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You are here: Home / All categories / Reading Pointers

Reading Pointers

July 22, 2013 • 10 Comments

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I recently stumbled across my collection of reading pointers from my days in the classroom.  I had so many and for good reason.  There are lots of reading activities that you can do with a pointer.  Not only that, they are fun to make and collect.  Here are some ideas for making, collecting and using pointers with your reader.

Making, collecting and using reader pointers

Pointers as a Reading Tool 

  • Beginning readers who need to track (point to each word as they read) can use a pointer instead of their finger.  Shorter pointers work best for this job.  I also have written about tracking using martian fingers that you can check out here.
  • During shared reading of a text (big book, chart, etc.) longer pointers assist in tracking too.  I have used longer pointers to model, and then, let the readers use them to track as they read the same material.  Here are some shared reading tips I’ve shared in the past.
  • Use a pointer to go on a letter or word hunt around the house or classroom.
  • Create a pointing race.  Give two readers each a pointer.  Call out a word on a word wall.  The first person to point to the word, collects two points.  If the second reader can read the word, they collect one point.

Making and Collecting Pointers

Some items that make great pointers include:  swizzle sticks, fancy pencils with cute eraser tops, toy swords, light up sticks and fancy straws.

You can also make pointers with popsicle sticks or wooden dowels and just about anything you can think of to glue to one end.  I used a large wiggly eye and a piece of colored plastic folder as tips for my pointers.  I recommend using a hot glue gun for best results.

making pointers as reading tools

I enjoyed having an assortment of holiday themed pointers to add even more variety to our activities.  What other things can you think of that would make good pointers?

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10 Comments Filed Under: All categories, Learning to Read, Reading Fun Tagged With: teaching kids to read, tracking

About Jodie Rodriguez

Jodie Rodriguez is a mom of two young boys and an early childhood/elementary educator with over 20 years of experience. Jodie's passion is helping parents, teachers, librarians and anyone else interested in nurturing and reaching ALL of our youngest growing readers.

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  1. JDaniel4's Mom says

    July 26, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    What a wonderful collection of pointers! I have pinned them to my Learning to Read board. Thank you for sharing it with me.

    Reply
    • JodieRodriguez says

      July 27, 2013 at 2:06 pm

      Thank you so much for pinning them!

      Reply
  2. JDaniel4's Mom says

    July 26, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    What a wonderful collection of pointers! I have pinned them to my Learning to Read board.

    Reply
  3. hsmominmo says

    July 24, 2013 at 9:43 pm

    Love this! I’ll be pulling this trick out of my tool box with my reluctant reader this coming school year.

    Reply
    • JodieRodriguez says

      July 27, 2013 at 2:07 pm

      Great, I’m so glad you found it useful!

      Reply
  4. Tracy says

    July 22, 2013 at 10:51 am

    I love pointers, and you have some great ideas! In my experience they can be extremely motivating. Often a reluctant reader will just light up when he/she gets to use a pointer. I also love the idea of making it a craft project to involve the kids. This would make them really special. Craft stores often have holiday or seasonal themed wooden cut outs which make really special pointers. I also have found a healthy sprinkling of glitter, googly eyes, or feathers to really push them up a notch (or is it just me who loves these things 🙂 )

    Reply
    • JodieRodriguez says

      July 22, 2013 at 11:25 am

      Tracy, there are fun to make aren’t they? When I was in the classroom, I almost thought of banning glitter! 🙂 For weeks, it was all over the classroom. Thanks for all your great ideas.

      Reply
  5. PragmaticMom says

    July 22, 2013 at 7:26 am

    What a fun craft to get kids reading! I love it!

    Reply
    • JodieRodriguez says

      July 22, 2013 at 8:09 am

      Thank you! And, thanks for sharing!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. After School Link-Up - This Reading Mama says:
    July 29, 2013 at 8:00 am

    […] My own kids love using reading pointers and these ideas are super cute! {from Growing Book by Book} […]

    Reply

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