Blends Are Hard For ELLs!

Today I'm providing a free tool:
the Blends Foldable Bookmark

Accordion-fold it and keep it in a book you're using for guided reading.

The first step is admitting you have a problem: 
Blends are hard for ELLs!

Many ELLs have not developed the ability to make certain blended sounds found in the English language.  Drawing attention to these blends and practicing will allow students to master this skill.

 Today I’m providing a tool:  the Blends Foldable Bookmark
You can download and customize this book mark for free.  The link is provided at the bottom of the page or in the box above.
​
During a guided reading time, create a blends list.   If you create the list with students as you read (rather than prepare the lists ahead of time,) they begin to notice words on their own. 

First, as you are reading, point out words to add to a blend list (don’t do too many lists at one time as this can make reading cumbersome and students lose the overall meaning of the text in their search for blends.) 

Then, continue pointing out words as the reading continues until they start noticing them independently. It’s a good idea not to interrupt reading in the middle of a sentence.  Allow the reader to finish a paragraph or page before stopping to point out blend-words.
​
The Blends Foldable Bookmark can be kept in the reading book for students to review and practice.  After a book is complete, have the students attach their book mark to an interactive journal or take a picture and add it to an electronic notebook.

Blends Foldable Bookmark
Customize or print it as is.  Accordion-fold the page and instruct students to keep it in a book you are using for guided reading.

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter.  Like my post!