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The Encyclopedia of Parenting from A-Z so help me God!

(Sample exercise taken from page 125-126)

Grocery Grab

The activity Grocery Grab can be applied to numerous skill areas. Directions which follow, zero in on vowel recognition. Adults and children of all ages love this one!

POINTERS FOR PARENTS

'GROCERY GRAB' FOR VOWELS

1. Materials Needed: 5 large paper shopping bags, thick magic markers to label the bags, a variety of empty containers such as boxes, cartons or cans

2. Explain the difference between long and short vowel sounds: short a, as in hat; short e, as in bet; short I , as in bit; short o, as in hot; and short u, as in hut. Long Vowels: say their name. Example: long a-cape; long e-heel; long I-bite; long o-boat; long u, cute.

3. Print a large vowel on each bag: A, E, I, O, U

4. Tell the children if you want long or short vowel sounds. As they improve, they can choose either vowel sound. HINT: short vowels are usually more difficult, and should be mastered first.

5. The children will sort the food containers and place them into the appropriate grocery bag. Parents decide: children can toss them or place them.

6. They must say the word aloud, and tell you where the short or long vowel sound is located in the word.

SUGGESTED FOODS:

SHORT VOWELS: Apples, jam, eggs, ham, chips, popsicles, olives, butter, gum, muffins, cabbage and apple butter

LONG VOWELS: Potatoes, cake, raisins, peaches, peas, beans, beets, seeds, cheese, pineapple, rice and yogurt

You can probably think of many more! Check your cupboards and pantries for more food items to use.

REMEMBER: Games like Grocery Grab are reinforcing phonics and word attack skills that will help your children crack the code of the English Language. This game can be fun for the whole family and the children will become better readers.

Copyright 2001 by Dr. Carol S. Kennedy