Just as nobody can possibly know every word in the English language, so your beginning reader will come across words she may know orally, but has not learned to read. That is why word attack clues can help children identify unknown reading words.
Mature, proficient readers use context clues. If I made up a word and used it in a sentence, you could figure out my intended meaning: The beautiful kydhyoiuel entered her carriage on the way to her castle. Using context clues you were able to figure out that a kydhyoiuel was some sort of queen or princess.
Many times early readers can use clues to crack an unknown reading word because it is already a familiar spoken word. As they associate and connect word reading to their spoken language, they will begin to put the pieces together to solve the puzzle of reading, the key to the world of learning.
Here are six word-attack strategies that will help your child to begin to decode unknown reading words.
- Use picture clues. In beginning children’s books, most words can be found somewhere in the illustration.
- Say all the sounds you know in the word. Even if it’s just the beginning sound, make the sound then read the rest of the sentence. What makes sense?
- Look for words within a word. Maybe you have the word bandaid. You know the word and, add a b at the beginning, say band, then say a, then d. Does the word make sense?
- Think of a word you know that is like the word you are trying to read, or look for familiar chunks within the word. Phonemic awareness comes in very handy here.
- Reread the sentence. What word would make sense in that sentence? Does this word sound right with those letters?
- Keep reading. Even if you miss one or two words, you can probably still figure out the story. Think about what you know and what would make sense in this situation.
A really useful word attack bookmark is available at this website. http://sites.google.com/site/mrsburesh/phonics/word-attack-bookmark
This is the School Marm
Ringing Her Bell
School’s Out!
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