Dancing Bears Book A

Dancing Bears Book A is designed for pupils who are starting to read but are not keeping up with whole class teaching. It can also be used with older children with a reading age of not more than 7 years. The book starts with Decoding Power Pages consisting of carefully-structured word lists of simple three-letter words. Common, unambiguous digraphs (e.g., ee, ar, sh) are introduced very quickly. Less predictable spelling patterns and common irregular words (I, you, he, me, we, be) are introduced at a controlled rate, first in simple sentences with plenty of multi-sensory practice, and then once the pupil has developed good, basic decoding skills, with Cloze Sentences. Cloze Sentences encourage reading for meaning and later on they play a big role in teaching vocabulary. Final and initial consonant blends are introduced in the second half of the book, and timed exercises develop fluency. A selection of 'Bear Markets'-micro-dramas for two or three voices-that were so popular when we first introduced them Bear Necessities are included in the latest edition. There are two serial stories to maintain interest, with each episode giving more sustained practice of a new pattern.