The Science of Reading

UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) has created a program to improve the outcome of literacy for students. UFLI uses evidence-based instructional practices to support students who are struggling with reading. 

The reading development programs use assessment, instruction, and intervention. 

I really like this program for Kindergarten. The activities use science to teach the students about the function of the sound of letters and sounds. 

Ex: The letter G, where do you feel the sound coming from... your throat, not your mouth. Is your mouth open or closed?

In addition, the students are able to see how the words are formed, and blend all the sounds together to make a word, and what happens when you change letters.  The UFLI website has a lot of great and free resources for educators and families to use with lessons, decodable texts, and blending boards. 

Heggerty is a program that focuses on phonological awareness. This program takes around 5-10 minutes to do and can be done every day with the students. This program focuses on the phonology of the words with a focus on the sounds of the letters, and how words change when we change the letters. There are actions for each of the prompts such as punch up for the last sound. 

I have noticed a big change in the way the students say words and their engagement with the activities. They really enjoyed the parts where they could provide their own input, whole class engagement, and use their bodies to learn the words.