Decodable texts are necessary for strong reading instruction in all grades, but particularly in kindergarten and first. Students in these grades are still breaking the reading code, so it’s important for them to have texts they can easily decode using the letter sound knowledge they’ve developed so far. Here is how you can use decodable partner plays to help your students develop fluency on their level.
What makes a text decodable?
I’m sure if you’re a teacher, you’ve heard a lot recently about the science of reading, structured literacy, and the term decodable. But, what exactly does decodable mean? Simply put, a decodable text is a text that a child can read using the phonemes (letter sound patterns) that they have learned. As students learn more and more letter sounds and high frequency word patterns, more and more texts are decodable.
For example, a kindergartener who has learned satpin letter sounds can decode words like: sat, pat, and in. They could decode a sentences such as: Pat sat in it. A first grade student who has learned the silent e spelling pattern and has an understanding of short vowel sounds and all regular consonant sounds could decode words like: must, can, bike, and flip. They could decode a sentence such as: “Mike rides a pink bike.”
A common misconception is that sight words, or high frequency words, are not decodable. However, that’s not the case. Read more about that here. As children grow in their understanding of phonemes, more and more words are decodable until (hopefully) they understand English language to a point where every word can be decoded.
When I speak about decodable partner plays, specifically I mean texts that contain only certain sounds and are grouped in a progressive, logical order from less to more complete. These texts allow students to use their current letter sound knowledge to feel successful.
What is a partner play?
A partner play is exactly what it sounds like. It is a play script for two students so they can work in pairs. Preferably the scripts will be long enough to fully practice the skill, but short enough to not feel overwhelming. My decodable partner plays are two pages long. I find this is the perfect length for kindergarten and first grade students.
Why are partner plays so beneficial for reading fluency?
Partner plays are a fantastic way to practice and develop reading fluency for a number of reasons.
First, the pressure is off when they aren’t reading on their own. Reading using a decodable partner play gives students the ability to take turns in a natural way. Students also really enjoy reading with a friend so it feels less like work and more like fun!
Second, plays lend themselves to expression! I’ve found that students who tend to read with very little expression are much more enthusiastic using a play because they realize they should “act it out” with their voice. I also find the more expressive one partner is, the more the other partner matches their rate, expression, and tone.
Third, using a decodable partner play that matches the sounds your students currently know removes a lot of obstacles. Many partner plays are cute and fun, but unfortunately might have words that your students aren’t ready to decode. This means their fluency will suffer and they might become frustrated. Instead, using decodable partner plays removes that barrier and allows them to focus on fluency.
And fourth, partner plays work really well for you, as the teacher, to work with a student one on one. I love to take 5 minutes to do a partner play with a student. I can listen to their reading in a no pressure environment because they feel like we’re just having fun doing the play together. In fact, they are excited to read and pretend with me! I like to ham it up, and then they tend to ham it up as well. It’s a great confidence boost.
And, of course, they’re fun! Children naturally love to pretend which helps them bring out their dramatic side. This leads to excellent reading fluency when they’re used over and over. You will be pleasantly surprised with how students will choose partner plays again and again.
How do I use decodable partner plays?
Decodable texts should be a staple at your small group table. Adding in partner plays is a great small group activity as well. You can have two students work together while you coach them, you can use them one on one with a student, or you can even have 4 students, each working with a partner, while you coach them. When they’re ready, they can take turns performing for the other group.
Partner plays are also an excellent option for read to someone. Students love that they’re different than just reading a book, and you can change the available plays to choose from as the year goes on.
Lastly, if you’re required to send homework, decodable partner plays are a great option. You can send them home and encourage students to practice with a guardian or sibling.
Where can I find decodable texts for partner plays?
I’m so glad you asked! Of course, you can take the time to make your own, but thankfully, you don’t have to! I’ve spent time creating a variety of engaging decodable partner plays for kindergarten and first grade students.
Each play includes a “Get Ready to Read” page that includes the title of the play, the skill focus, the character, and the setting. It also includes a list of all skill focused words and other words included in the story. Lastly, it includes a “words to know” section that includes 3 words in the story that might be unfamiliar. A picture cue is provided as well so you can discuss the meaning with students before they begin to read.
Each play script is two pages long. This allows you to print them back to back if you wish. Have students highlight their parts to make reading easier. The characters in most plays are not gendered so any student can play each role.
Each play includes an optional headband template for students to use. I’ve included both color and black and white headband pieces. You can have students color the black and white version or just use the color version. Simple print out the page, cut out the pieces, and tape or staple them to a strip of construction paper or a sentence strip.
Two versions are included for easy printing. The original version includes each play script followed by the black and white and colored headbands. The second version has all of the play scripts first, followed by the black and white headbands, followed by the colored headbands. This makes for easy printing choices for you!
Want to try some for free? Visit my free resource library for email subscribers to grab 2 decodable partner plays to try! Just click the picture below.
Keep reading and learning:
What I Do Instead of Guided Reading
5 Simple Ways to Help Reluctant Readers Enjoy Reading
How to Teach Narrative Writing Step by Step in K and 1st
