This page is just a quick overview of the topics in the blog series.
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Step 1: Learn Letter Sounds
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The matching mats and worksheets make practicing letter names and beginning sounds fun and engaging. Perfect for centers, small groups, or extra practice. Easy to prep and very effective! – Mignon C.
Step 2: Segment to Blend
Blending is an essential skill for decoding. However, I have learned from personal experience and from research by Torgesen, Morgan, & Davis (1992) that emphasis should be placed on segmenting words into phonemes.
Step 3: Phonics with Sound Boxes
In step three of building a reader we will use Elkonin Boxes also know as Sound Boxes.
This activity is explained on page 11 of the book “Graphophonemic Knowledge: Routines and Teaching Tools ” written by The Children’s Learning Institute at the University of Texas at Houston. We will use the same boxes and counters as before.
Model the activity. Say, “Listen as I segment the word man. I will move a counter for each sound I say. /m/ /a/ /n/. The first sound I heard was /m/. I am going to write the spelling for that sound in the first box, m. The next sound I hear in the word is /a/. /a/ is spelled with the letter a. Watch as I write the letter a in the second box. The last sound I hear is /n/. /n/ is spelled with the letter n. Watch as I write the letter n in the third box.
Step 4: Read with Support
Elkonin Sound Boxes are a great instructional routine, but I have improved it by using an Alphabet Mat with movable pieces as a sort of “hands on type writer” that includes visual support for each sound.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I am using this resource in small group instructional settings to help build phonemic and phonological awareness. – Dominique B.
The Sound Box Spelling Puzzles are a fun activity I developed after learning about Elkonin Boxes.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is a great activity to use with students who are practicing phonemic awareness skills. It is very engaging for students and helps them learn in the process. – Jill R.
Step 5: Read CVC Words
My Word Lists FREEBIE includes a page full of CVC words.
The CVC Matching Mats are my go to for practicing reading CVC words. These mats have only 5 words each. The first one focuses on the short a vowel sound. Colorful visuals support learners and color coding on the mats helps little ones keep them organized.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I used this for a small group of 1st graders and they loved it! – School Days With Miss Mae
NEW CVC words freebie includes a list of CVC words with pictures and 1 mixed CVC practice matching mat. Click here to see this FREEBIE on TPT.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My students can practice cvc words on their own or with a partner. – Susanne S.
Step 6: Learn Sight Words
The benefits of reading high-frequency words with automaticity is obvious in reading. These words make up so much of what is read that stopping for each one would greatly hinder a readers ability to read fluently. Furthermore, irregular high frequency words cannot be sounded out. The sooner readers are able to quickly recognize high frequency words, the better. The American Heritage Word Frequency Book lists the following irregularly-spelled high-frequency words in order of frequency.
My Word Lists FREEBIE includes a page full of High Frequency words.
Step 7: Read Sentences
Now that students are able to read CVC words and high frequency words, they can practice reading sentences. Students will practice reading simple sentences with CVC words and Sight Words. Write simple sentences with CVC Words and Sight words on sentence strips, or give students CVC words and Sight Words, have them listen to a sentence and build it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is a great resource for my newcomers and ELLs that need help putting together a sentence. The product is easy to print and use as a center during our reading block. – SALLY M.
Step 8: Fluency
Developing fluency is important for students to be able to read words quickly and effortlessly, so they can focus on what they are reading.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is a fun and engaging resource to use with my intervention groups. – Angela B.
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