But, what do you do if it doesn't happen on its own? When do you intervene and how do you intervene?
For me, I begin explicit instruction in phonology and morphology midway through grade 2. I start with phonics-based early readers in January, and I do a Word Study block based around Structured Word Inquiry in March.
For more on Structured Word Inquiry, I strongly recommend checking out the work of Fiona Hamilton and Rebecca Loveless!
And the VERY BEST early readers I've ever found are at High Noon Books! They are written as a set of short books that leave on a cliffhanger, so you want to read the next one! Each series is a set of 12. The main character -- Zak -- is found throughout.
These early readers fit perfectly in ETC Montessori acrylic holders (this particular size is called Half-page Card Holder with Rack and they are each only $12.00). For me, all 8 sets in these holders fit below my chalkboard.
Here are the skills in set one, the Magic Belt Series.
-
book 1 - The Man in the Mist
CVC, CVCC
book 2 - Ten Rocks
CVCC
book 3 - "Help Us!"
CVCC
book 4 - The Clam
CVCC, suffix -ed
book 5 - Crabs!
CVCC
book 6 - Crunch!
< ch > and < tch >
book 7 - Hush!
< sh >
book 8 - The Sixth Rock
< th >
book 9 - Golem of the Rocks
< ck > and < qu >
book 10 - Dung!
< ng >
book 11 - The Spitting Pot
< wh >, suffix -ing
book 12 - The Simple Plot
< le >
Because these books are early readers designed specifically for older children, they are filled with appealing full color illustrations and major adventures throughout. No "I am a dog. I am a cat. I am a pig. I am a rat."
In the first series, Zac is age 10. Hogmen, river cats, bogs full of quicksand, crabs, rock dragons, goblins, a tramp, and more hazards pose obstacles in their quest to collect gems and save his dying grandfather. These books are really fun and they are compelling to early readers. Highly recommended!
