Use the Clues!

    My goal as a kindergarten teacher is for students to learn to use the tools for successful and lifelong learning. This means that kindergarten students are like apprentices in the workshop with the teacher. Some of the tools they must learn to use are:

• The names of the letters of the alphabet, lower ca​se first.
• The sounds of the letters (phonics).
• Blending the letter sounds to make words.
• Using picture for clues when possible.
• What is the context? Does the word make sense? Does it sound right?
• Recognizing that bigger words have more letter sounds.
• Skipping a word to read the rest of the sentence to get a clue.

​    As students learn these tools and how to use them they can begin to build their own reading success. The phrase "Use the Clues" has been the motto in my classroom for more than twenty years. It's a reminder for students to use the strategies (tools) they have learned to help them decode their reading. What is the sound of the first letter of the word, and/or the last letter? How long is the word? Is there a picture that can help me?
    One of my favorite examples that I use to explain this compares the words "mouse" and "rat". The words begin and end with different sounds. Often, if there is a picture or drawing present, a student can't tell the difference between a mouse and a rat. That's when I say "Use the Clues" and walk the student through the questions they need to ask themself about the word.
    Students need to become independent readers right from the start. As they are taught the skills, remind them to use those skills. This promotes the self-confidence and self-reliance that helps make a successful and lifelong learner.