Our Reading Strategies: Flippy Dolphin

Our class has read and discussed the book, The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper. (I highly recommend getting a copy to read aloud to your child over and over.)

The Little Engine is an example of not giving up, and the power of believing in ourselves. Students know not to give up when it comes to reading a word. They know that good readers have good habits, also called Reading Strategies, for solving hard words. They know to stay positive. They tell themselves, "I Think I can. I think I can." They try their strategies for solving hard words.They really can do it! They have strategies! Encourage your child when they get to a tricky part, and say, "I think you can!"

Be patient, and always, keep reading fun! 

One of our reading strategies that we use when reading a book  is called "Flippy Dolphin." It's also called "Try it 2 Ways."

This strategy helps us to figure out how to read a tricky or hard word, by trying saying the sound of a vowel in a different way. One sound is called a short vowel, the other is called a long vowel. 

For example, in "cane" and "can" the vowel sound "a" is pronounced in different ways. So if a student was reading  a book and the sentence said, "The man with the hurt foot was using his cane to walk", but your child reads it as, "The man with the hurt foot was using his can to walk", we want your child to ask himself, "Does it make sense?", and if not, try saying the vowel sound, or other "chunks" (see our Chunky Monkey Reading Strategy, and see image below) in a different way. 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/FreeDownload/Flippy-Dolphin-Anchor-Chart-1306252

You can download and print this document for FREE at Teachers Pay Teachers. I highly encourage you to make an account so that you can download all the resources I share on this website. It's simple and free, and oh so helpful for our kiddos!

Watch this short video to see "Flippy the Dolphin" in action:

Flippy Dolphin Example Video

You can sing this song to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know it", to help your child remember this strategy.

You can print this for free: Flippy Dolphin Song Sheet

We use Reading Strategies Bookmarks during independent reading time in class. This  help us to remember all the things we can try to figure out how to read a tricky word. I plan on sending each child home with a Reading Strategies bookmark. 

You can learn all about the strategies and download free Reading Strategy Bookmarks here: Reading Strategies Posters and Bookmarks, By Growing Firsties