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These excerpts come from the second issue of Hats Off!, the Sounds & Symbols Early Reading Program Newsletter:

These excerpts come from the second issue of Hats Off!, the Sounds & Symbols Early Reading Program Newsletter. For more information about Hats Off! or to subscribe, please email the Webmaster, webmaster@agsnet.com.

Are We Seeing Double ??

Not really, but we are including two High Hat puppets in each kit. Why? Maybe we're just suckers for the kids. One for them, and one for you! Your students can help act out the stories with High Hat. The two puppets can also be useful in role-playing or conversation practice.

Easy as 1, 2, 3!

The new and Sounds and Symbols Early Reading Program will include three CDs containing recordings of the songs and all of the High Hat stories! The first CD will contain sound training for teachers and the songs. The second CD will contain the first set of all the High Hat stories. The third CD will contain the new second set of all the stories. Use of the CD format will make it easier to locate a specific song or story, not to mention that it will be far more durable.

Dividing the recordings into separate CDs will also allow you to keep the story CDs in listening centers and the song CD in the classroom if you like. Each CD will also be available for individual ordering. You can easily order multiple copies for your school, or parents can purchase them for home use.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

As you may notice upon reading the Wendy Watch stories appearing in this newsletter, there are two significant changes we've made to all stories based on suggestions of current High Hat users.

All stories now carry a similar phrase at the end. "High Hat was glad he could help Wendy Watch, because more than anything else, High Hat likes to make people happy." This phrase provides a way to tie the stories together, and students will enjoy the repetition.

Another new feature you will find in all of the stories is the insertion of the story's target sound in isolation along with a pronunciation key. This feature should help to really "zero in on" the target sound in the story.

Wendy Watch

As we promised in the first issue of Hats Off!, here is the story about Wendy Watch that will appear in the revised Story Book. We have also included a second, newly written story about Wendy Watch to be used for further practice of the sounds. Enjoy!

Wendy's Watch

Once upon a time there was a little girl named Wendy. She was sad because she wanted to be able to tell time, but she was too little. So she always missed out on things. She was never in the right place at the right time.

In the morning, Wendy woke up too late to kiss her daddy goodbye when he went to work. Then Wendy walked to the park, but she was too late to play with her friends. She came inside too early for lunch. In the afternoon, Wendy missed her favorite TV show because she wasn't aware it was on. When it was time to go to bed, Wendy was always in the middle of doing something else.

One day when Wendy was looking out her bedroom window, High Hat came walking by. When he saw Wendy's sad face, he asked, "What is the trouble, young lady? Can I help you?"

Wendy told High Hat that she was sad because she was too little to tell time. High Hat smiled and reached into his special pocket. "I have just the thing for you . . . a Wendy watch! It's for people who want to be on time for everything."

High Hat pulled out the Wendy watch and showed it to Wendy. Instead of numbers on it, the watch had pictures of things to do. There were pictures of Wendy waking and eating and walking and sleeping and doing all kinds of wonderful things. Whenever the arrow pointed to a picture, Wendy would know what to do.

High Hat helped Wendy wind the watch: w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w (say the w sound, not the letter name, and make a winding motion). "Wow," said Wendy, "Thank you, High Hat!"

High Hat answered, "You are very welcome, Wendy." Wendy was very proud of her new Wendy watch. High Hat winked at Wendy as he went on his way.

High Hat was glad he could help Wendy Watch, because more than anything else, High Hat likes to make people happy.

Wendy Watch and Wag

One warm day High Hat was going for a walk. He saw his friend Wendy Watch sitting in her yard. She had a sad look on her face.

High Hat stopped and asked, "What is wrong, Wendy Watch?"

Wendy Watch looked up at High Hat. She said, "None of my friends can come over and play. And I can't go play at their houses because they all have dogs. I'm allergic to dogs. If I go to my friend Will's house and pet his furry dog Wiggles, I start sneezing. Then my eyes water and my nose gets runny. My friends have so much fun with their dogs. I wish I could have a dog that wouldn't make me sneeze. Then I'd always have someone to play with."

"Don't worry, Wendy Watch," said High Hat. "I've got a wonderful friend for you in my special pocket."

High Hat reached in and pulled out something that looked like a dog. He said to Wendy, "This is Wag, a special wind-up dog. He's a little girl's best friend. Just wind Wag up, and he'll wag his tail and say, 'Woof, woof.'" Wag can play all day in the yard with you. When it's time to go inside, wind him up again. Then he'll follow you into the house. And best of all, this little dog won't make you sneeze."

High Hat continued, "Let's wind him up. Look at Wag go--wwwwwwww (say the w sound, not the letter name)!" Wag walked around in circles, wagged his tail, and said, "Woof, woof" to Wendy.

Wendy Watch gave High Hat a wide smile. "Thank you, High Hat," she said. "You are wonderful. I will always take good care of Wag."

High Hat was glad he could help Wendy Watch, because more than anything else, High Hat likes to make people happy.