lessons
structured literacy Lessons
Structured Literacy approaches are research based. Not only is this approach recommended for students with dyslexia and other poor decoders, it benefits ALL students.
Structured Literacy key features include:
(a) explicit, systematic, and sequential teaching of literacy at multiple levels— phonemes, letter–sound relationships, syllable patterns, morphemes, vocabulary, sentence structure, paragraph structure, and text structure;
(b) cumulative practice and ongoing review;
(c) a high level of student– teacher interaction;
(d) the use of carefully chosen examples and nonexamples;
(e) decodable text; and
(f) prompt, corrective feedback.
from Structured Literacy and Typical Reading Practices: Understanding Differences to Create Instructional Opportunities
For more information, read The Science of Reading Evidence for a New Era of Reading Instruction and The Science of Reading: 5 Key Concepts
UFLI Foundations
For grades K-2, we use UFLI Foundations.
UFLI Foundations is an explicit and systematic program that teaches students the foundational skills necessary for proficient reading. It follows a carefully developed scope and sequence designed to ensure that students systematically acquire each skill needed and learn to apply each skill with automaticity and confidence. The program is designed to be used for core instruction in the primary grades or for intervention with struggling students in any grade.
Read Well
For grades 1 and 2, we use Read Well and supplement with activities and games.
Students practice story reading, learn vocabulary, develop decoding strategies, improve comprehension, and increase fluency. Regular assessment and flexible pacing ensure that students are successful in mastering skills taught.
Phonics for reading
For grades 3 and 4, we use PHONICS for Reading and supplemental materials for fluency and comprehension.
Each PHONICS for Reading lesson uses a systematic sequence of explicit phonics instruction, providing a consistent routine that allows students to apply each concept in increasingly challenging situations to build accuracy, automaticity, and fluency.
REWARDS
For grades 4, we use REWARDS.
REWARDS focuses on decoding multisyllabic words, identifying and understanding prefixes and suffixes, increasing word and passage reading fluency, building academic vocabulary, and deepening comprehension along with building confidence.
Phonemic awareness
"The two best predictors of early reading success are alphabet recognition and phonemic awareness"(Adams, 1990).
Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate the sounds of language. These skills are essential component of effective reading and spelling instruction.
Heggerty Phonemic Awareness focuses on teaching phonemic awareness skills of rhyming, onset fluency, blending, identifying final or medial sounds, segmenting, adding phonemes, deleting phonemes, and substituting phonemes.
Links to Heggerty Phonemic Awareness on YouTube:
What is phonemic awareness?, sample lessons, hand movements, and more!
