Decodable Texts

Decodable Texts

A powerful way that we will practice applying new phonics concepts that are taught is through reading Decodable Texts. A decodable text is a story that is controlled based on the phonics skills that have been taught up to that point in the scope and sequence. There is a heavy focus on the target phonics skills for a specific week of instruction. For example, if we are working on the phonics concept magic e and how it makes the vowel say its own name, in that specific decodable text you will find lots of words containing magic e, in addition to previously taught concepts for review. It is true that the majority of the words in a decodable text can be sounded out based on the sound-spelling relationships that your child has been taught. Additionally, it will contain some high-frequency red words that have been introduced. Decodable texts have a powerful impact on a childs’ motivation to read. We know that reading success is dependent on building self confidence and enjoyment while reading. When a child reads a decodable text, there are lots of words that they are able to successfully sound out and read using their previously taught phonics skills. Children are excited that they can read them more independently and this helps contribute to their development of a love for reading.

It is important that your child is reading on a daily basis at home. Please read and re-read some of the decodable texts that are in your child's folder with them on a daily basis. They should first begin with the new decodable book on the concept that has been taught that week. Then follow up with re-reading previous decodable books in their reading folder. This repetition and practice of previous taught skills will increase mastery of phonics concepts and to improve their oral reading fluency. They can read to an adult, a sibling, a pet, a stuffed animal or independently. Reading the new decodable book with your child will give you a talking point about one of the many things they have learned in school that day/week. The main purpose of this decodable text is to provide practice and reinforcement with the phonics skills being taught. We know the application of any skill taught is how that skill sticks. Also you will find blending cards to match the phonetic patterns taught in your child’s folder. Your child should read them on the side with the dots where they can carefully practice blending the sounds to read the words on that specific phonetic pattern. Some of the blending cards will require them to just read the words, while others will have multiple spelling patterns and will require them to read the words and then categorize/sort them into the phonetic patterns.