Homeschool Co-op Class Ideas for Elementary Reading
I remember my first split grade as a newbie teacher in my early twenties. I just about had a panic. HOW was I going to teach two grades?
When I expressed my concerns and lack of confidence about being able to do this well, an experienced teacher brought up an important point, that really made me think. She said, “Melanie, think about the variety of reading abilities and levels in a single grade, from your struggling readers who need lots of focused phonics support during small group time, and your top tier readers who are reading independently. She said, “Kids are kids, not robots.”
Even in a single grade, there is going to be a gap and range of reading abilities. With a split grade, the gap may or may not be all that much wider, depending on the reading abilities of the children in your class. Focus on your whole group instruction, then during reading centers time, pull the kiddos that need intensive review practice in specific phonics skills, regardless of which grade they’re in.
Save your sanity with these homeschool co-op class ideas for elementary reading. If you give 20 kiddos a worksheet, they’re going to be at 20 different places on the worksheet. If they can’t yet read, you’re going to be pulling out your hair answering 20 children with 20 questions about, “What do I do?”
- Whole Group Phonics Instruction – Lead your students through as much whole-group, reading and spelling practice as possible. When you’re teaching multiple ages in a homeschool co-op phonics class, it’s okay to bring the whole group together for the same phonics lesson. It’s needful for some, beneficial for all and harms no one. Then, you move to targeted intensive phonics skills review during small group reading centres for students who need it.
2. Power of a Predictable and Repeatable Phonics Routine – Experienced teachers know the power of routines. Phonics drills and activities taught in the same order every single day. Your homeschool co-op class knows what’s coming next. They’re expecting it, and are mentally prepared to engage. They’re not confused. Children know what to expect. Established routines literally help you as a teacher, because routines truly help the class run by itself.
3. Partner Reading – Kids want to talk. They’re naturally social. So, let them talk, with a learning goal in mind. As a co-op teacher, do you feel that you spend a fair amount of time gathering your students and asking for quiet? Pair a strong reader with a struggling reader.
4. Active, Hands-on Participation – Clapping syllables, chopping apart words, swiping to blend words. Stomping words apart. Using a whiteboard marker and white board, moving magnetic letters to make simple CVC words. These are all effective ways to engage younger learners in phonics activities.
- Sound Superhero Reward – When completing the phonemic awareness part (oral sound blending and chopping) part of the lesson. A little incentive to fully engage! A little snuggle time with a cuddly beanie dinosaur, for example, can go a long way. Of course, checklist to ensure each child eventually gets a turn. Rewarding children for fantastic participation increases their love for this learning activity. It’s not a bribe.
So, which sanity-saving homeschool co-op class ideas for elementary reading hack will you implement this week? Looking for phonics support as a homeschool co-op teacher? Let’s chat!
