In Mrs. Simon’s first grade class, students have been working on the short vowel sound “u” in their phonics lesson. After wrapping up their lesson, they dove into the enchanting book Abuela by Arthur Dorros. The story follows Rosalba and her grandmother, or "Abuela," as they embark on a magical journey, flying high above the bustling streets, vibrant sights, and lively people of New York City sparkling below them.
To prepare for this reading adventure, students explored key “power words” in the story, including
docked, close, harbor, and unload. Focusing on these words helps students develop vocabulary skills and deepen their comprehension, an approach strongly supported by the science of reading. Research shows that building background knowledge and understanding essential vocabulary before reading can enhance a child’s ability to decode and connect with text meaningfully. Mrs. Simon’s class is excited to continue their literacy journey, one story and power word at a time!