News from the Reading Room
February 5, 2016
Greetings!
Currently, I have attempted to contact each of you by phone. If we have not yet spoken to
each other about your student’s winter reading tests, please contact me by phone 815-6972642, email teimen@cusd4.org, or send a note with your student to share a convenient time
for us to meet or for me to call you to discuss your student’s progress. Thank you! 
Kindergarten: RF.k.1.D Recognize and name all upper-and lowercase letters of the alphabet.
RF.K2.B Count,
pronounce, blend, and segment syllables in spoken words. RF.K.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word
analysis skills in decoding words. RF.K.3c Read common high frequency words by site. RF.K.4 Read emergentreader texts with purpose and understanding.
Students practiced letters and sounds using Tucker signing. Students were also introduced to
the diagraphs: ck and wr. They continued reviewing short vowel sounds and were able to
identify the medial (middle) vowel sounds in words. Students read and created CVC (consonantvowel-consonant) words.
First Grade: RI.1.1 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text. RL1.3 Describe characters, settings,
and major events in a story. RL.1.7 Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, settings, or
events. RF.1.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. RF.1.4 Read with
accuracy and fluency to support comprehension .
Students continued to practice Tucker signing the alphabet, R-controlled vowels, and diagraphs.
A new chart of commonly used words was added to their daily work. (They are up to 7 charts
out of 9-Way to go first grade!!) Students also identified, read, and wrote words with blends.
Students were introduced to vocabulary, read and discussed Silly Kitty, and answered
comprehension questions. I hope you have time this weekend to choose a part from the book I
sent home and read the play with your student.  I encourage you to continue practicing
Dolch’s site word flash cards every night for 3-5 minutes. If your student does not know a word
right away, it’s beneficial to place that card in a separate pile to practice with just 4 or 5 words
at a time.
(over)
Second Grade: RF.2.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
RF.2.3a Distinguish long and short vowels when reading regularly spelled one-syllable words. RF.2.4 Read with
sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. RF.2.4b Read on-level text orally with accuracy,
appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings.
Students focused on reading and identifying “or” words. They used letter cards and word
families to create, read, and write words with the “or” pattern. Students also practiced applying
the “or” patterns using The Roaring Storm. They practiced reading and spelling words using “ou
and ow” vowel sounds. Students have become very competitive about learning their site words.
 Please help your student learn their words (and earn rewards) by practicing with the
Dolch’s flashcards for 5-10 minutes every night. If your student does not know a word right
away, I would recommend placing that card in a separate pile to practice with just 5 or 6 words
at a time.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your student’s progress in Title 1
reading, please contact me at 815-697-2642 or email me at teimen@cusd4.org. Together we
are accomplishing great gains for your student! Hope you have time to check out our reading
web site http://www.cusd4.org for informational tips, helpful reading strategies, and our
weekly newsletters. Hope you have a wonderful weekend and thank you again for all of your
support! 
Mrs. Eimen
Reading Specialist