Letter~Sound+Focus+and+Snap+Words



**The scope & sequence of our phonics program does not follow the traditional sequence of the alphabet; rather the most frequently used and easier of sounds are presented first, with short vowels presented every 3 weeks or so, and then it progresses with more difficult and less frequently used sounds/ letters. Your child will also learn a signal to do with each sound. ****It is important that you present the name of the letter along with the sound and signal. ****Ask your child to show you the signals with the sounds for “Missy Mouse” and “Sammy Snake”, etc. Starting week two of school we will work on 1-2 letters per week (most full weeks) so that we can present all of the letters/sounds prior to Winter Break. **
 * Letter/ Sound Focus **


 * M-Missy Mouse **
 * S-Sammy Snake **
 * F-Francy Fish & H-Honey Horse **
 * T-Timothy Tiger & A-Allie Alligator **
 * C-Catina Cat & P-Peewee Penguin **
 * L-Lizzy Lizard & G-Gordo Gorilla **
 * R-Robbie Rabbit & D-Deedee Deer **
 * E-Ellie Elephant & ****K-Kayo Kangaroo **
 * N-Nigel Nightowl **
 * V-Vincent VampireBat, ****O-Olive Octopus **
 * <span style="color: #002cf9; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16.9px;">J-Jerry Jellyfish, B-Bubba Bear **
 * <span style="color: #002cf9; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16.9px;">W-Willie Weasel & I-Innie Inchworm **
 * <span style="color: #002cf9; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16.9px;">Z-Zeke Zebra & ****<span style="color: #002cf9; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16.9px;">Y-Yancy Yak **
 * <span style="color: #002cf9; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16.9px;">Q-Queeny Quail & ****<span style="color: #002cf9; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16.9px;">X-Xavier Fox **
 * <span style="color: #002cf9; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16.9px;">U-Umber Umbrella Bird **
 * <span style="color: #002cf9; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16.9px;">Review **


 * <span style="color: #002cf9; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16.9px;">Here is the link for a quick reference of the animals linked to each letter/sound and the signal to cue for the sound: **

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** Snap Words ** **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16.9px;">Otherwise known as sight or high frequency words. These are the most frequent words that reappear on almost any given page of text. Your student should know how to read these words in a "snap"...WITHOUT sounding them out. Many of these words are not phonetically in nature and, because they are the most common words used in written language, your child needs to memorize these in order to gain reading fluency. Below is the link for all of the lists of words your child is expected to read by the end of the year. I suggest putting the lists in sheet protectors for durability. Many of the strategies listed above for letters/sounds applies to snap words as well. Later in the year, we will focus on spelling these words correctly as well. **
 * <span style="color: #c90ec9; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 19.5px;">More Suggestions for practicing at home: **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Write these letter/sound combinations on sticky notes and place them in your house on objects that start with these letters. **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Be word detectives and find words that start with these letter/sound combinations in books & the environment **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Practice writing these letter/sound combinations in both upper & lowercase on different kinds of paper **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Play "I Spy" targeting objects that start or end with these letter/sound combinations **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Use magnetic letters (preferably lowercase) on baking sheets and have your child hunt for the letter that starts or ends with the corresponding letter/sound combination **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Cloud writing, chalk, & sand or salt on a baking sheet in conjunction with saying the sound & doing the signal all provide essential kinesthetic opportunities for mastering letter/sound combinations. **
 * A few websites to help with learning snap words (sight or high frequency words): **

http://www.icanteachmychild.com/learning-sight-words/

http://childhood101.com/2013/09/sight-words-activity-ideas/

http://www.sightwords.com/sight-words/lessons/