Did you know the following? 

• If a child memorizes ten words, then the child can read ten words. But, if the child can learn the sounds of ten letters, the child can read…
  • 350 three-sound words
  • 4,320 four-sound words
  • 21,650 five-sound words

Isn’t that just incredible? That lays out in one brief paragraph the importance of teaching phonics. But, I found working in the school system that most teachers are confused about how to tackle phonics instruction if their administration has not provided them with a comprehensive phonics program. 

Still trying to figure out where to start? The University of Florida’s Literacy Institute’s (UFLI) Virtual Teaching Resource Hub is one website I recommend saving in your bookmark tab. 

Here you can find a slew of already-made-for-you activities that you can utilize in your class with little to no preparation. 

An excellent phonics-based activity is blending sounds! Here is a tutorial from their website on how to utilize their Word Work Mat. And here is a link on how to access the mat — open here. 

I was excited to see that UFLI is working on a systematic and explicit science-of-reading-based program that they will be releasing in the near future. Click here to learn more! 

And remember, teacher — you matter in your students’ lives, and every step you lead them on their road to mastering literacy is a step that will help them access the world around them!