Q: What is the difference between pattern words, trick words, and unit words?
A: Pattern words are words that contain the skill(s) being explicitly taught and worked on in school. Trick words are sight words that cannot be tapped out because they do not follow the phonetic patterns and rules taught and they. They are also words that are frequently used in the written language. The children should be able to recognize and read the words quickly. Unit words are a combination of the trick words and pattern words for the current unit in Fundations.
Q: Why doesn’t my child get a list of words each week?
A: Application and transfer. The idea is for the children to develop an understanding of the sounds in the English language and how they apply to reading, writing, and speaking and not just in a set list of words. The more exposure, experience, and practice the children have applying their learning, the more I am looking to see them applying these strategies to their authentic writing and reading.
Q: My child is having a hard time coming up with a list of ideas. What should I do?
A: My personal favorite is adopting the “If I know _____, then I know _____” strategy. (Ex. If I know bat, I also know hat, mat, sat, pat, etc.) Vowels are another way to generate words and focus lists each day. (Ex. Monday-short a words; Tuesday-short e, Wednesday short i, etc.)
Please leave additional questions in the comments section and I will add and answer them as they are received. Thank you!