b and d Reversals

Happy Friday (I hope it is sunny and at least 72 degrees by you; here it is cloudy and the temp is hovering around 60 degrees)!  Are you getting anxious; are you feeling the back to school butterflies yet?  I am trying "real hard" *emphasizing* not to beat myself too much by trying to perfect everything in my classroom!  I have seen so many wonderful pictures of yours and others classrooms (Design Star quality) and I second guess what I have done in my classroom!  Ahhh, the joys of Type A personality!   haven't had dreams about what I need to move or arrange differently so I guess my mind is at ease when I sleep! :>)  If you are dreaming-literally dreaming- about your classroom, will warm milk or white noise help?????

So, onto my post idea!  Do you have a magic trick for b and d reversals?  I am tutoring two students who flip them and will interchange them when reading and writing!  Furthermore, in 2nd Grade it is still "common" for a few 7 and 8 year old students to reverse b and d.  Over the years, I have collected a few tricks and tools to put in my Resource Bag!  Here are a few:

• b and d with fists aka Thumbs Up!- the student puts up his or fists on each hand to make a b with the left hand and a d with the right hand.  It can be also pointed out the b is first in the alphabet and it is also first when you put up you b and d on you fists!
• b and d with pointer and thumb-the student uses his/her pointer finger and brings it down to touch his/her extended thumb (the pointer finger should make a circle shape when it touches the thumb).  
• b and d on sand paper letters (the preschool student I work with is a top fan of these)- On the sand paper letters there are green and red dots, arrows, and numbers to indicate where to start, form the letter and where to stop.
• sky write b and d-make sure to use a "sharpened finger pencil" and use big arm movements to make a b and d in the sky while saying the letter
• table top or desk top b and d-make a b and d with pointer on a desk or table surface while saying the letter.
• c comes before d-if students remember that c comes before d than they can make the c first and add the stick to form the d.
• mouth positions-have students use what position their mouth is in when they make the b and d sound- b-closed  d-open  
• bat/ball, doorknob/door-teach students to make the b first they make the bat then the ball.  For the d first they make the doorknob and then add the door.
•  gel bags- make b and d in a baggie filled with gel
• shaving cream-make b and d in a shaving cream (and clean the desk at the same time)

 I hope these help you!  Do you have any to share; if so, please do!  :>)

SMILES!

b and d poster