Background Notes:

Activity One:

• asking your student to predict what the article is about will provide you with the background knowledge that she brings to that particular topic
• note any pronunciation difficulties, have your student find other words in the article/story that begin with the same sound
• minimal pairs may also be used to help differentiate between the sounds if your student substitutes the sound "t" for "th" use words such as: tree and three)
• have your student write any difficult words on index cards and write them in sentences for her word bank

Activity Two:

• the story may be done during the session or for homework

Activity Three:

• provide the student with any words that she found difficult to write
• have her copy these words to her word bank
• having her read her story aloud will provide her with the opportunity to edit her work (word order, missing words)

Activity Four:

• parents do not always recognize that they are the first teacher in their children's life
• you may wish to share what you see as your role as a parent (e.g.: a mother needs to be part chef, nurse, referee and maid)