted a morphemic approach to balance the phonogram skills he's been learning, and a way to gently improve his handwriting. A+P fits the bill, and so far DS enjoys it. The workbook pages are appealing to him and less daunting than an empty sheet of paper used to be when we were following the approach in WRTR.

 

HTH!

[IHaveNoIdeawhatIAmDoing]

We're using it for reading. I mean, I guess it's teaching my daughter how to spell too, but I'm not really concerned with that at this point. 

[mamamindy]

I use LOE foundations but the principle is the same...reading through spelling and writing. I do believe the act of writing helps to reinforce what is learned. My ds was 4.75 when we started and I knew he did not have the dexterity for writing on paper. We rotated various methods for writing:

 

Write in a salt with finger. (Pre make a salt tray so you just have to pull it out)

Write with finger on a paint bag. (Again I had pre-made these in different colors).

Write with finger in shaving cream, whipped cream, pudding, etc.

Write in BIG letters on white/chalk board

Air Writing. Write using whole arm in the air. You can also use your foot/leg in the air or on the ground. (Do it with them...it's funny)

Sidewalk chalk

Letter tiles. Letter tiles are Ok for spelling once in a while after phonograms are learned but I really believe the physical act of forming the letters helps cement the learning. If course all children have different strengths and weaknesses and some need it more than others.

 

My ds is almost 6 now and reads and spells well. He can form all his letters but we are just now fine-tuning and working on neatness in his handwriting on paper, b/c he now has the dexterity.

 

HTH

Would you mind detailing me on a salt/sand tray pre-made?  I just have these jelly roll/cookie sheet type pans I've put flour in (flour didn't work so well) but I also need them for other purposes…  So I would love to know what you're using, and if they're pre-made, how you store them.  Thank you for your suggestions!!

 

ETA: I'd also like to hear about the paint bags…  Is this just paint in a ziplock?  Why haven't I done this before?

[silver]

I've used one of those disposable ziplock containers for a salt/sand tray (The tupperware style ones). I used a sandwich sized container, so only one letter fits at a time (rather than a whole word). I colored the salt with a few drops of food coloring to give it better contrast. When we're done, I put the lid on it and stick it on a high shelf away from curious toddler hands.

[mamamindy]

I've used one of those disposable ziplock containers for a salt/sand tray (The tupperware style ones). I used a sandwich sized container, so only one letter fits at a time (rather than a whole word). I colored the salt with a few drops of food coloring to give it better contrast. When we're done, I put the lid on it and stick it on a high shelf away from curious toddler hands.

Thank you.  I need to get one of those.  Today I colored some salt blue and poured it on my cookie sheet.  He loved it!  And he did really well forming the phonograms. :)  He's just doing so well with this program I am not going to consider the phonics again unless we really run into issues with the spelling words.  (I don't anticipate that or anything, I am just new to O-G and I guess I don't fully trust the method yet…having not seen the fruits firsthand.)

[paulasue]

I am using it to teach DS5 reading.  I started out having him just write the letter once for me, either on white board or paper.  Slowly, he is increasing how many times he wants to write the letters.  He loves doing the exercises with the pictures.  We are still just learning the first 15 lessons and haven't gotten to the spelling.  When we get to the spelling part, since he loves writing on the white board, I'll probably write it in his spelling book, after he writes the word on the white board.

[mamamindy]

I am using it to teach DS5 reading.  I started out having him just write the letter once for me, either on white board or paper.  Slowly, he is increasing how many times he wants to write the letters.  He loves doing the exercises with the pictures.  We are still just learning the first 15 lessons and haven't gotten to the spelling.  When we get to the spelling part, since he loves writing on the white board, I'll probably write it in his spelling book, after he writes the word on the white board.

Sounds like you are using the phonogram workbook?  Maybe I should look at that.  My son loves "school books". ;)

[busymama7]

I'm using it to teach reading. My Ds uses the white board on my iPad to practice writing his phonograms, we also use an app to practice sounding them.

Can you tell me the name of the app? Thanks

[paulasue]

Sounds like you are using the phonogram workbook?  Maybe I should look at that.  My son loves "school books". ;)

 Yes, you are right.  I forgot that they are 2 separate books, since it all flows together. 

[5wolfcubs]

I started it with my dd5 -- she did pretty well with memorizing the phonograms until we got to OU (I think) -- she really couldn't read the spelling words though (although she began memorizing them).  I put it away, along with ALL the school books, until after we move.  I do plan to use it again though!  It was like Spell to Write and Read by Wanda Sanseri, which I used to teach spelling to my 3 older ones...but without the need for teacher training!