LESSON STEPS: MULTI-SENSORY LESSONS - STEP 8: review and reinforcement
The Multi-Sensory Lessons Begin
Step 8: Review and Reinforcement
Reinforcement can take many forms as students review what they have learned.
In the Ready Reading Teacher’s Manual, there are reproducible pages specifically designed for every lesson skill so that each student can make a game activity.
Making the games as a reinforcement activity can be “seat work” for students at their desks or tables while small groups are being pulled for other instruction. As students read the words to play the game, they are reinforcing word-blending skills and developing a sight vocabulary. The games can be taken home where parents can see what students are learning as they get further practice in reading and/or writing the words as they play.
A copy of each skill-specific game (laminated to endure) can be put in a classroom learning center where students can work with partners or small groups to continue reinforcement. This is a great opportunity for parent helpers or classroom aides to participate in the classroom, either by making the classroom game sets or by participating with students as they play the games.
If you don’t have extra class time for students to do these review activities within the school day, but are in a school where cross-curricular teaching occurs, you might enlist the help of other teachers. For example, an art teacher could help students make something as a basis for the reading activity, i.e., students construct a paper-bag puppet character that “eats” the word cards as they are read. A music teacher, could teach the letter song or review it with the students. A Physical Education teacher could use the letter movements as a warm-up activity.
As they become acquainted with the reinforcement game idea, students also like to create their own games to share with the class. One favorite activity of my students was “The Quiet Game:"
- In the opening minutes of the school day, as students arrive, take care of bags, coats, lunch money, etc., they join the activity.
- With their journals open or a sheet of paper at their desks/tables, the first "quiet and ready" student goes to the front of the class and picks up a list or set of word cards to begin.
- The student "leader" pronounces the word from the card. All the other students write the word on their papers and then raise their hands.
- The leader then writes the word (on the board, screen, etc.) for them to check.
- The leader chooses a new leader--generally the first person who responds quietly and correctly. The primary rule of the game is that they must participate quietly in order to be a leader. The game continues until the list is completed or time expires. They never seem to get tired of The Quiet Game and it makes a great introduction into the school day!
More ideas for reinforcement activities will follow! If you have something that works well for you, we'd love for you to share on the blog.