PHONICS - learning the letters' sound...

Recently I am doing study on Phonics. I am learning the letter sounds and it is not easy for me, maybe I am too old eh...

Phonics is about learning the sound of the 26 letters and blending the sounds. There are 40+ sounds in English. It is crucial to know all 40+ sounds well, plus good blending techniques, in order to achieve fluency in reading and writing skill.

The logic behind this sentiment? Simple!! - just remember 'sounds make words, words make sentences, sentences make stories, stories make book'

So, if you want to cultivate independent reading in your kids at young age, it is very useful to teach them the letter sounds.

I am no good at Phonics at all, so I am starting from very basic, and....

I make a promise - I want to learn Phonics, do it well enough so that I can teach Gabriel.

I just realized there is a lot to learn, and more to do to teach my son. First thing now, learn the sounds in the respective groups :

(1) s, a, t, i, p, n
(2) ck, e, h, r, m, d
(3) g, o, u, l, f, b
(4) ai, j, oa, ie, ee, or
(5) z, w, ng, v, short oo, long oo
(6) y, x, ch, sh, voiced th, unvoiced th
(7) qu, ou, oi, ue, er, ar

When I first started this learning, I felt very discouraged and scared. But thanks GOD that I was given good supports and resources. Plus lots of free online lessons!! I get back my motivation, hope to finish the whole course, and looking forward to do it with Gabriel!!


...Gabriel - mummy is learning for myself, and more for you. I hope one day you will master the skill of Phonics, and enjoys early independent reading. Love you!

First day, Last day...

8 July 2008

My hubby's 1st day of 35th....

Happy Birthday to my dear hubby...

Cake from Bonbon Patisseri in Kingston....

A small celebration at home.....

Small but fun, warm & loving....

Birthday kisses.......

...Gabriel is more keen on the strawberry than the cake, good for him!

Last day of Mini Stages in Ham....

Gabriel joined Mini Stages in Ham more than a year ago. We loved the class and enjoyed very much. We are sad it was last lesson on 8 July - Sam is returning school to finish her stage management course, thus terminate the class. I witness Gabriel's growing with Mini Stages, from a timid young toddler to a happy brave little boy in the class. Oh, and the biscuit served at end of the class - that was Gabriel favourite!! We made good friends in the class, and we said we will try to keep in touch!! Now that we are not going Mini Stages, I must do more music and dance at home with Gabriel. Or, another class?!

Miss the class, some sweet memories....

It's time to go home now

It's time to be gone

We've sung lots of song

And we've had lots of fun

It's been nice to meet you

It's been such a treat

We'll all come agian

And we'll see you next week

Goodbye goodbye......

I feel sad when we sang our goodbye song - I know we won't be meeting next Tuesday.

I promise to keep in touch with the people in class.