First Grade Reading Lesson Plans

As we inch our way into August, teachers are beginning to hear their favorite back-to-school buzzwords. Among them?

Lesson Plans

Whether you’re a parent or educator of a first grader, designing the best first grade reading plans can pose a serious challenge. Especially when your first grader is in “summer mode,” even broaching the subject of lesson plans can feel scary to adults and children alike. To minimize stress on the first day of school, it’s best to identify and gradually build a reading plan that includes the main learning points of developing readers (link) in first grade. First grade reading can and should be fun - and our ideas for grade-appropriate lesson plans are designed to maximize fun, learning, and self-confidence in the first-grade classroom.

What Do 1st Graders Learn in Reading?

Many first graders are emergent readers, which means they’re just beginning to learn the basics of reading. Every child varies in their rate of reading progress, but many first graders will accomplish several key reading goals by the end of their academic year. In anticipation of these milestones, you can expect students to work on the following skills in a standard first-grade reading lesson plan:

Sounding out syllables to break up words and read them aloud.
Understanding and explaining the basic features of a sentence, such as the first words, first letter of a word, and rules of capitalization.
Recognizing common sight words that enhance overall reading fluency.
Explaining the basic difference between fiction and non-fiction texts.
Identifying different characters, events, and main ideas in a book.
Recognizing digraphs: two letters that represent one sound, such as gh, th, and sh.

Remember: these are overarching skills that many readers - but not all - develop during their first-grade year. When teachers consider how to teach 1st-grade reading, they are encouraged to consider these common developmental skills and the unique needs of their students, which may call for different reading goals and lesson plans.

First Grade Reading Lesson Plans Example

When designing a first grade reading lesson plan, the first thing teachers must identify are the learning objectives. Whether students are learning to read at home or in the classroom, all lesson plans should include learning objectives that clearly outline the goal of the reading lesson. For a first-grade reader, learning objectives may include:

Increasing reading comprehension by identifying the story elements of a text: usually, the characters, setting, and main events
Reading grade-level words with irregular spellings, such as
Understanding the many jobs of the “Silent E”

After defining the learning objectives, a first grade reading lesson plan will typically include the following features:

Specific planned activities that address the learning objectives
The sequence of these activities and any assessments to check students’ progress
A realistic timeline for the lesson to be completed
A plan for closing the lesson: this may include reflection questions for the students and/or the teacher(s) to create a sense of closure and begin the transition to the next lesson

How To Teach 1st-Grade Reading

No first grader - or any reader, for that matter - learns to read in the same way. That said, we advocate several expert-endorsed reading activities to support a range of first graders toward their reading goals. As you design a first grade reading lesson plan rooted in the science of reading, consider the following 1st-grade reading activities to boost your students’ reading success:

Expressive Reading: When reading books aloud, use different voices for different characters and narrators to model expression and pacing in a story. Doing this with a group of readers will make reading feel more like a show and less of a chore!
Reading Notebook: Encourage students to be their own “reading scientists” by recording new words and reading observations in a “reading notebook.” A homemade notebook with their own words and illustrations will make the reading journey feel like a special mission.
Write a Book: Who said first-graders are too young to publish a novel? Encourage creativity and challenge their writing chops by asking students to write and illustrate a story from their lives. This common first-grade reading activity gets students excited to read, write, and share their personal stories with friends and loved ones.

Take-Aways:

Most first graders are still developing basic reading skills such as recognizing sight words, breaking down words based on their syllables, and understanding the basic features of a story.
To solidify these skills, teachers and parents are encouraged to design first grade reading lesson plans that target these grade-level skills, while also considering the varied needs and interests of individual readers.
Using a combination of creativity, group discussion, and playful storytelling, the best first grade reading activities will enhance young readers’ skills and excitement about reading.

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6 Reading Strategies for Developing Readers

**What does it actually mean to be a developing reader?**

If you’re a parent or educator, the only thing you want - and need - is a clear answer to support your student’s reading development. To clarify this common-yet-confusing question, we’ll define the most common phases of reading development and outline 6 evidence-based reading strategies to support developing readers.

Reading Strategies for Developing Readers

Difference Between Developing Vs. Emergent Readers

Literacy experts often use the term emergent reader to describe readers who cannot yet read independently but are gradually working toward literacy. In this way, emergent readers - as well as students in other developmental phases of reading - can all be considered developing readers, as each one is developing the skills to read confidently and independently. Reading experts make varying levels of distinction between the terms developing reader vs. emergent reader, but it can be argued that both phrases describe a reader who is:

Learning the basic concepts of reading, such as decoding, phonics, the alphabet, and high-frequency and sight words that will boost their reading fluency
Progressing from picture-heavy books to texts with longer sentences and more complex stories
Gaining more control of the reading process

Whether a reader is just learning phonics or learning how to write essays about theoretical texts, all developing readers are united in the quest to achieve the next level of reading mastery.

Stages of Reading Developing

Every reader is different, but literacy experts typically break the process of reading into 5 developmental stages:

1. Emergent Readers or Emergent Pre-Reader

Depending on the source, the term “emergent reader” and “developing reader” may be used interchangeably. In the name of clarity, we define an emergent reader as a student who cannot yet read independently but is gradually acquiring the skills of literacy. Signs of an emergent reader include:

Recognition of high-frequency or sight words in their everyday environment
Writing in scribbles: while they may not know how to write actual words, they understand that writing communicates important information
A desire to read and even memorize their favorite books

2. Novice Readers

Like emergent readers, novice readers can also be considered developing readers. Most novice readers are working on alphabetic fluency, solidifying the relationship between letters and sounds, and reading aloud to understand the connection between spoken and written words.

3. Decoding Readers

Decoding readers are still reading simple stories, but much more smoothly than in prior stages of reading development. These readers must balance the acts of reading thoroughly and at a fluent rate. Because reading too slowly or too quickly can impede their comprehension, decoding readers are focused on decoding words at a rate that maintains their momentum and interest in a book.

4. Fluent Readers

The long-awaited stage of reading fluency marks a key milestone for developing readers. Fluent readers readily decode words and choose texts that align with their interests and higher-level reading skills. They are constantly building a collection of knowledge that helps them tackle new words and genres. Because many readers achieve fluency at a young age (typically 9-15 years old), they still need to self-monitor their comprehension through reflective essays, class discussions, and other tools.

5. Expert Readers

Compared to developing readers, expert readers tackle texts from a wide range of authors, viewpoints, and genres. They pay close attention to & think critically about what they’re reading. While this is the “last” stage of literacy development, any reading teacher knows that as long as one continues reading books, it’s virtually impossible to ever “end” reading development.

6 Reading Strategies for Developing Readers

Becoming an expert reader takes time, consistency, and years of life experience. That said, parents and educators can jumpstart the journey with these 6 reading strategies for developing readers:

1. Celebrate interests and identities.

From Day 1, developing readers should be encouraged to read texts that reflect (and expand!) their experiences and interests. Fostering a diverse library of books is key to their development and understanding of the world around them.

2. Keep a schedule.

For developing readers, consistency is key. Even on busy days, allocating just 10-15 minutes reinforces the importance of reading. Designating a “book nook” or family reading time makes reading more special - and less stressful!

3. Try reading aloud as a group.

Compared to old-fashioned popcorn reading, choral reading invites the entire class and teacher to read aloud together. This removes the spotlight from individual readers while helping students connect written and spoken words.

4. Same book, different day.

Studies show that reading the same text multiple times throughout the week, whether alone or in pairs, can significantly improve elementary students’ word pronunciation and comprehension. Instead of forcing students to move on from a beloved text, rereading it multiple times - aloud, alone, and in groups - can actually enhance their reading development.

5. Use reading technology.

Especially for students with dyslexia and other reading challenges, technology-based strategies such as ear-reading - listening to an audiobook while reading - can be transformative for developing readers.

6. Visit the library!

In addition to audio books and other assistive reading technology, your local library may host author events, giveaways, and other activities for developing readers that will ignite and sustain their love of reading.

Take-Aways:

While the definition of “developing reader” is debatable, we define a developing reader as anyone who is working toward the goal of reading a wide range of complex texts: fluently, confidently, and independently!
Five stages of reading development were originally identified by Maryanne Wolf (2008) in her book Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain. While the science of reading is always evolving, many reading experts agree on this rough breakdown of reading development.
Modern technology and local resources make it possible for parents and educators to support developing readers with 6 evidence-based strategies.

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What is an Emergent Reader? Plus: 4 Strategies to Support Emergent Readers

Whether you’re a parent or educator, you’ve likely stumbled upon the term “emergent reader” at some point in your student’s reading journey. This phrase is frequently used - but not always clearly defined. Today, we’ll unpack what it really means to be a student in the “emergent stage” of reading, and describe how literacy resources can best support emergent readers.

What is an Emergent Reader?

Emergent readers - sometimes referred to as “beginning readers” - are defined as students who cannot yet read independently but are gradually acquiring the skills of literacy.

For an emergent reader, every step counts. No two readers are alike, but the majority of emergent readers share some key similarities:

Most emergent readers are in kindergarten or first grade, although this standard has shifted since the pandemic & subsequent introduction of remote learning. Research is beginning to show that distance learning had a negative impact on elementary reading skills.
They may not write comprehensible sentences, but when asked to write down their address or name, for instance, emergent readers may write a string of scribbles.
- This shows a baseline understanding of writing as a way to share information.
Emerging readers may point out commonly used words and letters in their everyday worlds, such as words on signs (“Walk!” “Stop!”) or the first letters of their names.
Emerging readers may be ready to practice high-frequency words or sight words. They’ve learned the alphabet and may pretend to read familiar books.

Reading is not a one-size-fits-all process, and every emergent reader will vary slightly in their abilities and rate of progress. While most emergent readers read below a 4th-grade reading level, they’re making tangible steps toward reading fluently.

Emergent Reader vs. Beginning Reader

Beginning readers and emergent readers are often used interchangeably. That said, the definition of an emergent reader emphasizes the ultimate “emergence” of fluent readers, ideally with the support of a phonics-based reading program. To break it down further, some educators recognize the category of early emergent readers, who range from 6 months to 6 years old and are just beginning their reading journeys. Compared to early emergent readers, you’ll know your student is becoming a fluent reader when they show some of the following signs:

A strong understanding of phonics
The ability to read aloud, sometimes with help from an adult
Decoding skills, which allow readers to unpack more complex sentences
Progression from picture-heavy books and decodable readers to books with increasingly large chunks of text
An interest in nonfiction and fiction books that cater to their unique interests - and an eagerness to try reading them on their own!

Resources for Emergent Readers

Regardless of where your student stands in their reading journey, most young readers will benefit from the types of resources designed specifically for readers in the emergent stage. These resources often focus on word recognition, decoding ability, and phonics skills: all of which children need to make the transition to reading fluently. When looking for the best resources for emergent readers, look for curricula and programs that use the following strategies:

1. Direct and explicit instruction, especially for phonics. This may include detailed explanations, modeling independent reading, and guided reading practice.

2. Handwriting instruction: evidence suggests that regular handwriting practice is crucial to support emergent readers and students with reading disabilities.

3. Word blending and segmenting. Emergent readers should be learning how to blend words, which means that they’re able to put individual sounds together to form a word aloud.

a. In addition to word blending, emerging readers will gradually learn how to parse out the individual sounds or phonemes in a word: a process known as word segmentation.

4. For an emerging reader who is struggling to grasp basic literacy skills, spending instructional time on the relationship between sounds and letters - often referred to as “phoneme-grapheme mapping” - is crucial. A solid foundation in phonics is necessary before readers can progress confidently from the emergent stage.

a. Based on recent research on the science of reading, it’s best to introduce students to new letters as quickly as possible: to maximize their exposure, experts recommend teaching at least two new letters per week.

Reading Teacher offers a variety of tools to support emergent readers. With a focus on decodable words and phonics, we’re especially attuned to the foundational needs and varied skills of emergent readers. Above all, emergent readers will benefit most from fun, engaging, and interactive reading activities that foster their desire to read and learn, even before they achieve fluency.

Take-Aways:

Emergent readers are defined as students who cannot yet read independently, but show an interest in reading, writing, and a basic grasp of the alphabet.
Emergent readers are commonly referred to as beginning readers.
The best reading resources for emergent readers will use direct and explicit instruction to teach handwriting, word blending & segmentation, and phoneme-grapheme relationships.

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Know a Struggling Reader in 1st Grade? 4 Strategies That Just Might Work

1st grade is a time of exploration, play, social development, and, crucially, learning how to read. In anticipation of summertime - and, hopefully, more reading time - we’re outlining common reading goals and strategies to support struggling readers in 1st grade.

1st Grade Reading Goalsfor Struggling Reader

If your 1st grade reader is struggling, it might be time to adjust their reading goals and introduce new strategies to guide them toward success. Throughout the year and into the summer, there are several common reading goals for first graders to work toward:

Learning common sight words.

Sight words are often defined as words that kids can’t sound out with phonics, such as the, who, one, and you. Other high-frequency words are easier to sound out: think “it,” “run,” “like,” “can,” and others. While memorization of these words should not replace phonemic awareness, increasing first graders’ familiarity with high-frequency, one-syllable words can boost their reading confidence.

Answering questions about books they’ve read.

After each reading session, adults can facilitate a “mini book club” by asking the child questions about the book, helping them summarize the story, and generally discussing the book, all of which show the child’s understanding of the content.

Developing a love for reading.

For a first grade struggling reader, nurturing their love for literature may seem like a lofty goal. Yet for parents and teachers, there’s no need to stress: developing a passion for books is a long-term goal! To get a headstart, offer regular and frequent exposure to books and decodable readers that align with the child’s skills and individual interests. Dinosaurs, fairies, big cats, you name it: there’s a book for your first grader.

Strategies for Helping a Struggling Reader

How to Help My Struggling 1st Grader in Reading

After setting these reading goals, there are numerous strategies to help struggling readers in first grade transform into second grade superstars.

Set individualized reading goals.

Make a reading goal chart, tracker, or even a paper chain link with one reading goal written on each link. For struggling readers in first grade, being able to visualize and check off their reading goals makes success more tangible and exciting.

Establish reading time - and make it fun.

Imagine: just 10-15 minutes every day can. Make reading a daily habit by making it fun: read as a family in a quiet and cozy corner of the house, and discuss your books after the timer goes off.

Visit the library this summer.

School is out, which means the library is IN. Many local libraries sponsor summer reading challenges and events to support students of all abilities, including struggling readers in first grade and other age groups.

Find creative ways to read.

With the help of an adult, first graders can draw and write their own books - then read them out loud to others as newly “published” authors. Families can watch movies together with subtitles to encourage subconscious reading. And don’t shy away from graphic novels and other nontraditional reads: for a first grader, any reading is good reading.

Even for struggling readers in 1st grade, meeting their reading goals is possible when educators and parents meet them at eye-level. From an adult perspective, this means regularly checking in with your first grader, identifying their reading strengths and weaknesses, and modifying reading activities to reflect their goals and personal interests. No first grader is the same - and that’s what makes their reading journey both challenging and rewarding.

Take-Aways:

If you’re wondering how to help a struggling reader in 1st grade, it’s important to understand & establish common reading goals for first graders: among them, recognizing high-frequency sight words and showing signs of reading comprehension.
For 1st graders who are struggling to keep up with their peers, adults can adopt several strategies, including:
- Using visual tools to track reading progress
- Establishing reading time as a family or classroom
- Taking advantage of the local library
- Combining art and reading, using subtitles during movies, and finding other creative ways to sneak reading into your child’s everyday routine

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Help! My Kindergartener Can’t Read. Here’s What You Can Do About It.

Help! My Kindergartener Can't Read. Here's What You Can Do About It.

If you have a kindergartener that is struggling to read, don't worry - you are not alone. In fact, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), about 66% of fourth-graders are reading at or above grade level. When your kindergartener is having Difficulty reading, it can be a cause of great concern for parents. You may feel like you are doing something wrong, or that your child is doomed to a life of illiteracy. This is not the case! There are a lot of people out there who know what it's like to be in your shoes. The important thing to remember is that with all the incredible resources out there today, the most important thing to do is to practice. We have created a guide to help you start getting your kindergartener on the right track toward reading.

How to Help a Kindergartner that can't read

Here are techniques to help a Kindergartner that can't read :

-Read to them: This is the most important activity you can do to help your child develop reading skills. Make it a part of your daily routine to read aloud together for 20 minutes or more.

-Encourage them to read on their own: Provide materials that are interesting and at their level, such as easy readers, comics, magazines, and short stories. Set aside time each day for them to read independently.

-Make it fun: Playing games, singing songs, and acting out stories are all great ways to help your child develop a love for reading.

-Help them sound out words: When your child comes across a word they don't know, help them sound it out. This will help them to start to understand how the written word works.

Interactive Decodable Stories are helpful

Here is why interactive decodable stories are helpful :

-The stories are short

-The words are repeated multiple times throughout the story

-The words follow a simple pattern

-There is an interactive component that allows the child to practice what they have learned

Some examples of interactive decodable stories are: -"The Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss -"Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss -"Fox in Socks" by Dr. Seuss

These books are available online, or you can check them out from your local library.

Interactive Decodable Stories are helpful

Here is why interactive decodable stories are helpful :

-The stories are short

-The words are repeated multiple times throughout the story

-The words follow a simple pattern

-There is an interactive component that allows the child to practice what they have learned

Some examples of interactive decodable stories are: -"The Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss -"Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss -"Fox in Socks" by Dr. Seuss

These books are available online, or you can check them out from your local library.

Teaching kindergarten reading

These are tips to work with your child whether they are at home or in the classroom.

If you think your child may be having difficulty reading, the best thing to do is talk to their teacher. Teachers are trained in identifying early reading difficulties and can give you specific advice on how to help your child at home.

There are also many great resources available online and in libraries. Here are a few of our favorites:

- The Reading Machine by Barbara deRubertis: This step-by-step guide walks you through everything from teaching the alphabet to sounding out words.

- What Your Kindergartener Needs to Know by E.D. Hirsch: This book covers the basics of reading, writing, and math that every child should know before starting kindergarten.

Start by practicing the alphabet with your child every day. Help them sound out words and read simple sentences. Make reading fun by taking turns reading stories aloud, acting out scenes from books, or coming up with your own endings to stories. Encourage your child to keep reading by letting them choose their own books and providing plenty of praise when they read well. With a little patience and practice, your child will be reading in no time!

What else you can do if my child is not reading at grade level?

If you have exhausted all of the resources available to you and your child is still not reading at grade level, there are a few other things you can do. You can talk to your child's teacher about what they are seeing in class and if they have any suggestions. You can also look into hiring a tutor who specializes in helping children learn to read. The most important thing is to not give up and to keep working with your child. With a little extra help, they will be reading in no time!

If you are concerned that your child may have a learning disability, the first step is to talk to their doctor. They can rule out any medical conditions that may be causing the delay and refer you to a specialist if they think it would be beneficial.

If you have tried all of the above and are still struggling, reach out to us! We are here to help and can offer additional resources and support. Contact us today to learn more.

What are some signs that my child is not reading at grade level?

There are a few signs that may indicate your child is not reading at grade level. If they are struggling to sound out words, having trouble understanding what they read, or are reading very slowly, these may be red flags. If you notice any of these things, it is important to reach out for help so that your child can get back.

What are good words to start with sounding out words?

There are a few good words to start with when sounding out words. Words that have a short vowel sound, such as "cat" or "dog," are usually good for beginning readers. Once your child is able to read these easily, you can move on to longer words. Sounding out words is a great way to help your child learn to read.

By following the steps above, you will be well on your way to helping your child learn to read. Don't forget, the most important thing is to practice, practice, practice! With a little extra help and a lot of patience, your child will be reading in no time.

Summary

When it comes to teaching kids how to read, there are a lot of different techniques that can be effective. However, one of the best things that you can do is simply encourage them to read as much as possible. This means setting aside some time each day for reading, whether it’s before bed or first thing in the morning. It’s also important to create a reading-friendly environment in your home by stocking up on books, magazines, and other reading materials. And finally, make sure to praise your child when they show interest in reading or make progress with their skills. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to helping your child become a strong reader.

If you have any questions or would like additional resources, please reach out to us. We are here to help! Contact us today to learn more.

Happy reading!

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Teaching Kindergarten Students Sight Words

As a kindergarten teacher, teaching sight words is one of my most important priorities. If my students can learn to read quickly, they will be able to understand everything they read and have so much more success in their education. That's why it's important for me to know which activities and resources are best for teaching sight words. In this blog post, we will discuss the best ways to practice and learn sight words!

K Sight words are a great place to start when teaching sight words because they are designed specifically for kindergarteners. These resources are usually colorful and engaging, which helps keep kindergarteners interested. Plus, they often come with games and activities to help kids practice what they've learned.

Why teaching Sight Words is important?

Teaching sight words is important because it helps children learn to read quickly and fluently. When kids can recognize sight words instantly, they are able to focus on the meaning of the text rather than decoding each word. This helps them better understand what they're reading and makes reading more enjoyable for them.

One of the most important things that kindergarten teachers can do is to teach their students sight words. Sight words are those words that can not be sounded out, and must be learned by sight. Why are they so important? There are a few reasons. First, many of the words we use most frequently in English are sight words. Second, once children know a sight word, they can begin to recognize it in other contexts, which helps improve their reading fluency. And finally, knowing sight words frees up cognitive resources so that children can focus on decoding the rest of the text. Teaching sight words is an essential part of preparing students for success in reading.

Being able to read sight words is an important skill for any early reader to develop. Sight words are words that can not be sounded out, and must be learned by sight. Some common sight words include: the, of, and, a, to, in, is, you, that, it, he, was, for, on, are, as, with, his, they. These words make up a large percentage of the English language, and being able to recognize them quickly can help your child to become a more confident reader. While there are many sight words to learn, starting with a few of the most common ones is a good way to begin. As your child becomes more familiar with these words, they can gradually start adding more to their repertoire. In no time at all, they'll be reading like a pro!

Sight words are an important part of reading, but they can be tricky to learn. That's why it's important to find activities and resources that work best for your students. If you're looking for some great ways to teach sight words, check out the list below!

How can you practice K Sight words?

Here are a number of different ways that you can practice K sight words. One way is to use flashcards. This method works best if you have someone else help you, as they can hold up the cards for you and say the word out loud. You can either make your own flashcards or purchase a set online or from a store. There are also many apps that you can download that will allow you to play games with sight words. Another way to practice sight words is by reading books that contain high-frequency words. These books are specifically designed to help children learn these important words. Finally, another great resource for practicing sight words is websites that offer free printables and activities. Readingteacher.com is one of them and you can sign up for free here.

Another way to practice is by using worksheets or coloring pages that have K sight words on them. You can also find many online games and activities that will help you learn and remember K sight words. Whatever method you choose, be sure to keep practicing until you know all of the words!

When it comes to teaching sight words, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, research has shown that the most effective way to teach sight words is by using a combination of activities. This includes activities such as flashcards, word searches, and dictation. By using a variety of activities, students are more likely to retain the information and be able to apply it in different contexts. In addition, it is important to provide plenty of opportunities for practice. This means that students should be given ample time to read and write the words individually and in context. With consistent practice, students will be able to confidently identify and use sight words in their reading and writing.

Sight words are an important part of learning to read, and these activities will help your child master them in no time! There are lots of other great activities and resources out there for teaching sight words. So get practicing and have fun! Your child will be a reading pro in no time. Thanks for reading!

By following these tips, you will be well on your way to teaching your students how to read sight words quickly and accurately!

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Online Reading Programs for Struggling Readers

With the Internet at our fingertips, finding the right online program for your reader might seem like a simple task. At Reading Teacher, we understand that finding online reading programs for struggling readers can quickly evolve into hours of research and unnecessary stress. Summertime is not the time to be stressing about your student’s reading success - which is why we’re taking the time to explain how online reading programs can support and renew the confidence of struggling readers.

Signs of Reading Difficulty

Take a peek at your most recent search history. If “online reading program for struggling readers” is at the top of your list, you may have noticed some behaviors that now motivate your search. Yet when elementary schoolers spend all day at school, it can be surprisingly difficult to assess their reading proficiency. If you’re unsure, read a grade-level book with your child and take note of the following signs:

Sounding out words is a chore
Recognizing common sight words is just as difficult, even after regular exposure
The reader struggles to manipulate sounds and understand how they form words, suggesting poor phonological awareness
They also struggle to summarize or retell stories they’ve just read
- The culprit? Poor reading comprehension, which usually stems from issues with decoding. When struggling readers focus all of their attention on simply decoding words, the story’s plot line fades into the background.
Frequently guessing at or skipping words, despite encountering the same words in decodable readers

Why Is My Student Struggling With Reading?

Understandably, most online reading programs for struggling readers target the most common reading issues: struggles with decoding, sounding out words, and comprehension. Even after their students become strong readers, parents and educators are often left wondering: why did my student struggle in the first place? While no child’s journey is the same, researchers have identified some common reasons for reading setbacks:

Remote Learning: The young readers of 2022 represent a unique cohort of students whose earliest reading lessons took place 100% online. The lasting impact of virtual learning on reading proficiency remains unclear, but early U.S. research suggests the long-term negative impact of distance learning on reading fluency.
Dyslexia and Other Learning Challenges: In our fast-paced world, reading disabilities and attention disorders such as Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) easily go unnoticed. Without proper treatment, learning disabilities can limit a child’s ability to attend to - and ultimately comprehend - their reading assignments.
Mismatch in Learning Styles: Your student may be an auditory learner - but their teacher’s reading curriculum caters to visual learners. Understanding different learning styles can help parents and teachers find online programs for struggling readers that supplement students’ classroom or daytime reading lessons.

Reading Programs for Struggling Readers in Elementary School

Online Reading Programs for Struggling Readers

Especially for struggling readers, establishing a strong foundation in phonics is a #1 priority. The Reading Teacher phonics program includes a library of 100 decodable books and 300 printable materials tailored to struggling readers in kindergarten and elementary school. The first level of Reading Teacher is completely free and grants teachers, parents, and students full access to interactive & decodable stories.

The science of reading shows that phonics are essential for developing phonological awareness: a key building block for lifelong reading. When it comes to reading, research also demonstrates that two senses are better than one. In light of these findings, Reading Teacher’s online curriculum uses audio to introduce students to novel sounds. When students encounter new words and letters, they’ll develop a firmer grip on the relationship between words, letters, and sounds, which is essential for long-term reading success.

As with most things in life, the journey is worth the destination. It may take time, but investing in an online reading program can transform the outlook of a struggling reader.

Take-Aways:

To identify the best online reading programs for struggling readers, adults should take note of poor reading comprehension, struggles with decoding, and other common signs of reading difficulty.
Today’s elementary schoolers struggle with reading for a variety of reasons, including a history of remote literacy lessons, learning disabilities, and a mismatch between their learning styles and the reading lessons used by teachers and/or parents.
Coupling in-person reading lessons with an online reading program can help meet the needs of struggling readers.

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What is the Difference Between Phonological Awareness and Phonemic Awareness?

At Reading Teacher, we understand the struggle. When teachers try to learn new reading terms, they’re often faced with a storm of conflicting information, provided by everyone’s favorite yet sometimes unreliable friend: the Internet. We’ll save you the stress by outlining the difference between phonological awareness and phonemic awareness, followed by reading activities that help readers understand the tricky relationship between sounds and words.

Phonemic Awareness and Phonological Awareness Similar

What is Phonological Awareness?

Phonological awareness is the ability to manipulate individual units of sound, or phonemes, and understand how they form words. If a reader can blend, separate, add, delete, or substitute sounds, then they are master manipulators - of sound, that is.

What Does It Mean to Manipulate Sounds?

When defining phonological vs. phonemic awareness, we need to know what it truly means to manipulate a sound. Take the word “cat,” for instance: to assess whether a child is able to manipulate the sounds in the word “cat,” you can ask them to blend the sounds /c/ /a/ /t/, without telling them that these three phonemes form the word “cat.”

Phonemic Awareness and Phonological Awareness

Phonological Awareness Activities

What is a phonological awareness activity? Any lesson that asks a reader to manipulate sounds by blending, segmenting, adding, deleting, or substituting to form a word. Although we’ll continue with our “cat” example, any age-appropriate sight word can be used to practice the manipulation of sound.

Back to “cat”: you can directly present the word “cat” to a child and ask them to separate the sounds into /c/ /a/ /t/
Ask the reader: what’s another that sounds like “cat”? Answers could be “car,” “camp,” “cow,” or any other word that starts with /c/
Extra tricky: ask them to substitute sounds by giving them a new phoneme to start the word. Instead of /c/, substitute /r/ to sound out “rat”

What is Phonemic Awareness?
Compared to phonological awareness, which focuses on the connection between sounds and the words they form, phonemic awareness concentrates on the individual sounds in spoken language, defined as phonemes.

There are 44 phonemes in the English language - but with 26 letters in the English alphabet, how is this possible? The answer lies in the concept of digraph phonemes, in which two consonants create blended sounds. Sounds such as /sh/ and /ch/ may be composed of two letters each, but they’re still perfectly valid phonemes.

Phonemic Awareness Activities
Because phonemic awareness is so specific, it can be difficult for educators to come up with targeted reading activities to test this skill. Because phonemic awareness assumes that readers are able to hear individual sounds, related activities can push children to become better listeners and interpreters of sound. Some simple ideas include:

Clap It Out: Sing a song or recite a favorite poem with your child, and clap loudly as soon as you hear a new syllable.
Noisy Phonemes: Find a “mystery item” in your home that makes a recognizable noise: perhaps a piece of bubble wrap, pot, or another noisy item. Have your child close their eyes, listen to the sound made by the item, and guess what it is, answering in a full sentence! This is an easy phonemic awareness activity for younger and/or more active readers.

How are Phonemic Awareness and Phonological Awareness Similar?

Both phonological and phonemic awareness emphasize sounds instead of letters. A handy rule of thumb - or tongue, in this context! - is that because phonological and phonemic awareness attend to sounds only and not letters, any activities that test these two skills can be done in the dark.

When explaining the differences between phonological awareness and phonemic awareness to a fellow teacher, start with the basics. As tedious as it can feel, this knowledge can take reading teachers, their lesson plans, and their readers much farther than they’d expect.

Take-Aways:

Phonological awareness refers to the ability to manipulate sounds and use them to form words, while phonemic awareness is hyper-focused on the ability to hear individual sounds.
Both phonemic and phonological awareness are focused on sound units, not letters.
Phonological awareness activities ask readers to blend, segment, and otherwise manipulate sounds, whereas phonemic awareness activities highlight the connection between hearing and speaking individual sound units.

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Know a Struggling Reader in 1st Grade? 4 Strategies That Just Might Work

1st Grade Reading Goals

Learning common sight words.

Sight words are often defined as words that kids can’t sound out with phonics, such as the, who, one, and you. Other high-frequency words are easier to sound out: think “it,” “run,” “like,” “can,” and others. While memorization of these words should not replace phonemic awareness, increasing first graders’ familiarity with high-frequency, one-syllable words can boost their reading confidence.

Answering questions about books they’ve read.

Developing a love for reading.

Strategies that Just might work for 1st grader

How to Help My Struggling 1st Grader in Reading

After setting these reading goals, there are numerous strategies to help struggling readers in first grade transform into second grade superstars.

Set individualized reading goals.

Establish reading time - and make it fun.

Imagine: just 10-15 minutes every day can. Make reading a daily habit by making it fun: read as a family in a quiet and cozy corner of the house, and discuss your books after the timer goes off.

Visit the library this summer.

Find creative ways to read.

Take-Aways:

If you’re wondering how to help a struggling reader in 1st grade, it’s important to understand & establish common reading goals for first graders: among them, recognizing high-frequency sight words and showing signs of reading comprehension.
For 1st graders who are struggling to keep up with their peers, adults can adopt several strategies, including:
- Using visual tools to track reading progress
- Establishing reading time as a family or classroom
- Taking advantage of the local library
- Combining art and reading, using subtitles during movies, and finding other creative ways to sneak reading into your child’s everyday routine

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Should We Practice Sight Words With Preschoolers?

Should We Practice Sight Words With Preschoolers?

Preschool: a place for show & tell, songs, coloring books, and learning how to read. If you’re the parent or educator of beginning readers, you might be wondering: should we teach reading, and more specifically, “sight words” in preschool? And if you’re entirely new to preschool education, it’s just as acceptable to ask: what are sight words?

Today, we’ll use experts’ advice to answer these questions, offer strategies for practicing sight words, and outline the best sight words for preschool and kindergarten classrooms.

What Are Sight Words?

Sight words can be recognized instantly: they’re simple words that a reader can “see” and pronounce without sounding out or guessing. An early reader’s set of sight words will vary slightly, as every preschooler or kindergartner is exposed to different books and varied sets of sight words. That said, most sight words are high frequency words that appear regularly in many children’s books. Think “the,” “a,”, “I,” “to,” and other words that aren’t easily sounded out but appear regularly in decodable books.

When to Teach Sight Words

Before practicing sight words with preschoolers, they should be showing signs of reading readiness:

Holding books and turning their pages correctly, from left to right
Ability to listen to a story, answer questions about it, and retell a familiar narrative in their own words
Alphabet knowledge: ability to recognize and sound out most letters
Phonemic awareness!

The final point is especially important. Learning to read is not simply a matter of practicing sight words. Before presenting a list of words to your preschooler or kindergartner, they should have a solid foundation in phonemic awareness: the ability to sound out the individual sounds in words. A preschooler who can blend simple sounds - /c/ /a/ /t/ to produce the word “cat,” for example - may be more prepared to memorize a list of preschool reading words than a kindergartner who is not as advanced in their phonemic awareness. In the realm of sight words, patience is key: your kindergartner may be more advanced than your struggling first grader, and this is simply part of the reading journey - not a determinant of either child’s long-term reading success.

practicing sight words with preschoolers

What Are the Best Sight Words?

With time and exposure to more books, young readers will develop their phonemic awareness. They’ll be able to count syllables in words, rhyme, and identify the first and last sounds in a word. At this point, you can craft or modify a list of the best sight words. These lists vary among reading experts and can also be modified to include high-frequency words in any decodables you plan to read with your child. That said, some of the best kindergarten sight words include:

Can
Am
Are
At
Do
For
Go
Has
Have
He

…Just to list a few! Note that these lists can be modified and expanded based on the needs and skills of the child. For pre-K or “pre-readers,” Readsters recommends these preschool reading words:

Like any skill, a mix of repetition and learning new concepts is essential. If your child is reading-ready, practicing sight words on a daily basis will enhance their reading fluency, phonemic awareness, and overall confidence.

Should We Practice Sight Words With Preschoolers

Take-Aways

Sight words can be used to increase reading fluency in a child who is ready to read.
Signs of reading readiness include understanding how to hold and read a book from left to right, alphabet knowledge, ability to listen to and retell stories, and phonemic awareness.
Phonemic awareness is an especially important foundation to establish before practicing sight words with preschool- and kindergarten-aged students.
The best sight words for early readers will vary depending on their skills and access to decodable readers, but many experts offer lists of the best high-frequency words for pre-readers.

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First Grade Reading Lesson Plans Example

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6 Reading Strategies for Developing Readers

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Teaching Kindergarten Students Sight Words

Why teaching Sight Words is important?

How can you practice K Sight words?

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Online Reading Programs for Struggling Readers

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What is the Difference Between Phonological Awareness and Phonemic Awareness?

Phonological Awareness Activities

How are Phonemic Awareness and Phonological Awareness Similar?

Start Teaching Reading for Free Now!

Know a Struggling Reader in 1st Grade? 4 Strategies That Just Might Work

Start Teaching Reading for Free Now!

What Are Sight Words?

When to Teach Sight Words

What Are the Best Sight Words?

Take-Aways

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Transform Your Classroom with Reading Tips

**What does it actually mean to be a developing reader?**