Reading and modeling language is a great way to improve language skills. What I mean by modeling language is using words to help your students express themselves. Instead of accepting a point or a grunt when a student wants something. Try saying ” oh you want another glass of milk.”
I have provided a few ideas to work with your students on language skills. I like the idea of creating a list of words that the students might have a difficult time pronouncing. It gave me the opportunity to work with the students individually, and as a group. I created the list based on each student’s need or based on the theme we were working on.
An important thing to remember is spelling and language go hand in hand. If a child is not pronouncing words the correct way, they will have a difficult time spelling them.
- Create a list of words that the students in your classroom might be having a hard time pronouncing.
- During circle time review a few of the items on the list each day until you have covered all the words on the list.
- Make it fun, by having the students say the words in a microphone so they can hear themselves say it.
- Give a funny sentence to help the students understand the words.
- Make circle time a discussion forum so that the students are given a chance to talk about things that are important to them.
- Read books to your students, so that they are introduced to new words.
Under no circumstances, should you make this process a test. This process is a way to help the students take the time to pronounce their words correctly and be aware of how they are pronouncing certain words. If some of the students pronounce the words incorrectly, I don’t tell them it’s wrong, we just work on the words a few more times. If they still don’t get it we move on, or I might suggest a referral, depending on the severity of their language development. Some students just guidance, other might need more.- This is also a great way to introduce and review the sounds of letters, which will give your students a great introduction and review to letter sounds.
I used this process in my classroom, as a way to help some of the students with language skills; and to help them with the confidence to speak in front of others, the students seem to enjoy it. - When we got to the word you, which was one of the words we reviewed. I pointed to each child and said “You,” the students began saying “you, you, you, you” and made a game of it; it became one of their favorite words to say.
Language skills can be developed in many ways, this is just a few techniques I tried in my classroom. Please share with me some techniques you used.
