Usborne Very First Reading Boxed Set of Early Readers: A Review

I absolutely love this early reader set published by Usborne. I am in no way affiliated with Usborne, I just got the set for Michael and like it so much I wanted to share it with you.

This is a boxed set of early readers. There are 15 hardback books and one paperbook parent manual. The books are designed to be read (multiple times per book) in sequence and gradually increase in difficulty. The topics are appealing to young children and the illustrations are engaging. The first seven books are set up so that the parent reads the left hand page of each two-page spread and the child reads the right hand page.

Each book begins with simple instructions for the parent followed by the story. After the story there are three reading exercises. There is also a website that has a free downloadable activity for each book in the set.

So far we've done the first three books in the set with Michael. I enjoy it and he enjoys it. He even loves doing the "puzzles" at the end of each book. We read one book each night at bedtime. I have two out at a time and let him choose which one he wants to read. After he's read the book 4-5 times and it is easy, I return the book to the box and get out the next one in the series.

Here are some sample pages from a couple of the books. Pirate Pat is the first book in the series and uses the parent/child format. Moon Zoom is the eighth book in the series and is an example of what the books look like once they are supposed to be read entirely by the child. I've also included some sample pages from the parent manual.

Homemade Speech Articulation - Word Family Game

Speech Articulation - Word Family Game

Materials

1. Blank copy of game board found at bottom of post.
2. 3-5 dice.
3. Blank stickers.
4. Something to use as game markers for each player. We used squinkies.

Preparation

1. Write initial consonant targets of your choice in blank spots on game board. We used /s/, /f/, and /l/.
2. Leave one die as is. Take the other dice and put blank stickers over each side. Or use tape and construction paper squares. Write in word endings on die. I stole some I had from another game so I was able to skip this step.

How to Play (Method A)

1. Students take turns rolling the number die and moving that many spaces on the game board. This selects their initial consonant.
2. Then students roll the word family dice. Help students combine their initial consonant with each word ending to make a word or pseudoword.
3. They get one point for each real word that is formed.
4. The student with the most points when someone ends the game by reaching the end of the board wins.

How to Play (Method B)

This method works just like the first, except that you skip keeping points and the winner is simply determined by who reaches the end of the game board first.

Variations

You could also skip the word ending component all together and use the game board to work on sounds in isolation. Or just write in target words for children who can read.

Medial /f/ Homework Booklet: Free Speech Therapy Articulation Picture Book

Medial /f/ Homework Booklet

To download click on the image to open it full size. Then right click on the image, choose "save as" and save the page to your computer.

I recommend you print on cardstock for durability.

Description

This articulation homework booklet is designed to be an extension of my single-syllable card sets. The target words are all 2-3 syllable words that include no blends. This booklet is designed to be read by a parent (or therapist, older sibling, classmate, teacher...) and child together. The helper reads the typewritten words pausing for the child to "read" the picture words. Each time the book is read, the helper can put a sticker/stamp/checkmark in one of the boxes on the front of the book. This will encourage multiple practice readings. The child's fluency should increase with each repeated reading. The words on the back page can be used for either auditory bombardment before reading the book together or for drill after finishing reading the book (or both). The target audience for these cards are children with speech delays who are ready to practice medial /f/ sounds in a more natural context. Move to these exercises to add complexity and increase generalization after the child has achieved good accuracy with single words, single word repetitions, and simple alternating single words with the medial /f/ sound.

Key Features

• This booklet features 14 medial /f/ words incorporated into a simple story to be read by a helper and child together.
• The words are 2-3 syllable words that do not include the targeted phoneme in consonant blends.
• The words are easily understood by or easily taught to young children.

Permissions

I give permission to copy, print, or distribute this booklet provided that:

1. Each copy makes clear that I am the document's author.
2. No copies are altered without my express consent.
3. No one makes a profit from these copies.
4. Electronic copies contain a live link back to my original and print copies not for merely personal use contain the URL of my original.

Looking for Feedback

I would love to hear back from anyone who uses this booklet. Let me know if you find errors or there is anything you would change. Comment on this page, or send me an email at testyyettrying(at)gmail(dot)com.

Where can I find more?

More card sets and related printables are on my Free Speech Therapy Articulation Cards page.

Here is a picture of a homework booklet (the /l/ booklet) printed on cardstock and folded into the booklet. It slides nicely in between board books to be pulled out and read during bedtime story time.

Other Speech Practice Booklets Available:

• Initial /s/ Homework Booklet
• Initial /l/ Homework Booklet
• Initial /sh/ Homework Booklet