Phonics

Phonics, Reading

How to Teach Open Syllables in a First Grade Classroom

Teaching open syllables to your students can help them decode and write a large number of words. Single syllable open syllable words are some of the most common words used in the English language which means they are very important to teach young students. Here is how you can teach open syllables to your first grade, second grade, or kindergarten…

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Phonics

Why It’s Important to Review Single Letters in the Beginning of First Grade

Your first grade students hopefully are coming from kindergarten with a solid alphabet letter sound and letter formation knowledge. However, a whole summer has passed, and that’s just always the case. That’s why it’s important to review the alphabet at the beginning of first grade. Here is how and why you should take the time to review letter names, letter…

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Phonics, Reading

How Using Partner Plays with Decodable Text Develops Fluency (and Fun!)

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…

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Phonics, Reading

Free R Controlled Vowel Word Lists for Teachers

R controlled vowels are in many common words that first and second grade students need to be able to read. R controlled vowels are vowels immediately followed by an r. The vowel sound changes and is influenced, or controlled, by the r. Understanding how r controlled words and syllables work is very important for students learning to read. However, sometimes…

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Phonics

Fun Word Practice: Print and Go Mystery Word Activities

Practicing words in your classroom doesn’t have to be boring. Fast, easy, and fun word practice for ANY words is right at your fingertips with Mystery Word Generators for Google Slides! Here’s a peek into how they work. How Do Mystery Word Activities Work? The editable mystery word generators for Google Sheets automatically creates a printable practice activity in seconds. Simply type your words…

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