blend ladders

zsmomma · #1 09-07-2005, 06:12 PM

I have a kindergartner using ABeka and I have a small problem. She knows what her vowels say and the letters T and L (thats as far as we have gotten right now). The problem is she can't seem to blend them together, say 'ta' or 'ti'. She can say them independently but not together. Do I need to order the blend ladders from Abeka? I don't see how it would do any good but I am starting to be at my wits end with it too.

Any suggestions for me to use with her? Thanks in advance, Renee

Trish · #2 09-07-2005, 06:25 PM

You might try something that has music to it with blends. I used Hooked on Phonic & Abeka with Vicki. If you can find a tape or cd with blends of letters you can make it game and sing it. Singing always works with Vicki. Just trying to help.

zsmomma · #3 09-07-2005, 06:32 PM

Thanks! She LOVES music. I will give it a try. That is how I got her to learn the vowels is by singing be my echo with them. She knows the sounds just can't seem to put them together in her head.

OKmom · #4 09-07-2005, 09:45 PM

There's also a Leap Frog video with blends. If you haven't tried them -- check them out, they're great!! My kids love the music (they're 4yo and 5yo) and it really helps the concept "stick" with them.

chee65 · #5 09-08-2005, 11:22 PM

How old is your kindergarten child? Trevor had the same problem last year when he was in K4, so I kept presenting it to him in different ways. Yes, I do believe the blend ladders work. I also use the flannel board with the letters on it. He seems to love that part. I also write it on the board. First I write the t and have him give the sound then I cover the t and add a vowel then I have him sound it out, then I underline it and tell him to say it together really fast. Another approach is the cheering game. I tell him we are going to learn a cheer. I say, Give me a (sound of t) as I show flashcard then I hide that behind my back then I say give me a (vowel sound) then flash the vowel card then I do that about 2 times then I quickly flash both cards so he is excited and he will say the sounds together. I know this sounds crazy but it really did work. This year in kindergarten he doesn't seem to be having problems with it. I know it sounds repetitious but it really does work to have different approaches to it. These ideas came from my sister who has taught kindergarten using ABEKA for 7 years. She says that some children don't get it right away but as the year progresses they eventually get it. So I wouldn't worry too much. Specially since she is sounding out the letters okay.

HeidiPA · #6 09-09-2005, 08:58 AM

When I used Abeka for kindergarten with my older daughter (now 11), I just made my own blend ladders on 4x6 cards. It's saved the expense of buying them and they didn't take up so much room!
It may be that, since she's just learned the first 2 consonant sounds so far, that she's just not quite ready to blend the sounds together. I'm sure she'll pick it up in no time, though.

zsmomma · #7 09-09-2005, 10:17 AM

Thanks. She seems to be doing better with it today. She actually got 2 of the blends so that is a start! She wants to read her Biscuit books so bad that she is pushing herself a tad to hard I think. Thanks again,