Reading and Following Instructions (Gr. 1)

First grade is often the year when reading opens doors to new worlds for young students. First grade teachers have the privilege of helping children along this journey. Abigail offers practical advice about key teaching strategies for beginning readers:

1. Auditory skills and blending: Teachers should help students recognize and blend sounds.
2. Left-to-right reading: Teachers must consistently model and drill reading from left to right.
3. Review and practice: Teachers need to allow many opportunities for regular review through flashcards, word lists, and drills.
4. Spelling: Teachers can reinforce reading by teaching sound-letter connections in spelling class.
5. Oral reading: Teachers should model proper pronunciation, speed, tone, volume, and expression while encouraging students to do the same.
6. Following directions: Teachers can teach students the valuable life skill of following verbal and written instructions.
7. Fostering a love of reading: Teachers will encourage a life-long love of reading by offering creative activities and abundant reading opportunities.

“Reading and Following Directions” was presented by Abigail Miller at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2024 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.