Recently, we have been working on using strategies to help us decode unknown and unfamiliar words. The assessment you received with report cards entitled "Unfamiliar Words" is the assessment of these strategies which occurs once every quarter. Students must be able to decode (or break down word sounds) unfamiliar words while reading. They also must decode the meaning, but we call this CONTEXT CLUES and come at that with different strategies and is another unit completely!
DECODING word sound involves lots of different things:
DECODING word sound involves lots of different things:
- Understanding letter sounds (phonics, letter a, b, c,)
- Flipping sounds between their short and long vowel sounds
- Understanding letter sound combinations (-tion, ch, -er, ious, ism)
- Blending different sounds together
- Recognizing grade level sight words that do not match rules - you know, like Colonel and Kernel (gotta love the English language!)
Today, we looked at the strategy called CRUNCH and MUNCH. In this strategy, we CRUNCH the word into syllables (paying close attention to Greek and Latin suffixes and prefixes) and then combine them into the word.
The kids did a really good job of breaking down difficult words using this strategy both in small group and during independent reading.
Pictures below show our process of CRUNCHING out the word sounds.
The kids did a really good job of breaking down difficult words using this strategy both in small group and during independent reading.
Pictures below show our process of CRUNCHING out the word sounds.
Below, I have attached some great, at home, practices for your child to do to help them practice their decoding strategies of unfamiliar words and fifth grade sight words:
To practice some of the most common sight words for fifth graders - along with many words they will encounter on the standardize test, here is a little rap song that you can play that explains them in a fun and modern way :) Also, there is a worksheet that you can print and use to help them identify these words in the song.
To practice some of the most common sight words for fifth graders - along with many words they will encounter on the standardize test, here is a little rap song that you can play that explains them in a fun and modern way :) Also, there is a worksheet that you can print and use to help them identify these words in the song.
Another great way to practice sounding out unfamiliar words and practicing 5th grade sight words is to go on Quizlet. Here, parents can view fifth grade sight words, get definitions, students can play games, take tests, etc. If your child is struggling with fifth grade decoding words, there is also 3rd and 4th grade available for practice, and if your child is up for a challenge, they have middle school and even high school lists available as well.
Another GREAT site to help your child practice vocabulary - this one focuses more on decoding the meaning of a word, but is great practice for sounding out as well, is called FREE RICE. Here kids are given a multiple choice test (choose the easiest level for them) that quizzes them on the meaning of words. It is neat because many of the words will use Greek and Latin roots, suffixes, and prefixes that your child has been learning in class!
It is also a lot of fun for adults - great brain teaser :) The best part is that for every word you get correct, grains of rice are sent over seas to hungry people all over the world! A great practice for your mind as well as a charitable cause for others. WIN. WIN!
It is also a lot of fun for adults - great brain teaser :) The best part is that for every word you get correct, grains of rice are sent over seas to hungry people all over the world! A great practice for your mind as well as a charitable cause for others. WIN. WIN!
Vocabulary games - a few with decoding, sight words, and root words are found below:
As always, Study Island is a GREAT resource to help them practice these strategies either as a test or as a game. To practice decoding good lessons in Study Island include:
Context Clues
Multiple Meaning Words
Roots and Affixes
Context Clues
Multiple Meaning Words
Roots and Affixes