Learn skills for reading with the following ideas. These tips include some of my favorite free online resources.
Download the 10 Steps to Reading (pdf)
1. Learn letter names & sounds, and practice hearing and manipulating sounds; Phonemic awareness.
2. Sound out words with short vowels and CVC words (Consonant-Vowel-Consonant), practice with word families, then continue with consonant blends.
3. Learn phonics patterns in a sensible sequence as the student is ready. Try the phonics presentations at ReadingBear.org and watch fun videos that cover many phonics patterns with Kids vs Phonics from RedCatReading.
4. Practice patterns with picture and word sorts.
5. Play games that encourage literacy. Hands on games include traditional games like Boggle and Bananagrams, as well as many free printable games that can be found through links on specific phonics skills. Free online games are also available at this Symbaloo. Some online games require flash, which is no longer supported after 12/31/2020. Learn more at The End of Flash.
6. Read books to practice the patterns. The books from Progressive Phonics are free, fun, and practice the phonics patterns. They can be printed or read online.
7. Learn sight words. Many high frequency words are not decodable with phonics guidelines.
8. Encourage reading 20 minutes a day. Children who do this from Kindergarten through 6th grade score 90% better than their peers on tests. Check out more Benefits of reading.
9. Use your library. Attend storytimes, participate in summer reading programs, check out books & online resources. Choose fun books at the right level.
10. Read “Phonics from A to Z” by Wiley Blevins (online at issuu) and learn literacy terms.
Credits: Some artwork copyrighted by Mark A Hicks, illustrator, www.MARKiX.net. Used with permission. Sources for other graphics at Pinterest. Pattern charts from boostforreaders
Learn more at Reading Basics from ReadingRockets.org. They have a Get Ready to Read screening tool too.
Phonics Pow 