Steck Vaughn Elements of Reading

Phonics Phonemic Awareness

A Lesson in Categorizing Patterns and Decoding

Program Overview Explicit, systematic approach for teaching phonemic awareness and

phonics Small group, differentiated instruction Children actively engaged in learning letter-sound relationships and

spelling patterns. Teacher determines when children have mastered skills and are ready to

move forward

Program Components Each kit contains sets of numbered lessons Sets increase in skill level Materials include lesson plans, picture cards, word cards, and activity

and assessment masters

Word SortCategorizing Patterns and Decoding

In this lesson, the teacher begins by placing the word cards cat, sit, and top along with the accompanying picture cards at the top of three columns.

Word SortCategorizing Patterns and Decoding

The teacher models sorting the first card from the deck. First, she reads the column word and then the chosen word, job-cat, job-sit, job-top. When the vowel sound match is made she asks the group to listen as she reads the matching words.

Word SortCategorizing Patterns and Decoding

The group members take turns sorting the rest of the deck.If an incorrect sort is made, the teacher moves the card to the correct column and the group reads the column before another turn is taken.

Word Sort

Categorizing Patterns and

Decoding

When all the words have been sorted, the teacher asks the children to read each column. She also asks what they notice about the spelling patterns in each column. For example: Words in the first column have the /a/ sound spelled with “a”.

ReferenceBloodgood, J.W., Morris, D., Steck Vaughn Elements of Reading Phonics Phonemic Awareness, Harcourt Achieve.