In this post, I offer a FREE, science of reading-aligned Scope and Sequence for Kindergarten, first and second grade. I examine why following a phonics scope and sequence is important and recommend instructional routines and activities help your students master the skills you teach. Finally, I leave you with details about my Leaders of Literacy membership where you can find everything you need for small group instruction.
Too often it is assumed that learning to read is a natural process, like learning to talk or walk. But decades of research have shown us that learning to read doesn’t come naturally. English decoding skills are not intuitive. We must explicitly teach our students how to connect sounds with letters. We must teach phonics!
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But even when you know phonics instruction is an integral part of literacy instruction, it can be overwhelming to know how to begin teaching it. There is not one single way to teach phonics, but as Wiley Blevins explains in his book, A Fresh Look at Phonics, phonics instruction must be systematic and explicit. This means it progresses through a specific scope and sequence that will help you look ahead to see where development is going, and intentionally scaffold your students’ learning.
According to Blevins, a strong phonics scope and sequence builds from the simplest to the most complex. It builds on previous learning, is created to teach students to form words as early as possible, and teaches high-frequency sounds before less useful sounds. It minimizes learning interference and allows for differentiation.
I realize your school may not provide you with a scope and sequence for phonics, so to help you out I’ve created a FREE DOWNLOADABLE SoR-aligned PHONICS SCOPE AND SEQUENCE FOR K-2!
>> Download this Printable Scope and Sequence HERE <<
A Problem with Phonics Instruction and How to Fix It
Students simply do not get adequate review and repetition. The goal of phonics instruction must be mastery, not exposure. Blevins believes a new skill should be systematically and purposefully reviewed for four to six weeks after being introduced. Don’t give up on it until all of your students can successfully apply the skill to authentic reading and writing experiences well after the initial introduction!
Most curriculums are pretty fast-paced so you must be intentional about making time for review and repetition. Through explicit small group instruction and center activities, you can offer students the additional instruction and practice your students will need for mastery.
In his book, Blevins recommends offering students additional practice in the following ways:
- Blending work: List words with the new target skill as well as work skills previously taught.
- Dictation: Model how you transfer phonics skills to spelling, allow students to apply and try it out. Include words with patterns you have previously taught.
- Rereading Decodable Texts: Create a system where students reread stories independently or with a partner. Then assign specific stories to reread each day.
- Word building: Use a limited number of letter cards to build a series of words that vary by one or two letters. For example, words would be built in this sequence: up, cup, cut, but, bug and rug. Build in review by modifying the sequence to include a few previously taught skills. Add the short vowels a and i and the sequence becomes: up, cup, cap, cat, cut, but, bat, bug, big, rig, rag, and rug!
- Word Sorts: Give students word cards and ask them to sort them by related sounds or spellings. Include words with patterns you have previously taught.
Leaders of Literacy
Even with a scope and sequence to guide you and ideas for how to ensure mastery, it is a lot to purchase all of these activities and put them together in a cohesive manner for each student. But don’t worry, there is an easier way with Leaders of Literacy, my K-2 membership where planning, prepping, and teaching small group instruction is as easy as click, print, and teach.
Instead of spending your Sundays hunched over your laptop…hunting for word sorts, dictation resources, and decodable texts to target the needs of each of your small groups…you can simply log in to Leaders of Literacy.
Pick that week’s focus skill, and print off the step-by-step structured literacy lesson plans and activities. And just like that—your small group planning is DONE.
The resources inside of the all follow our SoR-aligned scope and sequence. Each activity focuses on a target skill and is paired with a review of skills that were previously taught to help give students the review and repetition they need to achieve mastery!
Wouldn’t it be incredible if planning, prepping, and teaching your small groups….was as easy as click, print, and teach?
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When you’re a Leader of Literacy, it is that easy!
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LEADERS HAVE IMMEDIATE, UNLIMITED ACCESS TO:
✔️ K-2 systematic scope & sequences
✔️ K-2 explicit structured literacy lesson plans
✔️K-2 high-impact student activities
✔️ Aligned with the Science of Reading
….and so much more!
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–PIN for LATER–
