WELCOME (SY20-21)

Hello!  I am so pleased to be able to begin my 2020-2021 school year at Thorpe.  This is my 4th year teaching reading at Thorpe and I have truly enjoyed getting to know the students and teachers here.  While this year is very different, as I will be teaching remotely,  I look forward to working with many familiar faces.   More information on Title 1 and my background can be found on the tabs at the right-hand side of this page.  Please feel free to email me with any questions at abbiesavukoski@danvers.org.  

Best,

Mrs. S. 

Dice Games

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Here are a couple of fun and simple dice games that you can use at home with your child.  

The first game is for practicing nonsense words.  As silly as they seem, reading nonsense words is a great way to practice blending sounds.  There are no picture cues or meaning behind the words to give clues to readers.  They are purely meant to practice producing the correct sounds for each letter and then blending to read the word as a whole.  

The second game is used to practice story retell skills.  This is a critical comprehension skill for both First and Second grade.  Part of determining a student's reading level, is assessing how well they can share information from the story that they have just read.  

I have sent some of these games home with my students already, but if you would like me to send either or both home, please let me know.

Best,

Mrs. S.

Welcome (2019-2020)

Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year!

I am happy to be returning to Thorpe this year as the Title 1 Reading teacher.  More information on Title 1 and my background can be found on the tabs at the right-hand side of this page.  Please feel free to email me with any questions at abbiesavukoski@danvers.org.

There will be a Title 1 Open House held in the Thorpe cafeteria on October 23rd, at 8:30 a.m. Coffee and treats will be provided. You will be able to meet Maria DiChiara, the Title 1 coordinator for DPS, myself, and other Title 1 teachers in the school.  I hope to see you there!

I look forward to working with your children, getting to know them better, and helping them to succeed with reading!  

Best,
Abbie Savukoski (a.k.a Mrs. S.)

Wh Questions ~ ❓ (First Grade, Second Grade)

There is a song that I like to teach students when it comes to wh question words (who, what, where, when, why).  I use the "Wh Song"  (*taken from a song by Dr. Jean Feldman)", as well as the card below, to help First Graders learn these common sight words.  I also use these cards with First and Second graders to remind them to "ask questions when you read".  Good readers read for meaning, not just to decode words.  When your First Grader brings this card home at the end of the week, ask them if they can sing the "Wh Song" and read these words to you. 

* http://drjean.org/html/lyrics/lyricsTotalRdgVol2.pdf

Zap!

The game of  Zap  is a fun and simple way to practice sight words/ high- frequency words at home. To play, take words from the  sight word list that your child is working on and write them  on popsicle sticks.  Also include a few sticks that say “ zap” and “ take two”.  Put all of the sticks, word side down, into a cup or mug.  Players take turns drawing a stick and reading the word on it.    If you get a stick that says “zap”, you have to put all of your sticks back into the cup.  The winner is determined by who has the most sticks when the cup is empty.

These popsicle sticks are from a dollar  store.  You could also use index cards and turn Zap into a card game.  Zap  can be modified  for kindergartners by putting letters  on the sticks instead of words.

Welcome

Dear Families,

Welcome to Title 1 Reading!  I look forward to getting to know your children and helping them along the path to becoming stronger readers.  Due to the fact that my hours are less than a classroom teacher,  I thought this blog might be a good way to keep you informed of the things that your child and I will be working on during our time together.

Feel free to contact me through my email abbiesavukoski@danvers.org or by calling me at Thorpe through the main office.

Best,
Mrs. S.