Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. This foundational skill prepares students for decoding words in print.
In my classroom:
I will incorporate daily phonemic awareness activities such as rhyming, segmenting, and blending sounds to strengthen students' auditory processing skills.
Through engaging games, songs, and hands-on activities, I will ensure that students develop confidence in recognizing and manipulating sounds before transitioning to phonics instruction.
Phonics teaches the relationship between letters and sounds, enabling students to decode and read words accurately.
In my classroom:
I will use systematic, explicit phonics instruction to help students build strong decoding skills.
I will incorporate multisensory learning strategies, such as using letter tiles, sand writing, and interactive digital tools, to make phonics instruction engaging and accessible for all learners.
Decodable texts and word-building activities will reinforce phonics skills and provide students with meaningful reading experiences.
Fluency is the ability to read with accuracy, speed, and proper expression, allowing students to focus on comprehension rather than word recognition.
In my classroom:
I will provide opportunities for repeated readings of familiar texts to build automaticity and confidence.
I will incorporate partner reading, echo reading, and choral reading to model fluency and encourage practice in a supportive environment.
Using progress monitoring, such as one-minute fluency checks, I will track student growth and provide targeted interventions when needed.
A strong vocabulary is essential for comprehension and communication. Students need exposure to a wide variety of words in meaningful contexts.
In my classroom:
I will introduce new vocabulary through read-alouds, discussions, and direct instruction using strategies like word maps and context clues.
Students will engage in interactive vocabulary activities such as word sorts, semantic webs, and student-led discussions to reinforce word meaning.
I will encourage independent reading and provide access to a print-rich environment to naturally expand students’ vocabulary.
Comprehension is the ability to understand, interpret, and engage with a text. It is the ultimate goal of reading instruction.
In my classroom:
I will use explicit comprehension strategies such as predicting, questioning, visualizing, and summarizing to help students actively engage with texts.
Small-group instruction and guided reading will allow me to tailor comprehension support to individual student needs.
I will encourage discussions about texts, helping students make connections between reading material and their own lives, other texts, and the world around them.
Students should understand why math works, not just memorize steps.
I use hands-on tools, drawings, and real-world examples to make math meaningful.
Students explain their thinking in multiple ways, like using models or discussing their reasoning.
Students need both accuracy and flexibility when solving math problems.
I provide structured practice, including games and number talks, to build fluency.
I encourage students to use different strategies to solve problems efficiently.
Math is about thinking through challenges and making connections.
I present real-world math problems that encourage students to explore different solutions.
I teach students to break problems into steps and explain their reasoning.
Being able to talk about math strengthens understanding.
I create opportunities for discussions, peer collaboration, and math journaling.
Students use math vocabulary and sentence stems to express their ideas clearly.
Effort and persistence lead to success in math.
I encourage students to embrace challenges and see mistakes as learning opportunities.
I celebrate progress and effort, helping students build confidence in their abilities.