Free Phonics Lessons

If you are working on reading skills with your child, and want a free phonics program, you will want to check out Free Phonics Lessons.  The site features over 60 free phonics lessons at a variety of levels with printables, reading lists and more.

Reading Bear - Free Online Phonics Resource

My five year old is just starting to read, and we were both super excited to find Reading Bear. This brief video gives you a general overview, but you will definitely want to explore Reading Bear yourself.



You can choose from a variety of phonics skills, from vowels to consonants, and you can choose from a variety of learning modules as you can see in the screen shot below:

Using Sandpaper Letters

Supplies:

Sand paper letters (they are often pricey, so if you don't want to purchase them, you can make your own)

Directions:

1. Choose three letters to start with.  I started using the sandpaper letters s, m, t. They’re good letters to start with because they’re used so often in the English language. Bring the letters to a table or a rug on the floor. Have your child sit beside you.

First Period: Introduction (“This is”)

2. Trace the letter “s” using the index and middle fingers of your right hand while making the “s” phonetic sound.

3. Invite your child to trace “s”.

4. Do the same with the letter “m” and then the letter “t”.

Second Period: Association – Recognition (“Show me”)

5. Say, “Show me “s”. Show me “t”, etc. (Note: Always use the phonetic sound, not the letter name when introducing the sandpaper letters.)

6. “Trace “s”. Trace “t”, etc.

Third Period: Recall (“What is this?”)

Only go to the third period when you know your child will be successful.

7. Put a letter in front of your child and say: “Can you trace this and tell me what it is?” You could also say, “What is this?” Continue with the other letters in the same way.

Here’s a video from InfoMontessori.com on how to use the three-period lesson to introduce sandpaper letters.

Initial Sound Picture Cards

Initial sound picture cards (a-z), three per A4 page. Ideal for use in phonics games and activities.  Have your child sort the cards by initial sound.