Super Readers have Pointer Power!

Touching or pointing to each word as you read is an important strategy for beginning readers.  It helps them to focus on beginning sounds in words, recognize known words (or parts of words) and make reasonable guesses about unknown words.  It also helps insure words won't be omitted or added.  Recently in Reader's Workshop the children used popsicle stick pointers to reinforce the importance of this strategy.  Here you can see some of the partners practicing back to back before they turn knee-to-knee to read aloud to their partner.