It's all in the sound

Yes, I'm giving my services freely again this year at school. Still in the library, computer lab, heading up the yearbook and for any teacher or team in need. Only this year, I've started a little reading program for my Resource friends. These students are ones that have a slight learning disability and all of them are well below their grade level in reading. Soooo, I decided, with the approval of our Media Specialist and the Resource teacher I would start my own little reading lab for these students. On three days a week, two hours each day, I get the pleasure of being in their company. We read together, they read to me and they test on what they've read. I just love these kids. They are all so eager to please, willing to learn, and appreciative. it makes me wonder if it isn't the rest of the student body that has a probelm.

Today my fourth grade buddy Walter was with me. He was reading a book to me and quite naturally needed help with some of the words. I rarely just give any of them the word, I make them work for it. I ask them to sound it out the best they can before I chime in.

Snow fort, that's what Walter was trying to get out. Well, snow made it out perfectly, it was the fort that was giving him problems. I tell him, "Come on baby you can do it, sound it out." He does..."f-f-f-a-ar-t, FART!" He looks at me with huge eyes, like he can't believe that word is in the book, I'm looking at him and we both laugh hysterically. I say, "No Honey, what sound does "o r" make together?" He gives me the correct sound of "or" and suddenly realizes the word is fort not fart. He laughed again at his mistake and continued on to finish the book.

I must say, the situation some of the kids are in is extremely sad and I would change it for everyone of them if I could. But just having the opportunity to be a small part of their lives for me is a true blessing.

Walter aced his test!