Years ago I was sitting in an IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) meeting and we were discussing how nice it would be to have a specific skill set to work on with students once we knew what they needed. There was a discussion of a pre- and post-test, and intervention activities with lots of practice. Specifically, we needed it for teaching phonics skills.
Since we didn’t have a phonics lesson unit, I decided to create one for my grade level. I started with the short vowels since that is where our first-grade team always began. Then, I worked my way through the other phonemes. At first, we used these phonics lessons only as interventions but then we realized how beneficial they were for whole group instruction.
Fast forward to now with the Science of Reading as the main focus in classrooms and I couldn’t be more proud to say that these phonics lesson plans fit right in with this framework. There were a few gaps and units I wanted to add so I have been working through those to make my Phonics Unit complete.
Planning for Phonics Lessons
Here is how I’ve organized my phonics lessons to make them easily accessible. First, I like to store each phoneme skill set in a binder.
Inside, I put all the printables in a folder. I have a zipper sleeve for the laminated puzzles and cards. I store the phoneme posters in the front pocket and the bingo game in the back pocket. The craft gets its own folder in the back. In the front, I put the directions/plans in clear sleeves.
Activities for Teaching Phonics
Each week, we focused on a specific skill in my room for whole group. I displayed the focus poster at the front of the room. Then I made 5 bins of the interactive activities. I used these for morning bins. I always had 5 table groups so they would rotate bins each day. Here’s a peek at what went in each bin. The consistency of these bins was so beneficial for my students. They never had to learn a new direction; they knew exactly what to do after the first week. Their focus became learning the new skill.
Weekly Phonics Craft and Decoding Booklet
We make a phonics craft and staple the words to the rectangle to become a craft booklet. Students store the craft in their own zip-lock baggy for the year. If they finish early, they can read previous booklets during this time.
Phonics Bingo
Each phonics unit includes a fun phonics Bingo board game they can play with their classmates.
Phonics Puzzles, Flash Cards, & Sorting Cards
The phonics puzzles come in color or black and white. The students work on decoding the word and match it to the picture. The flashcards are put on a ring to practice decoding. I have included an additional set of word cards that are centered. Students can use the cards to play memory or sort them into the word patterns.
Scoot
Each set comes with a Scoot center activity in both color or black and white. You could put these around the room or keep them in one place. Students look at the picture, say the word, and write the word in the box.
Real or Nonsense Word Sort
Students decode the words and sort them on the sorting mat.
Phonics Instruction
Everyday during phonics instruction, we would review the phoneme by referring to the poster. Then we would practice the skill using one of the included printables. These same phonics activities are again repeated throughout each unit so students can focus on the skill and not how to do the activity.
Decode and Read
Tap it, read it, and check it off. I always do this activity first. I kept the directions simple, but I have my students highlight the featured phoneme as well. You could also have them circle it if you don’t have highlighters.
Decode and Match
Decode the word, find the matching picture, cut it out, and glue it next to the word.
Decode, Match, and Write a Sentence
Look at the picture, find the matching word, write it in the box below, and use one word in a sentence. (This activity I loved to put in my word work center for the week.)
Word Mapping
Say the word in the picture, tap each sound with your finger, color a circle for each sound, write the letters for each sound, and read it.
Real vs. Nonsense Word Sort
Decode the words, and sort the words into the correct column real or nonsense.
Word Sorts
Decode the words, and sort the words into the correct column based on the word family.
Picture Sorts
Look at the picture, say the word, and sort the words into the correct column based on the word family.
Word Search
Find the hidden words. Use one word in a sentence. This sometimes went in a morning bin such as the real or nonsense word card sort. It also makes a great word work center.
Word Ladders
A picture is provided for students to identify and write the word. As they climb down the ladder, one phoneme is changed to make a new word that matches the picture clues. This activity was made so students can do the ladder independently versus a teacher orally saying the words. My students loved these word ladder activities!
Decodable Texts
In addition to all the above activities, I have included some decodable texts in two different forms. Each unit comes with two passages and two decodable readers. Both have activities that go along with the stories. Not only are these great for whole group, but they are perfect for small group instruction as well.
Passages: There are two versions one with boxes to read and check for fluency and one without.
Decodables: They come in both color and black and white. On the last page, there are word lists for the specific phonemes and sight words. For the sight word integration, I followed the UFLI scope and sequence.
My jam-packed phonics units will help your students master decoding first grade level phonics skills. Each unit focuses on a different phoneme, grapheme and/or phonics skill and can be used for whole group instruction, interventions, or with a small group of students. These are great support materials for teaching The Science of Reading and UFLI Scope and Sequence.
Click here to get the Year-Long Phonics Bundle and take a look at what units are included!
Here are a few ideas from my classroom you might like:
