What is UFLI Foundations?

UFLI (pronounced you-fly) stands for the University of Florida Literacy Institute.
UFLI Foundations is a structured literacy program used in all K–2 classrooms at West Rapids Elementary.

It helps students build strong early reading skills using lessons that are clear, consistent, and research-based.
This is the phonics and foundational skills part of your child’s reading instruction.

Why Are We Using UFLI?

UFLI is aligned with the science of reading, which means it’s based on how children learn to read best.
It helps students become confident readers by teaching:

• Letter-sound knowledge

• Phonemic awareness (hearing and working with sounds)

• Blending and segmenting words

• High-frequency word reading

• Spelling patterns

• Fluency and accuracy
  
  

Each day, your child will have a 30 minute UFLI lesson that follows a consistent routine:

1. Review previously taught letters, sounds, and words

2. Oral practice blending and segmenting sounds

3. New learning of a sound or pattern

4. Practice reading and writing words and sentences

5. Apply skills to reading connected text (decodable words)

Lessons are fun, fast-paced, and filled with repetition to help students build mastery!

• Ask your child what sounds or spelling patterns they’re learning

• Practice reading high-frequency words and simple books together

• Encourage your child to sound out unknown words

• Celebrate effort — learning to read takes practice and confidence!

• Parent Resource Hub: https://ufli.education.ufl.edu/resources/parent/

We are proud to use UFLI as part of our commitment to high-quality, consistent reading instruction in every classroom.

Our teachers received training and planning time before launching the program, and we continue to work together to ensure all students are growing as readers.

Want to Learn More?

• Visit the UFLI Foundations website

• Talk to your child’s teacher about how they’re doing with early reading

• Keep checking your child’s folder for reading tips and home practice