Word Attack: Sliding Seal
General Word Knowledge Strategies
Eagle Eye reminds a reader to look at the pictures or illustrations.
Lips the Fish reminds a reader to use their mouth muscles and get ready to say the word aloud.
Skippy the Frog reminds a reader to skip the word, continue to read the next sentence or two, then go back to re-read.
Tryin’ Lion reminds a reader try again and re-read.
Meaning Bird reminds the reader to ask themselves if what they read makes sense.
Helpful Kangaroo reminds a reader to ask for help if they have tried some of the above strategies.
Specific Work Attack Strategies
Each of the following Word Attack Strategies have a separate blog with step-by-step instructions.
Chunky Monkey reminds a reader to break the word into smaller pieces or chunking.
Flippy the Dolphin reminds a reader to flip the vowel sound from long to short or short to long.
Sliding Seal reminds a reader to cover the word, then slowly slide hand from left to right.
Spot ‘n Dot reminds a reader to Spot ‘n Dot vowels. This assists with finding syllables. See Syllable Division Rules for helpful tips.
Stretchy Snake reminds a reader to stretch out a word.
Word Attack: Sliding Seal
For Novice through Expert Readers
GOAL: To cover up parts of a word and slowly reveal.
Materials:
Index cards; 5x7 will offer a bit more room than 3x5
Word Box OR Ring
if using a Ring, punch a hole in upper corner or center of card
Select words from:
Coxhead Academic Words
Reading Vocabulary
Word Lists
Word Attack Activity for 1-Syllable Words:
Select 3 to 5 one-syllable words
Have the child(ren) cover all the letters of the word, except for the 1st letter, with their thumb.
Have the child(ren) say the letter sound then slowly slide their thumb to the left to unveil the 2nd letter.
Have the child(ren) repeat the 1st letter sound and say the 2nd letter sound.
Repeat the above sequence with each new letter, always going back to the 1st letter sound and repeating each of the individual sounds in proper sequence.
When all letters have been revealed, have the child(ren) say all the sounds, in sequence, at a quicker pace, until the unknown word resembles a known word.
Word Attack Activity for 2-Syllable & 3-Syllable Words:
Children often find that it is easy to read a two-syllable word by using the “Rule of Thumb.” Tell them to cover the second syllable with their thumb, read the first syllable, and then lift their thumb to read the whole word.
Example: dish / pan