Flip the Sound

The English Language is full of rules... and also exceptions.   I got the idea for "Flipping the Sound" from The Daily Five.  The premise is, essentially, that children need to be given tools to use when the conventional "rules" don't apply.  "Flip the Sound" is a strategy that proficient readers use to monitor comprehension and accuracy as they encounter a text.  Being able to recognize various patterns and sounds (especially where there is code overlap) is critical to reading success.  (You can get more information from http://www.thedailycafe.com).

 The traditional way to flip the sound is to teach students to lay a hand out palm up and cue them to flip the sound.  When we encounter a tricky spelling pattern in class, the students try multiple sounds while flipping their palm back and forth each time they try a sound until they determine the correct pronunciation.  This kinesthetic approach could be augmented by the use of a slinky.  While they certainly don't descend stairways without twisting into a heap of plastic (or metal), these nostalgic beauties can be used for yet another concrete anchor for flipping the sound.  Try it!