Reading tips for JK

Dear JK parents,

At St. Jude's we use both the bottom-up and the top-down methods to teach reading. Our reading programme is heavily phonics based. In JK, the students first learn the short-vowel sounds, then the sounds of the consonants. As each new consonant is introduced, the students learn the consonant short-vowel blend as well. A blend is when two or more letters are grouped together, but each phoneme retains its original sound.

In the reader going home tonight, you'll see a consonant on one page and then a blend on the next page. For example Mm, then mi. Students are to say the sound of the consonant. They may give the phrase if they wish. In this case, it would be "m says mmmmm for milk". And on the next page, you will see the consonant short-vowel blend. It is "mi for mitten". All blends or words being introduced at this time have a short-vowel sound.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Mrs. Wheeler

Uniform

Please remember that students are now required to wear the full uniform. The full uniform consists of grey dress pants or tunic, white mock neck with SJA embroidered on the neck, crested navy sweater or vest and navy socks.

Scholastic Orders

Don't forget those Scholastic orders! Last chance to order books is this Friday. This is a great opportunity to encourage a love of reading at home.

Reading Groups

Since the beginning of the year, we have been reading together as a class. Today, we started reading groups. This time provides students with the opportunity to read individually in small groups. We will still continue to read together as a class.


In your child's agenda, please look for a letter, a reading chart, a reader and the assigned pages. Reading homework will be every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Since the page numbers will vary depending on which group a student is a part of, the pages to be read will be written in the agenda and not on the blog.


For parents with children in JK, please have your child repeat the following phrases when reading their books:

Ii says ĭ for igloo.
Oo says ŏ for ostrich.
Aa says ă for apple.
Uu says ŭ for umbrella.
Ee says ĕ for elephant.


Happy Reading!

Mrs. Wheeler

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy your weekend! We'll see you on Tuesday!

Gingerbread Fun!

We have been inquiring into "who we are". We have learned about our five senses, our likes and dislikes and our roles in our families. To celebrate the end of our unit of inquiry, we made gingerbread men. Oh, what fun!

Newspaper

Look for your copy of The Knights United Times in your Friday Envelope. Two copies were included - one for you and one to share. Enjoy!