Eliana was 30 minutes late for our session. I began by reviewing Eliana's spelling ring. She requires prodding (and confidence) to remember the spelling rule (FLSZ) and to "hear" the sounds in words. Once reminded and encouraged, she is able to spell most of the words. Practice during the week will lead to mastery. Next, Eliana did "b/d punches" to discern the difference between the letters. She sequenced the alphabet, identified the vowels, and read open, closed, and silent-e syllables. I conducted a one-minute phonological awareness exercise, asking Eliana to drop one syllable in a three-syllable word. She did well, but we will stay on this level until she achieves automaticity. To conclude, Eliana practiced cursive letters learned (I, t, u, w) and I taught her three new letters (r, s, j). I sent Eliana home with cursive and spelling sentence pages.