{"id":312,"date":"2014-12-24T02:23:47","date_gmt":"2014-12-24T09:23:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/?page_id=312"},"modified":"2015-07-07T10:07:34","modified_gmt":"2015-07-07T16:07:34","slug":"make-it-yourself-readers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/make-it-yourself-readers\/","title":{"rendered":"Make-it-Yourself Beginning Readers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"homeschooling-phonics\"Can there be anything more exciting than having those phonics lessons finally “click” with your little one and hearing him read his first words<\/strong>? I doubt it! Listening to my children learn to read is a thrill for me. I enjoy teaching them to read and I delight in hearing them read aloud.<\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a>Right away it seems that children want to “read a book” which, of course, is not quite yet possible. Just because they can blend a few phonics sounds doesn’t mean they are ready to read Huck Finn<\/em>. Children just learning to read want to feel the accomplishment of reading a book, turning the pages and finishing with “The End”.\u00a0I’ve used beginning phonics readers, such as Bob Books<\/a>, Now I’m Reading<\/a> or Decodable Little Books<\/a> to fill that need. Here’s how to make your own!<\/p>\n

In my homeschool, I wanted to customize reading for my children and so I started making my own little beginner readers. It is easy, it saves you money, and it can become a childhood memory especially if your little child illustrates his own books. Our homemade books have been used over and over again and loved by each child that I teach to read. Their older brothers and sisters remember those books with excitement and that makes it all the more motivational for little ones to be able to \"image-1\"<\/a>learn to read them. I use my children’s names in the book to personalize the story. Since every child can read his own name and most of the names of his family members, you have more words to work with than just those that can be easily decoded.<\/p>\n

To make your own little readers<\/strong>, you will need cardstock weight paper to make a little book. I have used paper trimmings from the printer, old file folders cut-up, 4 x 6″ index cards, etc. Use whatever you can find: this is supposed to be a save-you-money project, so be creative. I \u00a0fold the paper in half, and then staple or machine sew 3 pages down the center fold to create a finished book of 6 pages. If I am using index cards, I staple 6 index cards along the left side so they open to a wide horizontal format. The first and last page can be fancier paper or a colored page decorated with stickers as it will be the cover.<\/p>\n

Plan out 7 simple sentences, one for each page. The last inside page will say “The End”. \u00a0To fill my book, I choose words that wil\"image-2\"<\/a>l reinforce a phonic sound that my child is learning. For example, when I taught the phonic unit “ee”, I made a little book called “Weeds and Beets”.<\/em> It was spring gardening time, so the subject was a natural. Since my daughter Emily (4 years old then) already knew the short vowels\u00a0and consonants along with the words “a” and “the”, I focused on having her learn to decode that “ee” sound. Here is the little story page by page:<\/p>\n

Outside front cover-Weeds and Beets
\nInside front cover- blank
\npage 1- Weeds, weeds!
\npage 2- Emily has a beet seed.
\npage 3- A beet seed in the weeds.
\npage 4- Big weeds and a red beet
\npage 5- Emily gets a big weed.
\npage 6- A bee sees a beet.
\npage 7- Emily gets the beet!
\npage 8- The End
\nInside back cover-blank
\noutside back cover-blank<\/p>\n

With young ones, I draw simple illustrations and let them color them. Children that are a little older will be able to draw their own pictures to go with the story<\/strong>. Books that turn out to be a wonderful treasure can be unstapled, laminated, and re-stapled to make a sturdy book that will last many years. I have one of these that has lasted 22 years so far! The colors are still bright and the pages clean.<\/p>\n

As your child masters phonics skills, it can still be fun to put together little books whenever a memorable event occurs in your family.\u00a0When Nathan was 18-years-old, he was driving our little car home when a pickup truck hit him, totaling the car. After going to the emergency room to retrieve our son who was very fortunately not hurt, we visited the towing yard to see the damage to our car. Looking at that squashed-flat car made us amazed that Nathan had not been killed. This experience made a profound impression on my little ones, and Emily (then 7 years) wrote and illustrated a little book entitled\u00a0Nathan’s Big Crash<\/em>. She knew her phonics sounds well enough to be able to write it with very little help.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"makereader1\"<\/p>\n

\"makereader2\"<\/p>\n

\"makereader3\"<\/p>\n

To create little books for a new beginning reader, use the consonants that he has learned along with one short vowel. For example, you could use the short vowel “a”, along with the consonants “c”, “s”, “b”, “m”, “n” to make these words: cat, sat, bat, at, Matt, cab, man, can, <\/em>etc. From these you can make up a short story with just a few words per page. Don’t forget to include your child’s name as a character in the story<\/strong> too!<\/p>\n

It will amaze you how well your child will learn, and will love reading these books too! Have fun!<\/em>
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

May I recommend:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n

\"learning-164331_1280\"
\nRemembering Phonics
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\"Photoxpress_1306365\"<\/a>
\nNow I’m Reading! Phonics Readers
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\"1606\"
\nBeginning Steps to Reading
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Can there be anything more exciting than having those phonics lessons finally “click” with your little one and hearing him read his first words? I doubt it! Listening to my children learn to read is a thrill for me. I enjoy teaching them to read and I delight in hearing them read aloud. Right away […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4398,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[26,9],"tags":[92,186,161],"class_list":["post-312","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reading-articles","category-what-articles","tag-phonics","tag-readers","tag-reading","entry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Photoxpress_5143565.jpg?fit=3456%2C2304&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6IrRN-52","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1206,"url":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/remembering-phonics\/","url_meta":{"origin":312,"position":0},"title":"Remembering Phonics","author":"Diane Hopkins","date":"","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: My 7 year old loves to read, but now that I am teaching my 5 year old to read I can see how the 7 year old struggles with reading. I taught him to read using phonics but I notice him guessing at words a lot and so I\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reading"","block_context":{"text":"Reading","link":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/category\/what-articles\/reading-articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/learning-164331_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C794&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/learning-164331_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C794&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/learning-164331_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C794&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/learning-164331_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C794&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/learning-164331_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C794&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1289,"url":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/homeschool-kindergarten\/","url_meta":{"origin":312,"position":1},"title":"A Day in our Homeschool Kindergarten","author":"Diane Hopkins","date":"","format":false,"excerpt":"Kindergarten has got to be my favorite year of homeschool: sweet little eager minds so anxious to be big and to learn and everything! Come with me through a day of teaching a kindergartner at my house. After morning scripture study, bath and dressing, breakfast, chores\u2014it\u2019s school time. At our\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "How to Homeschool"","block_context":{"text":"How to Homeschool","link":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/category\/how-to-homeschool\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Kindergarteners are Great!","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/3kidsbigball.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1361,"url":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/learn-your-letter-sounds-game\/","url_meta":{"origin":312,"position":2},"title":"Learn Your Letter Sounds: Game","author":"Diane Hopkins","date":"","format":false,"excerpt":"Here is an interesting, easy game to help your young ones begin identifying the phonic sounds. All of my children have started their adventure of learning to read with this little game, beginning as early as they are eager to learn their letter sounds (usually 4 years old). They beg\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reading"","block_context":{"text":"Reading","link":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/category\/what-articles\/reading-articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Louisa and Mark","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/mark24-150x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":661,"url":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/using-muscles-for-memory\/","url_meta":{"origin":312,"position":3},"title":"Using Muscles for Memory","author":"Diane Hopkins","date":"","format":false,"excerpt":"Wiggles! Kids seem to be full of them and they can make sitting still, learning, focusing, and concentrating extra hard! If you can't fight 'em, join 'em. Time to use those big muscles to help kids learn! I have a chin-up bar hanging over a doorway near where we do\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "How to Homeschool"","block_context":{"text":"How to Homeschool","link":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/category\/how-to-homeschool\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/were_gonna_get_you_daddy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1286,"url":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/preschool-curriculum\/","url_meta":{"origin":312,"position":4},"title":"How to Teach Preschool","author":"Diane Hopkins","date":"","format":false,"excerpt":"Teaching preschoolers is great fun! If you've got little ones, your are in for a treat when it comes to teaching them \"school\". They are curious and love to do things with Mom!\u00a0 You can teach your little one all\u00a0yourself, or you can assign an older child to take charge\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Preschool"","block_context":{"text":"Preschool","link":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/category\/what-articles\/preschool\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/images\/louisaridesscooter.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2123,"url":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/letter-confusio\/","url_meta":{"origin":312,"position":5},"title":"Is it a “b” or a “d”?","author":"Diane Hopkins","date":"","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: My kids are having a hard time in reading and writing lower case \"b\" and \"d\" and are always mixing them up. \u00a0How do you help kids keep this straight? Answer: I teach them \"b\". \u00a0Leave \"d\" alone\u2014it will take care of itself once they learn \"b\". Have your\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reading"","block_context":{"text":"Reading","link":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/category\/what-articles\/reading-articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Photoxpress_1306365.jpg?fit=640%2C425&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Photoxpress_1306365.jpg?fit=640%2C425&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Photoxpress_1306365.jpg?fit=640%2C425&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=312"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7310,"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312\/revisions\/7310"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=312"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=312"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyhomeschooling.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}