If you've been teaching these last few years you've probably noticed a big shift in literacy instruction. The latest approach is called the Science of Reading. Last year my district here in Texas made the leap and all teachers, veteran to new, was required to take the new SoR training.
What makes this approach different than all the others, and one I'm personally on board with, is that it is research and evidence supported. Much of the SoR training had us learn about the parts of the brain and how it acquires language. With this knowledge, teachers are better equipped to implement reading instruction in a way that supports student learning. After my own training I had a better idea on what best practices are for teaching reading at the kindergarten level.
Launching SoR in Kindergarten
One of the biggest goals at the end of any kindergarten year is to get students familiar with letter recognition and be able to match those letter sounds. In addition, as a kindergarten teacher it's my job to make sure that students are also exploring books, practicing fundamental reading strategies, and thinking about their reading through discussions. How does all of this happen? In whole group, yes, but a big chunk of it is through guided reading!
At the kindergarten level I see a lot of my students coming into the year with little to no letter knowledge - even with daycare or pre-k experience. Which means we hit the ground running at the start of the year with letter ID and letter sound work. The SoR equips us teachers with a Sound Wall, which is a replacement of the Word Wall (although I blend the two in my classroom) and every day we review the unlocked sounds (i.e. the sounds we've introduced in whole group phonics lessons) and their motions.
** I use Natalie Lynn Kindergarten's Sound Wall resource and it comes with corresponding motions for each letter sound. I've seen it work wonders with helping my kinders remember and retain their letter sounds and couldn't recommend it more.
During our reading block we explore big-picture reading concepts that I model and students practice independently. Then, we're off to reading stations and I can pull small groups. This is where the magic really happens!
Guided Reading with Pre-Readers
A big chunk of my groups are pre-readers - those students who do not have enough letter knowledge to begin the next step of decoding. So, this means we focus a lot on identifying uppercase and lowercase letters, the mouth articulation of the letter sound, and picture sort activities where students practice matching the word with the sound to the letter.
So how do I plan and prep for these activities? Luckily I took the time to lay it all out and I'm so excited to share this resource with all of you!
Scripted Lesson Plans
For each letter I've scripted out each lesson plan! No more sitting at your desk wondering what to do! It's all right there for you.
Then, in the lesson itself you introduce the grapheme (the letter form) as well as the mouth formation and articulation of the letter sound. I've provided these cards in the resource as well so all you have to do is print and go! I keep a binder with my lesson plans printed and any additional visuals, activities, etc. ready to go so that when I pull my groups my lesson is already prepared.
Afterwards, students practice with a sound picture sort where they are to cut and sort picture cards to the right sound. Then, to wrap everything up, students do a little handwriting where they practice the letter formation, name writing, and even guided writing using the letter sound from the lesson.
Once students master the alphabet they're ready to begin reading with sight words and higher leveled books!
Additional Resources
I've also provided other resources that can be helpful during your lessons such as: 3 versions of an alphabet chart (a must-have for any guided lesson), an orthographic mapping work mat, and guided writing template for use when your group is ready to start using letter sounds in words. I pre-print and laminate these (or slip into a plastic sleeve) and include them with my binder. It helps keep me organized and my lessons ready to go.
I hope you find this pre-reader resource to be helpful when planning your reading groups! Be sure to check back for when I release more lesson plans for reading levels B-D!
