by Jan and Kari | Jun 16, 2023 | Blog, High-Frequency Words, Phonics, Prompting & Feedback, Word Reading Instruction
It is summer! Perhaps you are traveling somewhere. While you probably rely on the little person inside your phone to tell you which way to go, we want you to think about how you navigate using a paper map–you know, like in the old days! In preparation for an...
by Jan and Kari | May 18, 2023 | Blog, High-Frequency Words, Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Word Reading Instruction
As more and more schools are making shifts to more brain-friendly practices, many have embraced the idea of marking certain parts of a high-frequency word with a heart, a star, or a surprise face. Chances are you have, too! And whatever the symbol you use, your...
by Jan and Kari | Apr 28, 2023 | Blog, Decodable Texts, Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Prompting & Feedback, Word Reading Instruction
We love it when educators ask for something to simplify their busy lives, and we can find a way to make it happen! Since our Fall 2022 blog series highlighting our structured (but flexible) Phonics Lesson Template, we’ve had a number of people ask if we could offer an...
by Jan and Kari | Apr 14, 2023 | Blog, Decodable Texts, Literacy Leadership, Phonics, Prompting & Feedback, Word Reading Instruction
In this Decodable Text Series, we’ve been exploring questions about the place, the purpose, and the practicality of using decodable texts with beginning readers. You can catch up here if you’ve missed our previous posts. Today’s question: What are some other...
by Jan and Kari | Apr 7, 2023 | Blog, Decodable Texts, Phonics, Word Reading Instruction
Tax-free. Gluten-free. Free sample. Free time. Free shipping. Free parking. Who doesn’t love a freebie? We know we do! And, if you love free stuff, then Part 5 of our “Decodable Texts: Question and Answer Series” is for you! Here we begin to...
by Jan and Kari | Jan 27, 2023 | Blog, Decodable Texts, Fluency, High-Frequency Words, Knowledge Building, Language Comprehension, Literacy Leadership, Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Prompting & Feedback, Strategy Instruction, Vocabulary, Word Reading Instruction
Last week, we shared 5 adjustments that can help you bring small-group instruction for early decoders more in line with your other shifts to early literacy instruction. If you missed it, you can find that post here. We hope that you have taken some time this week to...
by Jan and Kari | Jan 20, 2023 | Blog, Decodable Texts, Fluency, High-Frequency Words, Knowledge Building, Language Comprehension, Literacy Leadership, Meaningful Independent Practices, Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Prompting & Feedback, Strategy Instruction, Vocabulary, Word Reading Instruction
What about small-group instruction? What changes in light of new learning? What stays the same? If you’re like many of the educators we work with, questions like these are top of mind as you consider shifts to more brain-friendly literacy instruction for early...
by Jan and Kari | Nov 15, 2022 | Blog, Phonics, Word Reading Instruction
Have you ever set out to make a big purchase like a washing machine (TV, car, computer), only to discover that you don’t know enough about the two options to make an informed decision? Chances are you’ve been there. You’ve been standing on the sales floor of...
by Jan and Kari | Nov 11, 2022 | Blog, Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Word Reading Instruction
After our last blog series exploring each component of our Explicit Phonics Lesson Template, we knew we had to revisit one component in particular: Explicit Skill Practice. In our initial post about this lesson component, we looked at the focused skill practice from...
by Jan and Kari | Oct 18, 2022 | Blog, Decodable Texts, Fluency, High-Frequency Words, Language Comprehension, Phonics, Word Reading Instruction
Today’s post introduces the final component of our Explicit Phonics Lesson Template. Your readers have made it to the finish line. They’re ready to read connected text! Having navigated the previous components of the template, you’ve provided a supportive base for...
