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Description

The science of reading is the converging evidence of what matters and what works in literacy instruction, organized around models that describe how and why. We've been accumulating data for a long time, providing science-driven guidance on how K-12 leaders can better help kids learn to read.

This ebook gives you evidence-based best practices to support decoding, phonics, language comprehension, and fluency.

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Everything you need to know about the science of reading

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Description The science of reading is the converging evidence of what matters and what works in literacy instruction, organized around models that describe how and why. We've been accumulating data for a long time, providing science-driven guidance on how K-12 leaders can better help kids learn to read.

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What is dyslexia? - Kelli Sandman-Hurley

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There are so many pieces to the Science of Reading that it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are a few highlights about what the Science of Reading IS and what it IS NOT. This knowledge will help you on your journey to teaching all children, including those with diverse needs and cultural backgrounds, to read.

What it IS

A Collection of Research

Research, over time, from multiple fields of study using methods that confirm and disconfirm theories on how children best learn to read.

Teaching Based on the 5 Big Ideas

Phonemic Awareness - The ability to identify and play with individual sounds in spoken words.

Phonics - Reading instruction on understanding how letters and groups of letters link to sounds to form letter- sound relationships and spelling patterns.

- The ability to read words, phrases, sentences, and stories correctly, with enough speed, and expression.

Vocabulary - Knowing what words mean and how to say and use them correctly.

Comprehension - The ability to understand what you are reading.

Ever Evolving

There is new research and evidence all the time. As populations, communities, and approaches evolve, so should practice.

What it is NOT

A program, an intervention, or a product that you can buy.

The Science of Reading could be considered an approach to teaching reading that is based on decades of research and evidence. It is NOT a specific program.

Phonics-based programs that drill phonics skills.

Phonics is an integral part of teaching reading based on science, but it is just one of the five big ideas that should be taught so all children can learn to read.

Complete and no more study needs to be done.

As with any science, it is never complete. We can always know more. More study happens all the time and researchers, teachers, and families can work together to bring the best research into classrooms.

National Center on Improving Literacy (2022). The Science of Reading: The Basics. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Special Education Programs, National Center on Improving Literacy. Retrieved from http://improvingliteracy.org.

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If you prefer, read the text-version of the infographic. Click to Enlarge There are so many pieces to the Science of Reading that it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are a few highlights about what the Science of Reading IS and what it IS NOT.

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What Is Scarborough's Reading Rope?

In 2001, Dr. Hollis Scarborough created the Reading Rope using pipe cleaners to convey how the different "strands" of reading are all interconnected yet independent of one another. For many students, learning to read is a challenge. Scarborough's Rope captures the complexity of learning to read.

Scarborough's Reading Rope is made up of lower and upper strands. When all these component parts intertwine it results in skilled and accurate, fluent reading with strong comprehension.

The lower strands include:

Phonological awareness

Decoding

Alphabetic principle

Letter-sound correspondences

Sight recognition

The upper strands include:

Background knowledge

Vocabulary

Language structures

Verbal reasoning

Literacy knowledge

The Lower Strands

Phonological Awareness

Phonological Awareness is a skill set that includes identifying and manipulating units of oral language - parts such as words, syllables, onsets, and rimes. Did you know that you can improve your students' ability to read unfamiliar words without showing them a single printed letter?

Decoding

Decoding is the ability to apply knowledge of sound-letter relationships (phonics) to correctly pronounce written words. Did you know that in 2019, only 35% of 4th graders were at or above (NAEP) proficient level on the reading assessment?

Sight Recognition

Our sight word memory is also referred to as our orthographic lexicon, which includes all the words we can read accurately and effortlessly. Literate adults have a sight word memory of 30,000 to 70,000 words. Starting in 3rd grade, it is estimated that "skilled orthographic mappers" anchor 10-15 new words a day into their sight word memories. Sight word recognition is foundational to fluent reading.

The Upper Strands

Background Knowledge

Background knowledge is an essential component in learning because it helps us make sense of new ideas and experiences. Readers rely on background knowledge to attend to and make sense of what they are reading. This is especially important for readers who are still relying heavily on word decoding rather than rapid word recognition. Having knowledge about a variety of subjects, topics, and ideas makes it more likely that they will be able to make sense of what they are reading and more likely that they will add to their body of knowledge.

Vocabulary

An extensive and rich vocabulary enables readers to make sense of what they are reading. A reader with rich auditory and oral vocabularies will find it easier to read through texts that contain words they have not seen in print before. If the student can use their growing decoding skills and match their result with a word they already know the meaning of, they will be more confident in their abilities and will spend less overall effort on reading a text.

Language Structures

Syntax - The arrangement of words in a phrase or sentence. The English language has patterns and rules for the way we order our words. It also has some flexibility and variety in acceptable patterns, and even then, speakers and writers are allowed some leeway with these patterns.

Semantics - In linguistics, semantics is the study of the meanings of morphemes, words, phrases, and sentences. Knowledge of the meaning of a text is essential to reading.

Verbal Reasoning

Inference - a conclusion one can draw from known facts or evidence

Metaphor - a word or phrase used to say that something is another thing in order to suggest that they are similar

Literary Knowledge

Print Concepts - letters vs. words, 1:1 correspondence, reading left-to-right and top-to-bottom, spaces between written words, letter order matters, etc.

Genres of Literature - different types of books or stories defined by special characteristics

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row][oneHalf][/oneHalf][oneHalf]What Is Scarborough's Reading Rope?In 2001, Dr. Hollis Scarborough created the Reading Rope using pipe cleaners to convey how the different "strands" of reading are all interconnected yet independent of one another. For many students, learning to read is a challenge. Scarborough's Rope captures the complexity of learning to read.

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Are you required to teach a list of vocabulary words each week? Vocabulary words are a very important piece of teaching students to read. Learning and mastering essential vocabulary words can be achieved through vocabulary graphic organizers, vocabulary templates, no-prep vocabulary worksheets, vocabulary games, and a vocabulary display for your classroom wall!

Before we jump into the activities, if you prefer to see some of these activities in action, check out the video below!

Vocabulary Words of the Week in Journals

At the beginning of the week, we take two days to introduce all of our new vocabulary words for the week. When the words are introduced the teacher shows the word and a picture to match the word. The students take turns guessing what the word means. Finally the teacher reads the definition with the students. The students help the teacher determine an action that will represent the vocabulary word. This is a very important piece because research shows that when kinesthetics are included into learning, students are better able to retain the new information. All week this action is paired with the word whenever it is read or said. The students then write the word and definition onto their Words of the Week sheet and place it into the vocabulary journal for future reference.

Vocabulary Journals

Vocabulary journals should be a staple in every classroom. Vocabulary journals can take the form of a stapled packet, coil binded book, or hole punched binder. The purpose of a vocabulary journal is to have a place for students to keep all of their vocabulary practice and a place for them to look back and reference past vocabulary words. I love adding the vocabulary journals the parent teacher conference portfolios. I also love to have students bring their vocabulary journals back to the reading table during reading groups to reference or add information.

Free Editable Word Cards

Every week we put our new vocabulary words on cards. These cards are used all week for a variety of games and activities. At the end of the week, the students take the cards home to practice and keep. Download a free copy of the editable vocabulary cards here.

This post contains affiliate links for Amazon. By purchasing an item on the Amazon site using these links, I will receive a small commission on your purchase. For more information about my Disclosure Policy, please visit this link.

Vocabulary Headbandz

Vocabulary Headbandz is a fun game that students love. Simply print off your vocabulary words onto these free editable vocabulary cards. Each student attaches a vocabulary word card to their headband. The youngest participant takes the first turn. Then play passes to the left. When it's your turn, just flip over the timer and ask each of the players a question that will help you figure out what the picture is on your head. Once you've asked each player a question, simply begin another round and then another. If you guess the vocabulary word before the timer runs out, simply take another card and put it behind your headband. Continue to ask questions until the timer runs out. For each vocabulary word that is guessed correctly, you get a point. The player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.

Teacher Tip:
If you don't own the Headbandz game, the headbands could be made from sentence strips and binder clips.

Memory/Concentration

Memory (also known as Concentration) can be played two different ways. Students can have two stack of vocabulary words and take turns turning over two cards in an effort to get a match. Each time a card is turned, the student turning the card has to read the word aloud and use it in a sentence. If the student gets a match, he/she can keep the match and go again. If the student does not get a match, the next player takes a turn. Another variation of the game would be to have one copy of cards have the vocabulary words printed on them. The other set of cards has the definitions printed on them.

Vocabulary Display
Teacher Tip: Use two different colors of paper when printing the cards. Also, choose a dark color or make copies on card stock paper so the answers don't show through the back side of the card.
Vocabulary displays can be a powerful instructional tool. Complete the vocabulary posters with the students. Provide the students with their own vocabulary mini-posters to complete with the teacher. If you have more than one word per day, make multiple copies of each word and display them all. Leave this information up on the wall all week and at the end of the week, the expo marker can be wiped off with Lysol wipes or a Mr. Clean magic eraser.

Vocabulary Bingo

After the class has learned at least twenty-five different vocabulary words, bingo is a great option that students love to play that will provide a great opportunity to review. Students simply write a vocabulary word in each space of their bingo card. The teacher provides the definition of one of the words and the student finds the vocabulary word and covers it with a bingo chip. The first student to get 5 in a row, 4 corners, or black out wins the game.

Roll a Word

Students need a vocabulary word list or stack of word cards. This activity should be played with partners or small groups. Students take turns choosing a card/word. Then student rolls a dice and follows the prompt on the Roll a Word sheet. Other players determine if the answer is correct. Players take turns until the teacher decides that the time is up.

Vocab Short Stories

Writing stories is the ultimate determination of whether or not a student truly understands the meaning of his/her vocabulary words. The teacher writes the vocabulary words that he/she would like the students to use when writing their short stories before making copies. Students need to use all the vocabulary words in context all while forming a short story. This activity comes with templates for 8 words, 10 words, or 12 words as well as with or without space for drawing a picture to match the story.

Parts of Speech

Nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs are an important piece of students learning grammar so why not combine them with vocabulary word practice? Students read the words at the top of their sheet and then sort them into the proper grammar categories. This worksheet is available in 8 words, 10 words, or 12 words templates.

Draw a Word

Drawing detailed pictures of a word's meaning is another powerful tool to help students learn, understand, and retain a new vocabulary word. The teacher can choose the six words prior to making copies or the student can choose the six trickiest words.

Picture This

Give each student a vocabulary card with a number. Write the numbers from 1-25 (or however many students you have in your class). Once students get their card, instruct them not to show anyone their card. Provide the students some time to draw the vocabulary word with as many details as possible. The student needs to also include their card number in the corner of their drawing. Write the list of vocabulary words on the board and give each student a recording sheet. Students walk around the classroom and look at each picture. Then they write the vocabulary word answer in the correct box of their recording sheet. Another variation for teachers who want more structure would be to have students sit at their desk while students take turns coming to the front of the class one a a time to explain their picture to the class. Students who are sitting at their desks would need to determine the word that the picture is showing and write the answer on their recording sheet.

Act it Out

Act it Out is similar to Picture This except instead of drawings, the students would use actions. The actions are performed as a group or one at a time in front of the class for the others to guess the vocabulary word and write it on the recording sheet.

Vocabulary Word Mini Posters

Earlier in this post I explained vocabulary displays. When the teacher is completing the vocabulary posters with the students, the students can complete the mini posters and put them in the vocabulary journals. This is a great option to keep the students engaged and actively participating.

Vocabulary Dice

Vocabulary dice can be used with any list of vocabulary words. Give each student a list or stack of vocabulary words. Students can do this activity independently or with a partner. Once a word is chosen, the student rolls the dice and follows the prompt on the dice. Answers can be provided verbally or written on a piece of paper or marker board.

Vocabulary Sentences

Students choose five of the trickiest words from the vocabulary word list. Then the student writes a sentence that shows the meaning of the word in context within the sentence. Students can also color the vocabulary word within the sentence.

What's included in this 56-page vocabulary pack:

Vocabulary Journal

My 5-Day Vocabulary Routine

Words of the Week

Vocabulary Words Worksheet

Vocabulary Mini Posters

Roll a Word

Vocabulary Dice

Vocabulary Bingo

Vocabulary Short Stories

Draw a Word

Parts of Speech

Vocabulary Sentences

Act it Out

Picture This

Editable Word cards

Editable Grammar Flip Flaps

Vocabulary Posters with Display

Detailed Explanation with Pictures for each Activity

Click here to purchase the entire Vocabulary Pack resource.

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Are you required to teach a list of vocabulary words each week? Vocabulary words are a very important piece of teaching students to read. Learning and mastering essential vocabulary words can be achieved through vocabulary graphic organizers, vocabulary templates, no-prep vocabulary worksheets, vocabulary games, and a vocabulary display for your classroom wall!

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5 Examples of Universal Design for Learning in the Classroom | Reading Rockets

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Differentiated Instruction

Dig into this bountiful reading list as you plan your garden of differentiated instruction methods and strategies for the coming year.

Sir Ken Robinson made the analogy that " Teachers are like gardeners." Gardeners cannot make the plants grow, but they do prepare and nurture the conditions that enable plants to thrive. Robinson explains that great teachers do the same by providing the support necessary for each student to grow in his or her learning.

In Steve Jobs' 2005 commencement speech to Stanford graduates, he encouraged the value of exploring passions and interests, because you never know where they might lead. Jobs once took a calligraphy class, which years later inspired the many font options we have today (including the words you're reading now).

The time between the end of one school year and the beginning of the next is a season for reflection and renewal. It's important to celebrate student successes and recall challenging times when things just didn't go as planned. This season between school years is an opportunity to plan for new and modified instructional approaches to increase learner success. What follows are suggested readings and resources for developing and deepening your practice to meet the diverse needs of all learners. The readings are grouped from easy starts to deeper complex implementation. Like Steve Jobs, feel free to choose what captures your passion.

Preparing the Soil

All educators differentiate within the moments of instruction. Only when we step back can we make that invisible practice visible. Here are resources to build vocabulary for what occurs in instruction. Preplanning intentional differentiation is like preparing the soil -- learners, like plants, will thrive under conditions suited to their needs.

Plant Care: Watering and Fertilizing

Effective differentiation begins and ends with assessment for learning. Fair assessment that targets academic learning for all students can be challenging. A starting point to exploring the many voices on this topic begins with Assessment Through the Student's Eye by Rick Stiggins. The article provides the right conditions for growth to occur. Read Stiggins before choosing from the following material for strategies to weed out the obstacles that might be in the way:

Making Cuttings and Transplanting in New Soil

As with gardening, conditions that work for some students may do little for others. Sometimes we need opportunities to grow in new and different ways to find additional strategies for handling diverse situations. One approach is to explore familiar ideas from a different lens, such as Classroom Instruction That Works: Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement, 2nd Edition. These strategies provide a frame through which we can support and challenge all students toward growth. Using a variety of these frames leads to strategic differentiation of learning. Following is a list of other resources that inspire new and different thinking to explore how students can address and process learning concepts:

1. What concepts and strategies will make the learner experience even more supportive and inviting to students?

2. How can I shift from teacher-friendly structures to primarily learner-friendly structures?

Gardening Is Zen Time

Summer renewal is a chance to reflect on practice and deepen understanding to improve growth of the learner experience. As you follow your summer reading list, consider the following reflective questions:

The resulting answers might not be new ideas, but they can liberate you to explore deeply what we are most passionate about in education: students.

In the comments section below, share your reflections from the readings suggested here. You can also reach me via Twitter. I promise to join the dialogue about your thoughts and questions. As you prepare for the upcoming school year, may you have a rejuvenating time for planning (and planting) more powerful learning conditions.

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Summer Readings on Differentiation: 150+ Seedlings for Growing Stronger Learners

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Differentiated Instruction Dig into this bountiful reading list as you plan your garden of differentiated instruction methods and strategies for the coming year. Sir Ken Robinson made the analogy that " Teachers are like gardeners." Gardeners cannot make the plants grow, but they do prepare and nurture the conditions that enable plants to thrive.

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Written by: Jess Dalrymple

What's an engaging and effective way to ensure your students are practicing their phonics skills every day in class? Including a phonics center in your regular literacy center rotations!

Phonics centers are an awesome way to get kids practicing phonics concepts independently, and it's so easy to develop centers that are highly engaging.

Read on if you'd love some recommendations that will spice up your phonics centers. Bonus for you = this post includes TONS of ideas that will cut down on the time it takes you to prepare your centers!

1. Phonics Mats

Have you ever used learning mats with your students? If not, phonics mats are a great place to start! Basically, learning mats are one-pagers jam-packed with various prompts/ways for your students to practice a newly learned skill. This approach is so effective because when kids repeatedly apply a new skill in different ways, they are more likely to commit that new skill to long-term memory!

Here's a look at a Lucky Little Learners phonics mat for the /cl/ blend:

You can see that on just one mat, there are five tasks included to reinforce the concept:

1- Highlight all the /cl/ words in the reading passage

2- Reread the passage three times

3- List the /cl/ words from the passage in alphabetical order

4- Color pictures that feature the /cl/ sound

5- Draw an illustration to match the reading passage on the back of the mat

Some teachers print individual sheets for kids to complete (like in the picture above); others prefer to laminate the mats for repeated use. Also, many teachers assign the mats as google slides.

Click on one of the images below to learn more about the Lucky Little Learners 1st or 2nd-grade phonics mats:

Try a free sample of our Digital Phonics Passages!

2. Hands-On Phonics Games

Hands-on games and manipulatives are always a big hit at the phonics center! Here are some sure-to-please ideas:

Puzzles

Provide puzzle pieces with a mix of images and words. Ask your students to complete puzzles by matching the images and words that have the same phonics pattern.

Spin and Sort Cards

Spread phonics image cards out in front of the group facing up. Using card stock, a brad, and a paper clip, create a spinner with 3-4 known phonics skills that match the image cards. (i.e. you could create four sections on the spinner such as: "bl", "cl", "fl" & "lose a turn") On their turn, students spin and try to find cards with the matching phonics pattern. Finally, students write the word from the image card on a recording sheet. The student with the most words at the end of the game is the "winner".

Word Generation Challenge

Create spinners. Provide a recording sheet and challenge your students to come up with as many real words as they can based on the phonics pattern they land on when it's their turn.

Word Match & Build

The object of the game is to build the object with the correctly matching phonics cards.

1. Create outlines of an object you're studying on a poster or large sheet of paper. (i.e. snowman)

2. Label the outlines with the phonics pattern you want your students to practice. (i.e. /ake/)

3. Create phonics word and image cards that match the pattern in the outline (i.e. rake, stake, cake, snake) Create some that don't match too for an added challenge!

Sentence Search and Find

Gather or print detailed images and glue them to index cards. Ask students to search for all the words hidden in the images on the cards. Arrange the words to make a sentence and write on a piece of paper.

If you know your students would LOVE these phonics center ideas, but you don't want to spend your whole weekend creating all the pieces and parts, check out the Lucky Little Learners Ready to Go Phonics Centers Bundle!

All the games mentioned above (and dozens more) are included in our 2nd grade phonics centers bundle.
Ready-to-Go 2nd Grade Phonics Centers
Phonics Toothy

If we're talking about high engagement, hands-on games - we can't leave out one of our most popular products - Phonics Toothy!

How the Phonics Toothy game works:

(Printable) Each partner gets a Toothy mat and dry erase marker. Students take turns choosing a card, and each student will solve the problem on their Toothy mat or dry erase board. When each student has answered the question, they compare their answers and then turn the card over to check to see if their answer is correct. Those who have a correct answer get to draw a tooth in Toothy's mouth on their mat. If the student's answer is incorrect, they do not draw a tooth and those who got the answer correct must explain how they got to the correct answer. Then the next student draws the next card and the process is repeated. The game is over once all the cards have been answered. The student with the most teeth in Toothy's mouth is the winner of the game.

(Digital) For each phonics concept, your student will be asked a different question in google slides. When the correct answer is selected, the student gets to add a tooth to the character's mouth. Give the Phonics Toothy Task Cards a try with this free digital download! Click here to download Digital Phonics Task Cards.

3. Phonics Center Manipulatives & Tools

Don't forget to stock your phonics center with student-friendly phonics resources! Your students will be more successful when they have the reference tools they need at their fingertips.

Here are some phonics center resources to have on hand:

Phonics Spinners

Letter Formation Guides

Magnetic Letter Tiles

Phonics Sound Charts

Six Syllable Types Anchor Chart

Sound Boxes

You can find all of handy phonics resources mentioned above (and lots more!) inside the Lucky Little Toolkit.

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Engaging (and Easy to Prep) Phonics Center Activities

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Phonics center activities are a fun and effective way to include phonics practice in your daily schedule. Read this post if you'd love some recommendations that will spice up your phonics centers. Bonus = this post includes TONS of ideas that will cut down on the time it takes you to prepare your centers!

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Phonics Activities to use for 1st grade 

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Phonics Activities to use for 1st grade 

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A child with strong decoding skills uses this knowledge of sound-letter correspondence to read familiar and unfamiliar words, and begin to read with ease. Decoding relies on the rules of phonics, so first graders need to memorize words that don't follow those rules.

In first grade, your child becomes a more skillful decoder and can do these things:

Blend or break apart the individual sounds (phonemes) of most one-syllable words, like sip and bat

Read words with long vowel sounds (see, say, so)

Begin to sound out more complex words, including words with silent "e" at the end.

Decoding takes a lot of practice! You can help your child build phonics skills with some of the activities described here - and by offering lots of encouragement as your child gains confidence with this big step into becoming a reader.

Here are some basic tips on how to help your child build phonics skills:

Help your child learn the names of the letters and the sounds the letters make. Turn it into a game! "I'm thinking of a letter and it makes the sound mmmmmm."

That means to follow the words with your finger from left to right as you read them. Your beginning reader will do the same thing for awhile.

Beginning readers may read slowly. Give your child time to decode the words, and avoid jumping in too quickly.

If your child is stuck on a word, prompt them to look at the first letter of the word and make the letter's sound. Of course, only do this for words that can be sounded out! If the word can't be sounded out, just supply the word for them.

Try these phonics activities at home

Fridge fun

Magnetic letters can provide lots of easy phonics practice right in your kitchen. For an alphabet refresher, ask your child to arrange the letters in alphabetical order. Next, ask her to pick out a letter, think of a simple three- or four-letter word that starts with that letter, and spell it out on the refrigerator. Can your child think of more words to spell with that first letter? Finally, see if she can change one letter in the word to make a new word.

Scrambled words

Draw three boxes side by side on a piece of paper. Using magnetic letters or letters written on paper, scramble the letters of a simple three-letter word (big, bug, top, ran) under the boxes. Have your child unscramble the letters and place them into the correct box.

Extra, extra!

Ask your child to find and cut out all the words in a newspaper or magazine that she can read. Glue or tape them onto a piece of paper and practice reading them together.

The "H Brothers"

Explain to your child that sometimes two letters will stand together to create one new sound. The "H Brothers" join with other letters to make the sounds: sh, ch, th, wh and ph. Write down some example words and use multisensory props and gestures to help your child remember the new letter combination. Here's a fun idea for telling the story of the H Brothers to reinforce the concept.

Spelling lightning round

Talk or play games about letter sounds for a few minutes each day. While driving or cooking dinner, give your child a simple two-letter word and a three-letter word to spell. Choose words that are spelled like they sound (at, hot, pet, sip). Give a rousing cheer or high-five for words spelled correctly

Cereal box read aloud

Your breakfast table can offer some easy practice in sounding out words. Together look at the words on your child's cereal box, choose a simple word, and see if your child can sound out the letters as you point to each. Practice blending the sounds to make the word.

Grocery store literacy

Lots of grocery items come in different flavors. Ask your child to help you find a particular flavor by reading the labels. For example, can she find the low fat milk? The tuna fish packed in water? She'll be using her reading skills to find the right item. Put your child in charge of the grocery list. As you put items into the cart, say the word and ask your child to cross it off the list.

Blend it!

First graders will learn how to sound out the letter blends, such as tr, sw, st, sm, sl, pl, gr, fl, dr, cr, cl, br, and bl. This quick game gives your child a chance to practice those blends. Write out a single letter blend on index cards or the backs of used envelopes. Have your child say the sound of the blend and then ask her to name a common object that starts with that sound (you might have to help with this part). Repeat with a few more blends - it's a good idea to keep games like these short and fun. You can also turn this game into a scavenger hunt by asking your child to find the object in the house or outside.

Words in the wild

Words are everywhere! When you're out for a walk or shopping together, point out some simple signage, such as a STOP sign or a store sign that says "Pet Shop." Ask your child if they can sound out the words. Start with easy consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words like pet and then try words with letter blends, like stop and shop.

Listen, listen

Decoding is hard work! Try setting aside time each day to listen to your child read to you, and let him know how much you enjoy hearing him read and how proud you are. If your first grader has a preschool sibling, encourage him to read to his sister or brother (guaranteed to make you smile!).

Dig into decodable books

Through read alouds, kindergarteners should be exposed to a wide range of books that introduce them to rich vocabulary and story structure. But there is also a role for decodable books to help your child practice beginning phonics skills. Decodable books contain a high percentage of words with predictable letter-sound relationships. You'll find a comprehensive list of K-2 books here: Decodable Text Sources.

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Phonics and Decoding: Activities for Your First Grader

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The goal of phonics instruction is to help children learn the alphabetic principle - the idea that letters represent the sounds of spoken language - and that there is an organized, logical, and predictable relationship between written letters and spoken sounds.

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15 Engaging First Grade Reading Comprehension Activities

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Moving beyond decoding to understanding what they read.

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Recommended Resources

Peep and the Big Wide World: Bilingual Activities & STEM Curriculum

Public television producer WGBH has launched a bilingual website and preschool curriculum based on Peep and the Big Wide World, the Award-winning STEM series for 3-5 year olds following a newly hatched chicken named Peep and his friends Chirp and Quack (a robin and a duck) on their daily adventures. Each half-hour episode contains two stories which highlight specific science concepts, plus two live-action shorts presenting real kids playing and experimenting with these concepts in their own big wide worlds.

The accompanying site includes bilingual games, videos, apps, a 6-unit STEM curriculum, professional development video modules for early childhood educators, and science resources and activity ideas for families. The website is also available in Spanish.

This toolkit from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education provides resources that can be used to support young children who are learning their home languages and English. It is divided into three sections 1) administrators and managers; 2) teachers, caregivers, and family services staff; and 3) families

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Public television producer WGBH has launched a bilingual website and preschool curriculum based on Peep and the Big Wide World , the Award-winning STEM series for 3-5 year olds following a newly hatched chicken named Peep and his friends Chirp and Quack (a robin and a duck) on their daily adventures.