HIGHLIGHTS: ONE MORE REASON…2024 DONOR LIST…D AND B CONFUSION db…TIDY UP…

ONE MORE REASON

Every volunteer has their reasons for joining VRP.  Thank you to Christine Haggarty (John English) for sharing one more of the wonderful reasons to read each week:

Today one of my readers from last year ran up to me, stood tall and proud, said "I'm now an ACE reader, and it's because of you!" and reached out to shake my hand.  

Sure made my day!

DONOR LIST

Without the incredible volunteers there would be no VRP!  The Board of Directors thank you for making it all possible.  Your work is generously supported by many individual donors. Please find the 2024 Donor List, 2024 Annual Report and 2024 Financials posted on the VRP Website. 

D AND B CONFUSION db

Lots of early readers confuse lowercase b and d.  Thanks to Alison McKenzie Armes (Grenoble) for sharing these creative solutions from some of The Measured Mom subscribers:

1. The Lowercase in Uppercase Trick:"I teach them that the lowercase b fits inside the uppercase B. It's a visual cue they can always refer back to!"

2. The Belly Rule: "We say 'b has a belly, d doesn't.' It's simple, but it sticks!"

3. The Chant and Draw Method:"I use a simple chant aligned with a mnemonic. While teaching the formation, I model the writing and draw saying 'bat before ball' so they instinctively make a standing line for bat and loop it around for the ball. For 'd', it's 'curve the d' and they automatically make the curvy 'c' first."

4. The Thumbs Up Trick:"Make a thumbs up with both hands. Bump your knuckles together. Then in alphabetical order, b before d. This visual and kinesthetic approach really helps!"

TIDY UP

Please remember to take an extra minute or two at the end of your VRP time to tidy the supplies and organize the books for your reading partners.  It makes a difference for everyone!  Extra special thanks to the volunteers and School Coordinators who already make a point of tidying up the books, stickers and supplies each week.