A good way to help struggling readers is to help them learn the most common rime patterns. The rime is the part of the word after the first vowel. For example, in the word “mice” the /m/ sound is called the onset and the “ice” is called the rime. In English, we often change the initial consonant to create a new word. For example, we can change the initial consonant and create the words: lice, dice, twice and so forth. Provide the rime patterns to students and have them brainstorm as many words as possible that contain the rime pattern. Children enjoy it and soon start noticing the rime patterns in many words as they read.
Helping Teachers Improve Literacy Instruction and Teach Students to Read