Does anyone know where to find SWR samples on line? I've searched and can't find any

[debbiec]

nt

[Sandy in Indy]

I don't know if this is what you want, but here's the link to the company:
http://www.bhibooks.net/catalog/item/4154895/4030654.htm

[debbiec]

I've seen that. I really want to see one full lesson to see the scructure.

[Surfside Academy]

Have you tried www.swrtraining.com?

[Alana in Canada]

You know, I don't think I've ever seen a sample lesson.

[debbiec]

Well, I emailed them directly. CBD shows a few inside pages of the TOC, but I think that since it's a page jumping kind of book, what would they show?

[Alana in Canada]

I wonder if I can "answer" your question.

We're doing List I1 this week.
On Monday I intoduced three new phonograms. We wrote them in our "logs" on the multiphonogram page.

Then we did phonogram drill with the flashcards.

Today, we reviewed the phonograms I introduced yesterday--(hold up card, "tell me what this is.")

Then I reviewed the specific phonograms as instructed at the top of the Wise list.

I dictated the words.
Say the word, say the sentence, tell the kids to look at me, finger spell it.
When they have both written it, I ask one to "sound it back to me." I write it on the board, and we go through the markings.
Next word.
Today we actually got through all 20 words in 25 minutes. I was most impressed with them.
Then, they were to write sentences, but we ran out of time.

Tomorrow: read the words across. (You tell the kids to write the words 10 down in two coloumns). Write sentences, quiz. I am "allowed" to help them on the quiz. They write these words on 3x5 index cards cut into 1/4's. One colour per child per list. This is also a great help in making up sentences. The kids can just line them up--really helpful for my beginning reader!

Thursday: Either: (1) get out a board game. Put the words from the index cards in the centre. Before they roll, they must spell the word correctly. They do this with each other.
Or: phonogram bingo. I make up Bingo cards at this site (http://teachers.teach-nology.com/web_tools/materials/bingo/)and use the flashcards. They don't get to see them, of course (well, OK, they did in the beginning!) I say the souds, they mark their cards with kidney beans. When I do this, I usually use the last 25 phonograms we've learned--or include ones they have particular trouble with. There are all sorts of ways to group the phonograms!

Friday: read the words across and study them. Test.

I'm fairly "by the book," others are more imaginative and better able to fit the curriculum to their needs! We could do some of the "enrichment" excercises in the Wise Guide on Wednesday and Thursday--we could do the grammar bits, too. But I can cope with what I've worked out for us. This is our second year in the program--maybe by the time I'm doing it in the sixth year I'll have loosened up!

[debbiec]

That is EXACTLY what I wanted to know! Thanks so much Alana ~

[debbiec]

I think I read that in the newer edition that there is a schedule toward the back of the book somewhere. Is it, or the program easily modified to move at a slower rate? Say introduce only 2 new phonograms a day?

I love schedules, and prefer written schedules, but I would need to modify to slow down. Just making sure I'm not making too much work of it.

Thanks, Debbie in Nashville

[Surfside Academy]

I am trying to figure out how to begin SWR with my soon-to-be 5 year-old son. He already knows the 1st 26 phonograms but I'm not sure I want to jump into the spelling lists right away (at least the writing portion). He's just learning to read and I'm not sure he could handle all the writing. I'm sold on SWR but I'm not exactly sure how to implement it with a younger one.

[Peek a Boo]

have you gals found the swr yahoogroup? It has a LOT of great info for adjusting the pace and gentle approaches.

I think even a 5yo can spend time forming letters correctly. I did a lot of "clock work" w/ my 5yo last year --I printed pages and pages of large clocks and we colored them a bazillion different ways w/ LOTS of activities to get him recognizing the numbers and going from number to number. I gradually reduced the size of the clocks and eventually got down to just printing out a buncha gray 'o's for him to trace, then other gray letters. Proper formation for Each. Letter. takes a while to master :-) One or two letters a day is plenty if that's all he can handle practicing. If he has mastered the first 26 phonograms you can absolutely start introducing more. Use those as bingo and written practice and don't worry about him mastering the reading WORDS part yet --he just has to master the sounds and be familiar watching you do the marking part. The brain will click into words when it's ready!

good luck!

[Alana in Canada]

I think the SWR training site has some great ideas for little ones. They can "write" the phonograms in sand, or rice on a cookie sheet--ditto for the words, too. Writing nice and big on the whiteboard or chalkboard "like Mommy" is fun too.

There is a schedule in the back of Spell to Write and Read. I followed it to a T last year. This year I stumbled around until I remembered it!