WHAT'S THIS WORD?

Do you teach your students how to decode words, but when they come to a word they don't know they ask, "What's this word?" You might want to focus on the "Tools of Good Readers."

Brainstorm
What do good readers do when they come to a word they don't know? Write children's responses on a chart and post in the room.

Model
Demonstrate the tools by looking at the picture, sounding out the letters, reading it again, and looking for chunks.

How Did You Know That?
Encourage students to "think out loud" by asking, "How did you know that?" If you can get brighter students to talk about how they figured out a word it will help others scaffold to that level.

The Tools of Good Readers
Here's a poster Susan Smart sent me several years ago. Turn it into a toolbox the students can keep in their desk. Remind them to "get out your toolbox" and use your tools when you come to a word you don't know.
     
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljV2M3Mjl6WGNsTkE/view?usp=sharing

This Is How You Learn to Read (Move It! Learn It! CD)
(Tune: "Old Macdonald Had a Farm)
Oh, this is how you learn to read – a e i o u
Use your eyes and what do you see? a e i o u (Circles around eyes.)
A picture here, a picture there.
Look at pictures everywhere. This is how you learn to read - a e i o u 

Oh, this is how you learn to read – a e i o u
Use your ears for sounds you hear – a e i o u (Cup hands behind ears.)

Consonants here.
Vowels there.
Put sounds together everywhere.
This is how you learn to read – a e i o u

Oh, this is how you learn to read – a e i o u
If you forget words in you head – a e i o u (Point to head.)
Just skip one here. (Snap finger.)
Or skip one there.
Then read it again and it will be clear.
This is how you learn to read – a e i o u

Oh, this is how you learn to read – a e i o u
Look for a little chunk you know – a e i o u (Index finger and thumb.)
If there is a chunk at the end
Put the sound in front
And then blend.
This is how you learn to read – a e i o u

Now you know the tools you need – a e i o u
Just use your eyes and ears to read – a e i o u (Point to eyes and ears.)
Pictures, sounds, and letters
Use these tools
You’ll read much better! (Tap head with index finger.)
Now you have the tools to read – a e i o u