Sight Word Activity

I am helping my 5 1/2 year old to learn to read.  He's not too excited, and I've started and stopped several times with him this past year because I don't want reading to become a chore, but I finally decided to just force it on him.  I know that sounds mean, but he has a lazy, easy going personality and doesn't like to do anything that requires effort, so it's necessary.

We've been working on sight words.  Today we played a game with them that he thought was a lot of fun.  It's a version of the game "Don't Eat Pete", using words instead of pictures.

I printed out a chart of 9 sight words he's currently working on.

We put cheerios on each square.  He closed his eyes, and I pointed to the one that was going to be "Pete". (Maren was playing with us too) Then Christopher opened his eyes and began choosing cheerios to eat.  He had to read the word in the square before he could eat the cheerio he picked up.  If he picked up the cheerio designated as "Pete", we all yelled "Don't Eat Pete!" at him and he laughed, and then his turn was over. Maren also took turns, and at least Christopher was hearing the words even if he wasn't reading them himself.

We played this many times, and then for the last round I put chocolate chips on the squares.

goofball

Even though he puts up a fuss about doing reading lessons with me, I know he is enjoying his new skills. A couple of nights ago I found him reading a book in bed an hour after I had tucked him in.  I had to punish him, but was secretly rather pleased.

Summer Reading Chart 2012

It's June 1st and that means summer reading!  The kids are always excited to start their summer reading charts from the library, from Grandma, and from home.

Last year's reading incentive plan worked really well, and I would have done it again this year except that we are trying to sell our house and I can't have stuff all over the walls while people are coming through.  Instead, I came up with an incentive that will be easy to take down for showings, can move easily with us to our new house, and I think is still fun and motivating, and probably more complicated than it needs to be, because I like to do that to myself.

First, I made coupons on the computer for various prizes.  Prizes this year include money, ice cream, new books, prizes from the prize basket, movie days, and play dates.  I made 20 coupons for each child, then cut them up and put them in an envelope labeled with the child's name.  That way I can make sure each child receives all the same things by the end of summer reading.

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Next I pulled out my balloons, counted out 6 for each child, and assigned each child a couple of colors.  Maren's balloons are red and pink, Joshua's are yellow and green, and Christopher's are blue and orange. I then took 6 coupons out from the envelopes for each child, folded them up, stuck one inside each balloon and blew it up.  I used pretty small balloons.

I made 18 X shaped slits in a piece of poster board and stuck the end of the balloon through the holes. I put the poster board up on the wall with tape, as well as a piece of paper for each child to write the names of their books on.

When the kids have finished an approved book, they get to pop one of their balloons and see what prize they won.  I'll then replace the balloon with another one of their color using an extra coupon from their envelope.

Maren was very excited to start reading today.  I told her she needed to be all done with morning chores before she could start a book, so last night she made a schedule for herself so that she'd be able to start as soon as possible.  It went something like:

1. wake up, make bed, be dressed by 6:55 (she didn't quite make this deadline)
2. practice violin until 7:30
3. eat breakfast until 8
4. leisure time until take J to camp (this part was my favorite)
5. practice piano until 9
6. READ!!! (she had more exclamation points, but I'll spare you)

And she and Joshua are both upstairs reading right now.  Another great part about summer reading is that when the kids are reading, it is nice and quiet and there is no fighting for a while.  Hooray for summer reading!

If you liked this idea, be sure to check out my other summer reading posts!

Summer Reading Beach Scene

Summer Reading Game Boards

Summer Reading Book Worms

And follow my summer fun board on Pinterest!

Follow Chicken Babies's board Summer Fun with Kids on Pinterest.