1. Phoneme Blending: Teachers, have students to blend simple CVC words by giving the sounds. Explain that these sounds form a word. For example, /p/ /a/ /t/ is pat.

2. Phoneme Segmentation: Teachers, ask students to break the given CVC word into its separate sounds. For example, mat is /m/ /a/ /t/.

Differentiated Instruction: For those students who have exceptionalities, these student can use picture cards to help them identify the given CVC words.

Parent At-Home Activity Phoneme (letter) Game: Parents, here's a simple game that you can play at home with your little ones! It's a simple phoneme (letter) games called "I spy something that starts with..." you can pick any letter of the alphabet and give the your little one the sound. They are suppose to tell you the letter's name. You would say: " I Spy something that starts with /a/. The correct response would be to give the letter name a. This will help students learn there letter sound and name.

Website To Assist: Starfall: This website has a variety of phonemic awareness games and activities.

1. Letter-Sound Matching: Students match letters with their corresponding sounds.

2. Decoding Practice: Students practice decoding words using phonics rules.

Differentiated Instruction: Students with exceptionalities can use picture cards as well as a limited number of how many letters sounds they will receive. They can also receive verbal ques and hand gestures.

Parent At-Home Activity Flashcards: Parents, nothing beats the use of simple alphabet flashcards. You can use these to help your child practice letter sound relationships. This will help understand that letters have names and sounds

Website To Assist: Raz-Kids: Headsprout

Headsprout is an adaptive online reading program. The program is individualized for each student based on their responses. It provides instant feedback, assesses mastery, and generates reports. All of this is happening while students play online interactive learning games!

1. Word Walls: Create a word wall in the classroom to help students learn new vocabulary words.

2. Vocabulary Games: Play games like "Word Bingo" to reinforce vocabulary learning within the classroom.

Differentiated Instruction: Students with exceptionalities can use picture cards as well as a limited number of words they are required to know. The teacher may choose to give these student words on a different grade level.

Parent At-Home Activity Reading Together: Parents can read with their children and discuss new words. This can help broaden students vocabulary by exposing them to different word usage.

Website To Assist: Vocabulary.com: This website offers vocabulary learning games and activities.

1. Choral Reading: Students read a text together to practice fluency.

2. Reader's Theater: Students perform a play to practice reading with expression.

Differentiated Instruction: Students with exceptionalities can be given reading passage on their reading level. The passages can also be shorten for these students.

Parent At-Home Activity Timed Reading: Parents can time their children as they read a passage to practice speed and accuracy. This can help to build students confidence helping them to become a better reader.

Website To Assist: Read Naturally: This website offers resources to improve reading fluency. Also, Reading Rockets: It is a national public media literacy initiative. It offers free, research-based information and resources for parents.  

1. Questioning: Ask students questions about the text to check their understanding.

2. Story Mapping: Students create a visual representation of the story elements.

Differentiated Instruction: Students with exceptionalities can be asked questions to aid them in comprehension. Who, What, How, and When questions can be asked as an aid.

Parent At-Home Activity Discussion: Parents can discuss the story with their children after reading. This also helps students gain confidence. Ultimately, helping them to become fluent and understand what they are reading.

Website To Assist: Into the Book: This website provides strategies to improve reading comprehension.

Remember to differentiate these activities for students with exceptionalities by providing additional support, modifying the activities, or using assistive technology.