Just for You

Joe, approaching seven,
Still has not memorized the letter sounds.
We’ve been working on that for
Three
Years.

Today Phil called him over,
And the two sat together for an hour,
Drawing pictures for the 26 cards
With upper case and lower case symbols.
Just for you.

This offers Joe a cheat sheet,
A way to see
N
And look at the picture of a nail
And remember the sound.

I hope this will be a game changer.

I tested him in blending.
Even simple consonant-vowel-consonant words, like
Pig pot Sam mop
Challenged him.
Four sound words, like
Nest black
Were impossible.

Now we know where our labor must be.
Now we have a way forward.

Now Joe, with some visual clues, has a chance.

And he is excited!