Phonics for Reading
Early literacy lays the critical groundwork for a child's future academic success, much like packing essentials for a hike prepares you for the journey. It encompasses foundational skills such as phonological awareness, knowledge of letters and print, early writing, rapid naming of letters and digits, word reading fluency, and spelling.
​
These skills begin to develop from a very young age and are akin to preparing a neural roadmap for reading. While informal activities like reading with family contribute to early literacy, explicit instruction in these skills is important for all children, especially in decoding and language comprehension.
​
Our curriculum is organized to systematically build and reinforce these foundational skills getting children ready for the journey of life. Our teaching methods are backed by research collected from cutting-edge reading science getting your child ready for confidently stepping into their educational world.
The Pillars of Reading Mastery
Reading is not just a skill, it's the gateway to all other learning. Our program is built on the Pillars of Reading Mastery, essential components that support and enhance every child's ability to read with understanding and joy.
Phonological Awareness
Phonological awareness is about playing with sounds in words, like finding rhymes and breaking words into smaller sound bits, which is crucial for learning to read. Children begin their reading journey by tuning into the sounds that make up speech.
​
With our help, they learn to recognize, differentiate, and manipulate these sounds, which is a foundational skill for linking letters to sounds in phonics. The alphabet comes alive as we guide children through fun, interactive exercises designed to make sense of sounds and syllables. We lay a solid phonemic foundation that's crucial for reading readiness and future spelling success.
Decoding & Encoding
Decoding is like being a language detective—it means figuring out how to say a written word and understanding what it means. Decoding is the process of translating print into spoken words to understand their meaning. Our curriculum emphasizes this skill, allowing children to read new words, understand the story, and enjoy reading independently.
​
Encoding is the opposite of decoding; it's when children learn how to take the sounds they hear and spell them out to write words. While decoding focuses on reading, encoding is about writing. Our program guides children in transforming their spoken words into written form, which not only aids in spelling but also nurtures their ability to communicate through writing.
Vocabulary Expansion
We introduce new words during storytime, helping kids grow their word bank in a fun and memorable way. Engaging stories are at the heart of vocabulary expansion in our program. By encountering new words in context, children learn to understand and use them naturally, enriching their language for all types of conversations.
​
This enrichment goes beyond mere word lists—it's about giving students the verbal tools to express themselves clearly and confidently in any setting, whether they're describing a science experiment or sharing a story. As kids talk about what they read, they get to use new words in their own way, making it easier for them to remember and use them again.
Beyond the Basics
Systematically Enhancing Comprehension and Analytical Skills
Diving into phonics is a journey of discovery for young readers, and our program maps out every step of this adventure. Beginning with the sounds that build our language, we unveil the intricate dance of letters and sounds across seven targeted subsections during instruction. Each stage is thoughtfully crafted to build confidence and competence, with children actively participating—never just observing—throughout the learning process.
-
Introduction to Sounds:
-
We start with an engaging introduction to new sounds, focusing on specific letters or combinations as suited to the student's current level.
-
-
Sound Practice:
-
Children practice these sounds by articulating a series of carefully selected words, with our supportive guidance encouraging them to use the new sounds independently.
-
-
Word and Picture Association:
-
Next, students read words that match their skill level and link them to corresponding images, cementing the connection between the word and its meaning.
-
-
Decoding Challenge:
-
As their skills progress, we present longer words, breaking them into smaller, decodable parts to simplify the reading process and build analytical skills.
-
-
Sentence Reading and Matching:
-
Reading becomes even more exciting as students tackle sentences from stories, enhancing understanding by matching pictures to the narrative they read.
-
-
Listening and Writing:
-
Listening to words spoken by the instructor, children then attempt to write them down, reinforcing their decoding and encoding abilities.
-
-
Word Modification:
-
Students demonstrate their grasp of phonics by changing letters in words to align with a given picture, a fun puzzle that challenges their understanding.
-
-
Sentence Completion:
-
Finally, they underline words within a sentence that best match a picture, integrating reading comprehension with their phonics knowledge.
-
Each stage of our phonics instruction is a building block, not only in reading but in the joyful expression of ideas and stories. We watch as students transform from learners to confident readers and writers, well-equipped for the literacy demands of their future academic and personal lives. This comprehensive, step-by-step approach ensures that every child can navigate the complexities of the English language with ease and enthusiasm.
Fluency for Freedom in Reading
Crafting Confident and Expressive Readers
Fluency is the key that unlocks the rhythm and meaning of text, allowing children to read with speed, accuracy, and expression. Our program equips young readers with the tools to transform words on a page into vivid stories and concepts in their minds.
01
Rhythm and Flow
We nurture reading fluency with a focus on rhythm, pacing, and expression. Our goal is for children to not just understand the words they read but to convey their meaning with confidence. This includes emphasis on intonation and clarity, making the reading experience enjoyable and engaging.
03
Isolated Word Practice
Children engage with individual words, dissecting and understanding their components, which strengthens their ability to recognize and recall these words quickly. This focus on isolated words not only aids in their immediate recognition but also solidifies the child's understanding of common and irregular orthographic patterns, forming a robust foundation for their future reading development.
02
Comprehension Connection
Our fluency exercises are designed with comprehension at their core. We ensure that as students gain speed and fluidity in their reading, they are also sharpening their understanding. This dual focus helps them grasp the subtleties of text and become more insightful readers.
04
Connected Texts Application
The journey from word recognition to reading fluency peaks as students apply their finely-tuned phonics knowledge to connected texts. This practice is crucial as it allows them to navigate through sentences and paragraphs, using their skills to decode words swiftly and comprehend the text. The ultimate goal is to enable students to not just read but to absorb and interact with the content meaningfully.
With each word they master, our students not only become more fluent readers but also unlock the joy and freedom found within the world of books. By the end of our program, students will have developed the fluency to approach reading with confidence and pleasure; allowing them to fully engage with the endless adventures and knowledge that reading provides, making reading a springboard for learning and imagination.
Comprehensive Learning Journey
Our program is designed with a clear understanding of how critical reading skills interconnect to form a strong literacy foundation. By focusing on high-frequency letter-sound associations and ensuring students learn in a structured, explicit manner, we provide the tools for children to unlock reading success.
​
Our program is designed with a clear understanding of how critical reading skills interconnect to form a strong literacy foundation. By focusing on high-frequency letter-sound associations and ensuring students learn in a structured, explicit manner, we provide the tools for children to unlock reading success.
​
Letter-Sound Mastery
The mastery of letter-sound associations is at the heart of our curriculum. We introduce high-frequency sounds with an explicit instructional approach to build a solid base for reading. This method models the sounds, allows for extensive practice with a variety of graphemes, and incorporates both distributive and cumulative practice. It's all about making sure children can identify 'real' words, enhancing their ability to decode systematically, and promoting a deeper understanding of language.
We incorporate multisensory learning methods that involve visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities, ensuring that children not only see and hear but also interact with letters and sounds. By appealing to a variety of senses, children are more likely to retain information and form strong associations between letters and sounds.
Tackling Complex Words
As children progress, they encounter more complex words which can be daunting. Our program equips students with systematic procedures to confidently decode multisyllabic words. By breaking down these words into manageable chunks, we empower children to read them without intimidation. We help students use affixes and vowels effectively, facilitating a seamless transition to intermediate reading levels where their vocabulary can flourish.
​
Mastering multisyllabic words is essential as it allows children to confidently approach complex texts that are crucial for advanced learning across all subjects. Our segmented approach to multisyllabic words helps children break down daunting words into manageable parts, promoting independent reading and fostering a love for tackling new challenges.
Effortless Recognition
Fluent reading requires the quick and automatic recognition of common words. Our curriculum introduces high-frequency, often irregular words, in a systematic fashion. We delve deeper into our spell-out method, which research has shown to be effective for quickly recognizing and remembering high-frequency words.
By grouping irregular high-frequency words by patterns, we're not just teaching memorization—we're teaching children to recognize and predict patterns in the English language, a skill that will aid them in all their future literacy endeavors. This method ensures that these essential words become second nature to our readers, paving the way for a smoother reading experience.
From Words to Wisdom
After building a foundation with decodable words and high-frequency vocabulary, our students dive into rich, engaging texts that reinforce their skills and expand their horizons. Reading is not just about pronouncing words correctly; it's about making meaning and connecting ideas. We guide children through this process, ensuring they not only can read the words but can also reflect on and discuss the content.
It's this transition from decoding to true reading comprehension that turns new readers into lifelong learners, poised to explore the vast world of literature and learning with confidence and curiosity. This holistic approach to reading ensures that as children become more fluent in decoding text, they're simultaneously developing the critical thinking skills necessary for deeper comprehension, which will be invaluable throughout their academic careers and beyond.
A Foundation for Future Success
We take pride in not just teaching academic skills but in developing resilient learners who can face future challenges with confidence. Our educators work diligently to instill self-reliance and critical thinking skills, providing a bedrock upon which children can build successful academic and personal futures.
​
Couple everything above with our perfectly symbiotic 'Secret Stories,' and phonics is no longer a routine drill but a thrilling journey through a land of hidden knowledge. Our unique approach entices children to uncover the mysteries of reading and writing, embedding fundamental skills through delightful discovery.
Your Peace of Mind
Addressing Your Concerns and Questions
