We've just begun working our way through Phonics Pathways, and it's become apparent that the girls aren't quite sure if they're reading a "b" or a "d." Phonics Pathways recommends using the word "bed" as a reference. The "b" must go toward the right, and the "d" must go toward the left in order to hold up the mattress.
I wrote the word "bed" in big block letters, and then we cut out pictures from magazines that started with either "b" (butterfly, bike, bear, blanket) or "d" (dog, door, doll.) We glued the pictures into the corresponding letter.
We keep these "bed" reminders handy while we read the phonics books, just in case someone should stumble. It really helps!
Have you got any tricks up your sleeve for helping kids figure this one out?
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33 comments:
my only trick is time. wait until they are older and they will eventually get it.
We make "b"s with our hands (index finger and thumb touch to make circle, the rest of the fingers point straight up together). b is on the left and d is on the right.
This also works with table settings. Left hand makes a b, this is the side where the bread plate goes. Right hand makes a d, this is the side where the drink goes.
XOXO
When I taught 1st grade, I used the bed idea quite a bit. One of my parents actually showed me something she found to help her daughter. Scroll down to #9:
http://www.boostforreaders.com/
Mr. Beady eyes was a helpful tool in my classroom. Reversals are very common at this age and are seen as developmentally appropriate until second grade. They sure can cause many children troubles!
I also use the fist thing and ths has helped my kids tremendously. Make a fist and stick your thumb straight up. Make sure your knukles are facing inward. The hand on your left is a b which comes first and the hand on your right is a d which comes last.
I hope I explained that correctly.
I have used Phonics Pathways with both my kiddos so far, and they are both reading above their age/grade level. We really like it, and find it easy to jazz it up a little and do things in our own style. Are you homeschooling or just doing a little preparatory work?
A special education teacher once taught me this trick: Make a b and d with your hands (just like cb9094 did) and then say "bad dog" in the same way you read from left to right. B for bad and d for dog. Works like a charm!
my daughter also has the same problem with b and d and I really like all the ideas I am reading on your blog including all the comments.
me too me too! my little reader does this. i'm going to have to give your project (and some from this comments section) a shot for sure. great tips, people.
In mmy daughter's kindergarten class they had a picture of a baseball bat & ball made out of a letter b. The bat comes first, then the ball. Hope this helps! Happy teaching :)
This is a common developmental error among young children. I see this error quite frequently among my Kindergarten students. Keep up the good work!
great idea.
you are always so creative.
you are amazing! You should show Christy D this! How fun it would be for the K class to do it!
The small "d", we always say is a "d.d.dish" then the knife. and the small b it the "b.b.bat" then the "b.b.ball"
that is sooo helpful! my almost first grader is still having that problem and i really think this will help. thanks for sharing, chrissie!
My dad taught me that the D was for Daddy and the d was for daughter and the Daddy and daughter always kiss Dd. It must have helped because I still remember it 25 years later :D
For writing the letters, I program I use teaches kids to write the letter b stick line down, up and around to make the 'o'. To make the letter 'd' you first make letter 'c', then add the stick to it.
'c' is a magical letter in this program, and starts the letters, o,a,q, g, and d.
cute idea!
do you enjoy using phonics pathways? do you find that the curriculum makes learning easy and fun? most phonics programs i have looked at are very rote learning or paper pencil type things. i have a very active boy who will need to be able to be moving, etc... wondering if this will hold his attention!
Here's one I learned from Sing, Spell, Read, and Write:
For B: When you make the 'b' sound (buh or bi), your lips are closed and in a straight(ish) line - like the straight line at the beginning of the letter 'b'.
For D: When you make the 'd' sound (duh or di), your lips are open and in a cirle(ish) - like the cirlce at the beginning of the letter 'd'.
Hope this makes sense!! Also, a friend who was an elementary sp. ed. teacher said that this is a common problem that should clear up by the beginning of 3rd grade.
The trick about holding up your hands (thumbs up) to make a bed also works with "p" and "q" ... just flip it so the thumbs are pointing down, knuckles still touching. I taught my first-graders that the bed (hands in "bed" position for b-d) has a Purple Quilt (flip hands over for p-q).
The bed posts point up, and the quilt hangs down.
My trick helps with the letter sound too.
a "b" is a BAT (the stick of the b is what you see first) and a BALL (the circle is what you see 2nd)
a "d" is a doughnut (circle first)
Hope that helps. It helped my twins.
When my first graders had trouble with this, we used playdough to form the letters "b" and "d" or short words that began with either letter. After rolling the dough into "snakes" and forming the letters/words, we used our fingers to press down each letter. This gives the kids a really helpful tactile response to what they are learning. You could also use sandpaper letters (and spell words) - then have the kids trace each letter with their finger so they can feel the shape the letters make. Good luck!
Love all of your tips, and activities! I think I just spent an hour exploring all your ideas! Thanks!
I also wanted to share of few of our favorite books around here :) WE have tons. These ones were some of my favorites as a child, that my children now love.
Red is Best
by Kathy Stinson
When I Have a Little Girl
by Charlotte Zolotow
George Shrinks
by William Joyce
Shoes
by Elizabeth Winthrop
'b' has a belly!
We are having a heck of a problem with 6 and 9. Any hints for that?
We used Phonics Pathways as well. Works great, and don't worry...they will get the b and d when they are ready. :0)
I stumbled across your blog looking for chore chart ideas for my 3 year old. I have spent the last hour looking through a lot of cool ideas. Then I saw that you are foster parents and are hoping to adopt your two beautiful girls. We are foster parents as well. We met our daughter when she was 15 months old, adopted her when she was almost 2 years old, and now have a 17 month old little boy. We've had him since he was 8 months old. He is in foster care.
I love reading stories of other parents and their journey through foster care and adoption. Thanks for sharing.
Andee --
Rod and Staff has some great little ryhmes to help with numbers.
For 6: Curving down into a loop - Number six can roll a hoop.
For 9: A loop on top and then a line - This is how to make a nine.
You guys are amazing. Thanks for all your helpful ideas.
We love Phonics Pathways. It requires the child to sit and "read" the page, but it takes only 5-10 minutes a day. It is very systematic.
Once the frame of the doggie door is installed in a wall or door, leave the "flap" off at first. Have someone stay inside with your dog while you go outside. Call your dog through the "hole" (doggie door frame without the flap). When he goes through and comes to you, praise him lavishly and give him a food treat. Now have the person inside the house call him through the "hole." When he gets to them, they should praise lavishly and offer a food treat as well. Do this at least 3 times and no more than a dozen. After this, your dog will know there is a hole in the wall or the door especially for him. Dog Doors give you and your pet the freedom they deserve.
Once the dog inside the house, can he help the kids with their reading skills?
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Thanks Wendy!
Wow, I have been a first grade teacher for 14 years and have not seen this. Awesome and I will totally use this in my class. Fun too!
♥ Jen
My daughter's kindergarten teacher was awesome and had a Dads and Doughnuts special snack day. They know if the doughnut comes first then it's a d, like in Dad. :)
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