Study of the common element

The common element is a word that is repeated on all the sentences; the students are encouraged to recognize it, following a particular order:

1. When all the sentences are recognized, kids have to observe the text in search of similarities and differences between one sentence and the other. Naturally, kids will find the word that is repeated on all of the sentences.
2. When the teacher is sure that the kids can recognize the word perfectly, he or she can then write it with clear, simple, and big letters on the board, making sure the kids look how it is written, making big movements with the hand and arm, writing it on the air as well.
3. The students are encouraged to trace the word and observe how they have written it; the teacher should look at their stroke and make sure it’s correct. Then, they can try to copy the word, paying attention to the direction of the writing.
4. When they can copy it without much difficulty, the teacher can present it on the board, making them look at it, and then repeating the exercise on the air so they can imagine and visualize it. The teacher gives them pieces of paper where they can write the word and present it; this exercise can be repeated as many times as needed, always paying attention to the stroke.

The advantages and disadvantages of this method are the following:

Advantages

• Using this method to learn to read encourages a fast and fluid reading, correct pronunciation and use of pauses and intonation, and above all the quick understanding of what’s being read.
• The vocabulary used is that which surrounds the kid.
• The kids are the ones to develop new sentences, building them from personal experiences.

Disadvantages

• Classes can’t be prepared beforehand, since the teacher doesn’t have a way to know if the kids will be interested on a certain subject or not.
• Not all the kids show interest on the same topics.
• Visual analysis can be insufficient.