So, as you know, I’ve been spending a lot of time discussing the Degrees of Maternity Summer Reading Program. The reason being: sessions are underway, so we’re in the thick of things. But also, we’re in the last few days of the enrollment period. Enrollment ends on June 30th. So, I wanted to make sure that children had a chance to partake of this worthwhile program, designed to strengthen the foundational reading skills of young readers.
While there’s still an opportunity to enroll, here is the video for an overview of the reading program and the contact form to set up an Interest Meeting (with me) to get even more program information if you like what you see in the video.
But, enough of the summer stuff. It’s time to move on to new discussions, because there’s nothing like getting prepared for The Next BIG THING!
With that being said —
I’m currently in the planning stages of my new literacy program that I plan on rolling out in late Summer/early Fall 2026. I’m SO EXCITED about it, because a modified version of it is currently being presented to the students I’m working with in the summer reading program. A very, very preliminary, work-in-progress version.
The children don’t know it, but they are the first group of young readers helping me to build my program from the ground up. The kinks that need to be worked through, the obstacles that need to be removed, and the unnecessary items versus the must-haves will be addressed with the help of my summer reading buddies.
By the way, I probably should tell you what the program is about. Well, let’s just say the program is all about finding a simple system for sight word decoding and automaticity skills-building.
Sight Word Recognition is one of those foundational reading skills that ALL skilled readers successfully develop. And, the sooner, the better. Children need to be fundamentally sound in decoding sight words in order to comprehend what they’re reading. Imagine trying to read any text (with length) without knowing any of the sight words in that text. Now, imagine trying to understand what that same text is telling you.
Let’s just say: there would be some confusion.
Knowing sight words is necessary in developing a child into a skilled reader, helping that child not only read words on a page or screen, but to also understand what those words are conveying.
And, sight word instruction can be a complicated beast to tame. I mean . . . we are dealing with many words that don’t follow the regular (or most commonly-known and used) phonological or decoding rules of the English language. Funny how that works, isn’t it? I mean . . . we’re taking frequently-used words, words that children are going to see a lot when they’re reading, and the children are going to encounter many of them as straight-up anomalies.
But, once they learn them, then they know them.
And, I’m all about the “simplifying things” way of being. If there’s a simplified way of approaching a learning system, why not jump on that bandwagon. In fact, I’m totally down for that ride. For children, reading can be challenging in and of itself, so I aim to take out as much ambiguity as I can in order to make reading as seamless and painless as possible for each child. In short, I’m constantly looking for ways to decrease the barriers to “skilled reading” entry for children.
I want children to feel empowered to tackle challenges, knowing that there are systematic ways of cracking the code to situations that don’t always follow the regular rules of engagement.
Soooooooo . . .
The charge that I’m commissioned to take on at this point in my literacy journey is to help our up-and-coming readers thrive in Sight Words World.
It’s a monumental undertaking, but I’m ready for it, am already invested in it, and plan on rolling out a program that will be a structured approach to producing a positive outcome every time.
Stay tuned as I take you through the newest Degrees of Maternity Literacy Program.
Until next time . . .
degreesofmaternity.com 