Introducing Phonics by Design

I've been working all summer to put together my very own phonics program called

Phonics By Design

! I'm focusing on explicit, well-paced phonics instruction with plain & simple images and fonts. I've decided to offer each week of instruction as a "mini-unit" for teachers that are looking for a specific phonics element. Teachers who are looking for 3 to 6 weeks of instruction, perhaps for a certain RTI or guided reading group, can save 20-25% by purchasing a full unit. If you anticipate using this program for the whole year, you can save over 50% by buying into my

Phonics By Design Growing Bundle

right now! The price will go up as I finish the final three units, so buy now if you're interested. I know the bigger bundles are an investment, so I wanted to take you through a few aspects of the program step-by-step:

Direction Instruction

Each pack contains everything you need to explicitly teach the specific phonics concept. Each week, you'll introduce the new concept using pocket chart picture & word cards. After you model, you will lead the students through guided practice, and then they'll have a chance to try reading the new word type in context with fluency sentences. The fluency sentences are differentiated using visual cues and tracking dots for the earlier units. On the second day of instruction, you'll model how to sound out and spell the new words, and then students will have a chance to practice writing words and sentences from dictation. The dictation sheets are the same from week to week, so you can easily make copies in advance and keep them in student binders if you wish. 

Independent Practice

Each mini unit comes with a minimum of 8 independent practice pages. The practice pages start with a color-trace-write page with all the target words, which students can use as a reference if needed. This allows all students to complete these pages without teacher help, encouraging independence and allowing you to work with other groups if needed.

Matching Game

Each pack also includes a matching game! I find that students are most motivated to try to read challenging words in a game setting. Once you have taught the game once, students will be able to play it without any additional instructional each week. These matching games are also great for review, fast finishers, or to send home for family involvement!

Quiz & Flapbook

You'll wrap up each mini-unit with a simple quiz. Students spell 10 of the target words from dictation. Afterwards, you'll have each student read the words to you 1:1 to ensure they can both read and write the words. While you assess students 1:1, the other students will complete a sorting flapbook. These flapbooks can be printed on colored paper, or on white paper so the students can color them.

Posters

Each pack also  includes at least one poster pertaining to the specific phonics element being taught. If you purchase the

Growing Bundle

, you'll get a full set of phonics posters to hang in your classroom or use as anchor charts! You can also buy the posters

separately

if you would prefer. 

While each mini-unit outlines exactly how to use each resource, you can also pick and choose which aspects of the program work for you! Maybe you prefer the practice pages to be homework, or maybe you decide to use the pocket chart cards as a center. One of the things I love about this program is that everything is crisp, clean, and multipurpose! Nothing is seasonal, so the pieces can be used again and again. I personally use these units in my K-3 special education classroom, but they would also be well suited to a general education 1st grade classroom or RTI groups K-3.