Welcome to this week’s wrap where I share some of the successes and challenges of being a specialist dyslexia teacher.

The joy of play dough (and a freebie)

Boy oh boy we have been having so much fun using play dough during tutoring sessions. And not just with the little kids, but even the bigger kids have been enjoying building words with play dough.

I find this is a great way to review the sound that we have learned in previous weeks. For example, I’ll ask the student to write down the 4 different ways we have learned to spell the /ae/ sound. The student would write: <ai, ay, ea, a-e>. Then I’ll ask the student to use the play dough to build words that include each of the spellings. If they are unable to think of their own word, then I give them a word. After each word has been built, we say the sounds and read the word. I always finish off with getting the students to also write the word on mini whiteboards. Below are some pictures of the fun we’ve been having with play dough.

With my younger students I’ve been using play dough mats to help them build words. The student moulds the play dough over the word and then uses the play dough to complete the picture. Again, we finish with writing the word on the mini whiteboards. Below are a few pictures of the play dough mats.

Free play dough mats

I’ve also been working on a new teaching product that includes CVC play dough mats. The pack will include over 100 CVC play dough mats. Just print and slip them in a plastic sleeve and they’re ready to go. I thought you might like to have a few free ones too, just click on the picture below to download your copy now.

For More TnT Weekly Wrap’s, see these:

• TnT Weekly Wrap: New Planning Structure;
• TnT Weekly Wrap: Free Digraph Worksheet; and
• TnT Weekly Wrap: Teaching Through Errors.

Graphic Credits: Graphics From the Pond and Dollar Graphics Depot