How To Start Your Year Decoding GIGANTIC Words

Your readers will LOVE decoding gigantic multisyllabic words.  Here are 2 strategies to help your readers go big in their reading this year. 

The Amazing Power of Floor Maps

Giant Floor Map Puzzles are one of my favorite teaching tools in upper elementary! 

For many years my biggest struggle teaching social studies was all the things my students didn't know about the WHERE.  

First Day of School QUICK TIP

Knowing your students' names on the first day is gold! 

Decoding Independence QUICK TIP

Looking for a quick tip to help your readers become independent decoders?
Teach them to use a personal white board as they read!

WORD WORK End-of-Year CELEBRATION

Looking for a way to wrap up your WORD WORK year?
End of the year is a great time for CELEBRATIONS!

Test Prep Twist for Struggling Readers

It's a question we all wrestle with. How to help our struggling decoders read high-stakes tests that are written above their reading level?  

While it isn't possible to solve the problem instantly, I like to harness my existing decoding skills intervention to do double duty as supplemental test prep.

GROWING TULIPS AND OTHER READERS

For most of the year, third-grader Haylee had flitted around the reading room, skittish, looking up from her book every few seconds. She read as if a wildfire threatened the east wall of the classroom, looking up every few seconds as if checking to see if danger had broken through. She read as if she needed to know if now was the time to run.

Just-Right Reading A New Perspective

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON JUST-RIGHT READING

"I can't help it," she cried, flinging out her arms. "These books are so interesting! I just love them."

Just-Right Reading Just-Right Challenge

For some readers, the standard formula doesn't work. These readers need something different when deciding on just-right books.

COLLECTING MULTISYLLABIC WORDS

The Word Collector, by Peter H. Reynolds, is a joyous introduction to the charms of discovering, savoring and sharing new words.

Advanced Phonics - Beyond Simple Sound-Symbol Correspondence

Beyond Simple Sound-Symbol Correspondence

Some struggling intermediate-grade readers have difficulty believing us when we try to teach them advanced phonics rules.

MAKING SENSE OF COMPLEX SENTENCE STRUCTURES and UNUSUAL USES OF EVERYDAY VOCABULARY

“Sailing Through Sentences”

A crucial area of reading skill - one that trips up many intermediate readers - is the complex sentence structures that they begin to encounter in fourth, fifth and sixth-grade level books.  

COMPREHENSION STRUGGLES: USING PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

"Whirligigs in the Back Yard"

Some students struggle to utilize their own prior knowledge.

SETTING GOALS: KEEPING EYES ON THE PRIZE

When teaching struggling upper grade readers, having grade-level goals in mind at all times helps keep progress on track. 

THE SECRET IN THE STRUGGLING READER

I always wanted to be Trixie Belden or Nancy Drew.  When I was a kid, my best friend Cheri and I spent hours reading detective stories.  Our favorites were Trixie Belden by Julie Campbell and Katheryn Kenny and Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene. We scoured our suburban backyards and the nearby woods for mysteries.  

JOINING THE CLUB: THE POWER OF READING

When I was a little girl, my parents and grandparents spelled things over our heads. 

DOES EVERYONE NEED TO READ?

“…I believe that books can save lives.  It’s as simple as that.”

-Michael Cart, “Books Make Life Easier” 

A teacher friend once asked me if I believe everyone needs to read. 

READING STRATEGY - DECODING MULTISYLLABIC WORDS

I want to introduce you to I Can Read Gigantic Words! - an advanced decoding strategy that really works!

HELP FOR STRUGGLING READERS

Welcome to Reading by Heart! 

Together, we'll explore how to teach your struggling readers to decode gigantic words, locate evidence in nonfiction, strengthen their reading stamina, and love reading! 

I’m Laura Hurley, a reading specialist with decades of experience helping older readers from second graders to adult learners.

There is good news. We can turn struggling readers into successful readers!