Fundations

Research indicates that systematic and explicit phonics instruction is effective for all children. The program emphasizes phonemic awareness, phonics-word study, high frequency word study, fluency, vocabulary and spelling. We will combine this phonics instruction with the reading of our core/literature-base language arts program for an integrated a comprehensive approach to reading and spelling.

Research also proves that when a child has a "Coach" in addition to a classroom teacher, the child makes significant progress. This year, we will be a TEAM~ I will be the teacher, and you the Coach.

In order to take on that role, I will include the necessary tools needed and you will be kept informed of what is happening in our online classroom, and be given suggestions and a guide as to what can be happening at home.

Spelling CHECKS will be given at the end of each Fundations Unit (some units last 2 or 3 weeks). These will look very different than a ‘traditional’ spelling test since the goal of Fundations is to guide children to recognize spelling patterns/rules and not rote memorization. This concept plays a key role when readers come across words in text they need to decode fluently in order to comprehend the entire text.

I look forward to a very successful year!