Sample Lessons from Power Tools For Literacy (428 Pages)
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Power Tools for Literacy uses a variety of engaging activities to cover these key topics and more:
  • Short and long vowels with consonant blends/digraphs
  • R-controlled vowels, diphthongs, and vowel digraphs
  • Short vowel signals
  • Configuration of the 7 types of syllables
  • Rules for dividing polysyllabic words
  • Compound words
  • Accented and unaccented syllables
  • Reading, spelling, and defining 50 common suffixes
  • Spelling rules for adding suffixes to base words
  • Vocabulary enrichment by reading, spelling, and defining 50 common prefixes
  • Free and bound morphemes
  • Vocabulary enrichment by reading, spelling, and defining Latin roots and Greek combining forms
  • Weekly spelling lists that include high frequency sight words
The lessons incorporate a multisensory approach involving the visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and oral modalities. Multisensory strategies activate every student’s stronger learning style and strengthen the weaker modality.
Before you scroll through the sample lessons, it is important to understand that Power Tools for Literacy addresses the needs of a wide age and ability range.
  • Most 3rd graders are capable of covering chapters 1-6. Modify chapter 3 by teaching lessons 1-6 only and skipping the rest of the chapter.
  • 4th graders are capable of covering Chapters 1-8 and 10
  • 5th-12th graders are capable of covering all chapters.
  • Students in grades 7-12 who have absolute mastery over short and long vowel sounds, consonant blends, and short vowel signals will only need to complete specified pages in the early chapters. The key concepts older students must learn are syllable patterns, coding, and rules of syllable division.
  • The lessons in Chapters 13 and 14 build vocabulary skills. Students will master prefixes, Latin roots, and Greek combining forms, which provide learning links to thousands of words. With minor modifications, these lessons can be implemented alongside earlier chapters.
All chapters begin with a note to the instructor that provides a detailed explanation for each lesson. Starting with Chapter 4 and up to Chapter 12, every chapter includes a story; however, these stories do not provide sufficient reading practice. It is crucial for students to read age-appropriate literature on a daily basis accompanied by intensive vocabulary development.

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More customer comments:
"I saw the twins today and asked Bryan if he had been watching the World Cup soccer matches (he had just been to soccer camp) and he responded that he wasn't -- he'd rather read a book. Well, of course, I figured he was shining me on; but when his father came to pick them up, he told me that they both prefer reading books to watching TV! The dad is pleased as punch with their improved reading. And all thanks to you!"
-Joan Downey, volunteer tutor of 3rd graders
"My class of high school English learners wanted to do a lesson from Power Tools every day."
-Barbara Dahl, ELL Teacher
"Before this instruction, my son never read for pleasure. Now he reads voraciously!"
-Terry Sanders, parent of a 7th grader
"The publication of this program provides much needed materials for students with learning disabilities and English learners. Ms. Rau’s program has been a valuable asset to my teaching. It is well laid out and user-friendly for both the teacher and the student."
-Martha Ritchie, elementary Resource Specialist