How to Plan a Comprehension Lesson

Need help planning Comprehension Strategy Instruction Lessons?  We have taken the time to walk through the thinking of how to plan a lesson in this video.  We want to help make strategy instruction easier and hope this does the trick!

Getting Started with Progress Monitoring

In order to get the benefits progress monitoring can give you, you have to get started!  In this video we show you how to use, track, and love your progress monitoring data.  Once you get started you will love the information progress monitoring can provide you about how your interventions and instruction are going.  You will look forward to the next time you get to do your progress monitoring!
Enjoy the video!

RTI/MTSS Video

How to Use Progress Monitoring Video

Progress Monitoring Printable Resources

How to use and love Progress Monitoring (ORF)

Progress Monitoring, Know it! Use it! Love it!  Understanding what progress monitoring can do for you will change your attitude from, "I have to do progress monitoring", to " I love to do progress monitoring and can't live without it"!  We want to get you hooked on Progress Monitoring because it is one thing that can help you know how your instruction and interventions are going.  Watch this video to learn and get hooked!

How to Save Time Planning Reading Instruction

Teachers never have enough time!  One of our biggest goals is for you to get more time out of your day. We have a great tool here to help you use your Reading Program and save time when you plan your instruction for all the reading components!
Enjoy the video!

FREE Planning Template 

Sight words: What and Why

Let us clear up the confusion between "sight words", "high frequency words", and "irregular words".  We will make this clear and you will be on your way to choosing the right words to teach from great lists (like the Zeno 107) and from texts your students will be reading.

NEED Sight Word TEACHING RESOURCES? These might help!

Literacy Grouping Quick Steps

Do you struggle getting your kids into groups for small group instruction? We are going to help you out with that! We will walk you through literacy grouping quick steps. These six steps will help you know how to group and what to teach in Tier I vs Tier 2/Tier 3 instruction!

 

FREE DOWNLOAD of the 6 steps of literacy grouping document.

Phonemic Awareness: What it is and Why do we teach it?

Phonemic Awareness, Phonological Awareness, Oh My!  We discuss the ins and outs of both phonological awareness and phonemic awareness and why they are so critical. Young children need to gain these foundational skills of literacy early on. This video will help make sure we are all teaching kids correctly to give them their best shot at gaining strong literacy skills for future reading success!

How to Teach Closed and Open Syllables!

Maybe you struggle teaching open and closed syllables. Or maybe you just need a simpler way to teach closed and open syllables. Today we share with you how to teach this important reading skill to give readers the tools to be a great reader! Like and share this video on social media or save this video to your "watch later" option on YouTube so you can go back to refer to the video when needed. Enjoy!

If you missed our video about WHAT the Sound-Spelling patterns are and

WHY we teach them, check out this video...

Breaking the English language into the most common spelling patterns is an effective way to teach the connection of the sounds and the spellings to children while learning to read.  This relationship between the sounds and the spellings of language is also called decoding.  Decoding our language is critical to being an adept reader.  Breaking the English language into the most common spelling patterns and teaching them explicitly in a clear scope and sequence is recommended.  You can follow our pattern or break this up to follow your Core Reading Program's scope and sequence.

In our Sound-Spelling Posters and Reference Sheets, we include the spelling patterns:

short vowels in cvc  consonants and blends  soft c and g  silent and double consonants  schwa  digraphs and trigraph  r-controlled vowels  long vowels: final silent e (vce)  long vowels: vowel teams  other long vowels  closed syllables  open syllables  variant vowels consonant-le

Sound-Spelling Patterns 

Sound-Spelling Posters and Reference Sheets
Reading A to Z Phonics Lessons Bundle

How to Teach Other Long Vowels

"When a vowel team goes a walking, the first one does the talking," is not always the case. There are other vowel long vowel spellings that go against that chant. We show you how to explicitly introduce or reteach these "other long vowel" spelling. Check it out!

If you missed our video about WHAT the Sound-Spelling patterns are and

WHY we teach them, check out this video...

Breaking the English language into the most common spelling patterns is an effective way to teach the connection of the sounds and the spellings to children while learning to read.  This relationship between the sounds and the spellings of language is also called decoding.  Decoding our language is critical to being an adept reader.  Breaking the English language into the most common spelling patterns and teaching them explicitly in a clear scope and sequence is recommended.  You can follow our pattern or break this up to follow your Core Reading Program's scope and sequence.

In our Sound-Spelling Posters and Reference Sheets, we include the spelling patterns:

short vowels in cvc  consonants and blends  soft c and g  silent and double consonants  schwa  digraphs and trigraph  r-controlled vowels  long vowels: final silent e (vce)  long vowels: vowel teams  other long vowels  closed syllables  open syllables  variant vowels consonant-le

Sound-Spelling Patterns 

Sound-Spelling Posters and Reference Sheets
Reading A to Z Phonics Lessons Bundle

How to Teach Long Vowels: Vowel Teams

Long Vowels: Vowel Teams can also help with eliminating spelling patterns with that "r" spelling. Watch the video to find out how!

If you missed our video about WHAT the Sound-Spelling patterns are and

WHY we teach them, check out this video...

Breaking the English language into the most common spelling patterns is an effective way to teach the connection of the sounds and the spellings to children while learning to read.  This relationship between the sounds and the spellings of language is also called decoding.  Decoding our language is critical to being an adept reader.  Breaking the English language into the most common spelling patterns and teaching them explicitly in a clear scope and sequence is recommended.  You can follow our pattern or break this up to follow your Core Reading Program's scope and sequence.

In our Sound-Spelling Posters and Reference Sheets, we include the spelling patterns:

short vowels in cvc  consonants and blends  soft c and g  silent and double consonants  schwa  digraphs and trigraph  r-controlled vowels  long vowels: final silent e (vce)  long vowels: vowel teams  other long vowels  closed syllables  open syllables  variant vowels consonant-le

Sound-Spelling Patterns 

Sound-Spelling Posters and Reference Sheets
Reading A to Z Phonics Lessons Bundle

How to Plan a Multisyllabic Word Phonics Lesson

Welcome to this week's Thursday video! In this video we go through the thinking process of how to plan a multisyllabic word reading phonics lesson so you can write them with any text your mid 2 to upper grade students will be reading. We walk you through the thinking of choosing the words to use when you prepare for multisyllabic word reading strategy instruction lessons.

Remember, these lessons could be used for a variety of text reading purposes to support their reading. For example: prior to reading a main selection, prior to math problems, prior to social studies learning, prior to science... the list goes on and on!

VIDEO What & Why of Multisyllabic Word Reading Instruction
VIDEO How to Teach Multisyllabic Word Reading Strategy
VIDEOS Sound-Spelling Videos
Let's Read Multisyllabic Words resource
Free weekly planning guide
Phonics Lessons and Decodable Text
Digital Phonics Lessons
Other Phonics Videos (YouTube playlist - we have other multisyllabic word reading videos!)

How to Plan a Phonics Lesson for K,1, or 2

Did you know we post two videos a week?! Every TUESDAY and THURSDAY!

The videos this week will be all about PLANNING! Today's video is about planning a phonics lesson for K,1,2. Thursday's video will be all about planning a multisyllabic word reading strategy phonics lesson for mid 2 - 6. Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don't miss any video. Be the first to view the video by checking your subscriptions on the YouTube app or on your computer. Share these videos with your team and school - let's help each other teach our kids how to read!

In this video we go through the step-by-step process of how to plan a phonics lesson so you can write them with any decodable text. We walk you through the thinking of choosing the words to use when you write an effective phonics lesson using our free sample of a cvc text we have written.

Free text sample of a CVC lesson 
Free lesson card for you to do your own planning
Free weekly planning guide
Phonics Lessons and Decodable Text
Digital Phonics Lessons
Other Phonics Videos

How to Teach Phonics to K, 1, 2

We are always asked to model phonics lessons, so here you go!  In this video we teach a mixed vowel CVC phonics lesson using one of our explicit lessons (see links below).  We take you through the steps of the lesson and provide you with some of the thinking and prompts along the way.  Enjoy this teaching demonstration by Angie and Whitney!

Download our Phonics Resources:
FREE Mixed Vowel CVC Text and Lesson
FREE Phonics Lesson Card
Sound-Spelling Patterns
Digital Phonics with Decodable Text and Lessons! 
Decodable Texts and Lessons


If you missed our How to Plan a Week of Phonics, check out this video and previous post here...

3 Ways to Get Kids Quiet

As the school year gets started, we thought a quick reminder of 3 ways to get kids quiet might be helpful, especially to new teachers.  Enjoy and have a great start to your school year!

How to Teach Silent and Double Consonants!

Watch our YouTube video to see our tips and trick of teaching silent and double consonants! You'll want to watch clear to the end... Angie shares her favorite way to teach students how to read words. You don't want to miss the blending strategy!

If you missed our video about WHAT are the Sound-Spelling patterns and WHY we teach them, check out the video.

Breaking the English language into the most common spelling patterns is an effective way to teach the connection of the sounds and the spellings to children while learning to read.  This relationship between the sounds and the spellings of language is also called decoding.  Decoding our language is critical to being an adept reader.  Breaking the English language into the most common spelling patterns and teaching them explicitly in a clear scope and sequence is recommended.  You can follow our pattern or break this up to follow your Core Reading Program's scope and sequence.

In our Sound-Spelling Posters and Reference Sheets, we include the spelling patterns:

short vowels in cvc  consonants and blends  soft c and g  silent and double consonants  schwa  digraphs and trigraph  r-controlled vowels  long vowels: final silent e (vce)  long vowels: vowel teams  other long vowels  closed syllables  open syllables  variant vowels consonant-le

Sound-Spelling Patterns 

Sound-Spelling Posters and Reference Sheets
Reading A to Z Phonics Lessons Bundle

5 Tips for New Teachers!

As our new school year approaches for many teachers, we thought we'd share a video of some tips that we feel are important for all teachers, but especially new teachers.

5 Tips for New Teachers

#1 HP Instant Ink Printer (Get a FREE month with this code: try.hpinstantink.com/jQ9GQ)

#2 Ask for things before you buy them

#3 Plan for your week - not day by day (FREE Planning Guide HERE!) 

#4 Procedures - plan and teach them well

#5 Love your students

How to Teach Soft C and G!

We have some awesome BLENDING TIPS for you in our Soft C and G video today!

If you missed our video about WHAT are the Sound-Spelling patterns and WHY we teach them, check out the video.

Breaking the English language into the most common spelling patterns is an effective way to teach the connection of the sounds and the spellings to children while learning to read.  This relationship between the sounds and the spellings of language is also called decoding.  Decoding our language is critical to being an adept reader.  Breaking the English language into the most common spelling patterns and teaching them explicitly in a clear scope and sequence is recommended.  You can follow our pattern or break this up to follow your Core Reading Program's scope and sequence.

In our Sound-Spelling Posters and Reference Sheets, we include the spelling patterns:

short vowels in cvc  consonants and blends  soft c and g  silent and double consonants  schwa  digraphs and trigraph  r-controlled vowels  long vowels: final silent e (vce)  long vowels: vowel teams  other long vowels  closed syllables  open syllables  variant vowels consonant-le

Sound-Spelling Patterns 

Sound-Spelling Posters and Reference Sheets
Reading A to Z Phonics Lessons Bundle

How to Plan a Week of Phonics Instruction

In today's video we walk you through how we plan a week of phonics instruction.  We discuss how to work with your program to follow the spelling patterns so you align to the assessments while providing effective, research-based phonics instruction.

Some Phonics FREEBIES for you!

Weekly Planning Template

Binder Labels for Phonics Lessons

Mixed Vowel CVC Lesson

Phonics Lesson Card

Sample of our Digital Phonics Lessons

What is Phonics and Why do we Teach It?

Hopefully today's video revive you for effectively teaching phonics in your classroom. We go through a few of the most common questions of phonics. This video will remind you of the importance of teaching explicit phonics instruction everyday - in every grade! Enjoy!

How to Teach Short Vowel CVC

Today's Video is all about how to effectively teach short vowels CVC!

If you missed our video about WHAT are the Sound-Spelling patterns and WHY we teach them, check out the video.

Breaking the English language into the most common spelling patterns is an effective way to teach the connection of the sounds and the spellings to children while learning to read.  This relationship between the sounds and the spellings of language is also called decoding.  Decoding our language is critical to being an adept reader.  Breaking the English language into the most common spelling patterns and teaching them explicitly in a clear scope and sequence is recommended.  You can follow our pattern or break this up to follow your Core Reading Program's scope and sequence.

In our Sound-Spelling Posters and Reference Sheets, we include the spelling patterns:

short vowels in cvc  consonants and blends  soft c and g  silent and double consonants  schwa  digraphs and trigraph  r-controlled vowels  long vowels: final silent e (vce)  long vowels: vowel teams  other long vowels  closed syllables  open syllables  variant vowels consonant-le

Sound-Spelling Patterns 

Sound-Spelling Posters and Reference Sheets
Reading A to Z Phonics Lessons Bundle