Why Use Decodable Reading Passages?
We know that students need explicit instruction in the essential components of reading including phonics, phonological awareness, comprehension, fluency and vocabulary. Decodable reading passages are a great way to teach phonics, fluency, and comprehension!
Decodable Passages:
- Provide systematic phonics instruction
- Are fun for students and easy to implement for teachers
- Provide quality text at a carefully controlled level
- Can be used in a variety of settings
How to use the decodable reading passages:
.png "Front cover of short u decodable book")
Introduce the Phonics Pattern
On the front cover students are introduced to, or review, a phonics sound. Students practice reading words with the pattern, picture clues are included for support. I like students to use a highlighter and highlight the target skill. The words will appear again in the reading passage.
Practice the New Phonics Skill
Next, students open the booklets. They apply their phonics skills to read words with the pattern along the left column. Encourage students to read the list at least three times to increase their fluency.
Read the Decodable Text
Now it is time to read the phonics-based reading passage! Students should be able to read the text independently. There may be a few high-frequency words that you need to introduce prior to reading. Have the students read the passage multiple times to work on fluency.
Search for Words within the Decodable Reading Passage
Next, students search through the passage and find all the words that fit the word pattern being taught. You can have children circle or highlight them. Then, they write them on the list at the bottom center of the page. You can see students are getting a TON of practice with the new phonics skill!!!
Reading Comprehension
After reading and finding the words, it is time for students to do some reading comprehension work! At this level, students complete a fill in the blank activity. Later in the year, students answer questions about the text. This is a great way to get students back into the text one more time!
Apply the New Phonics Learning
The back cover of the booklet provides a great opportunity for students to apply their new learning! Students write words that contain the learned phonics pattern. Children should be able to write the words without looking back in the passage. This page is a great way for you to assess your students understanding of the learned skill.
Learn More about the Decodable Readers
Currently, I have five sets of phonics-based reading passages: short vowels, consonant digraphs, silent e, r-controlled vowels, vowel teams, and diphthongs.
A bundle is also available with all of the sets. Any new sets I create, will also be added to it!
Want to try a decodable book? You can download a free sample.
Learn even more about phonics instruction with the post about using word sorts in your classroom.
