Dear Reader,

Have you ever had a student who can read a word perfectly well on a phonics drill...but then stumbles over that exact same word two minutes later in a sentence? 😩

I see this ALL THE TIME!

And it makes sense.

Learning to decode a phonics pattern accurately is an important first step, but accuracy isn't the same thing as automaticity.

Our students (especially those who struggle with reading) often need many more opportunities to retrieve and apply a pattern before they can recognize it automatically in connected text.

That's why I've become a big fan of building fluency practice in a very deliberate and systematic progression:

WORDS ➡️ PHRASES ➡️ SENTENCES ➡️ DECODABLE TEXT

1. Start with the target words until students can decode them accurately.
2. Then put those same words into phrases.
3. Then put those phrases into sentences.
4. And finally, insert those sentences into connected text.

Along the way, continue mixing in previously taught phonics patterns and heart/high-frequency words so students have to retrieve old learning while applying the new skill.

It's a simple shift, but it helps bridge that frustrating gap between:

“I know how to sound this out!” and “I can just READ it.” 🎉

And...this is exactly what I've been working on this summer!

I've just released the first resource in a brand-new Decodable Fluency series, beginning with Short A.

Each set provides cumulative practice that progresses from:

CVC words → cumulative review → heart/high-frequency words → phrases → sentences → decodable text

But I also know that teachers love OPTIONS! What works beautifully in a 1:1 intervention session isn't necessarily what you need for a center, small group, or home practice.

For this reason, I included lots of different ways to use the same carefully controlled practice:

I've been using the flip-book version with my own students, and I especially love being able to flip from words → phrases → sentences → story as their reading becomes more automatic. They love taking the finished book home to read with their families too!

And if you use UFLI Foundations, I created this first set to align with the scope and sequence for Lesson 35. It's a great way to review at the beginning of the year before moving on to other skills. But you definitely don't have to use UFLI. The set works with any systematic phonics or structured literacy program once students have learned the target and review skills.

One more thing... Don't buy it today! 😉

The TPT Bonus Back to School Sale starts tomorrow, August 25.

On August 25–26, you can save up to 25% on this resource—and everything else in my store—when you use the code: BTSBONUS26

So go ahead and add anything you've been eyeing to your wishlist or cart today, and then come back tomorrow when the sale begins!

I'll be back tomorrow with one of my favorite quick routines for turning decodable reading practice into decoding + fluency + spelling practice all at once.

Happy teaching!

P.S. If you've been waiting to stock up on one of my larger fluency, multisyllable, heart word, or spelling bundles, the Bonus Back to School Sale is a great time to do it. Just remember to use BTSBONUS26 at checkout for the full discount.

LET'S CONNECT

​TPT | Pinterest | Instagram​