I recently talked about decodable text and the importance of using them in your classroom. Be sure to check out that blog post to dive a bit deeper into why we use decodable text. Now, you know about the benefits and why we should use it, but now the question is…how do you use it?
Decodable books and passages are texts that are controlled for specific phonics patterns and include high-frequency words. When using decodable text with your students, it’s crucial that it is engaging and aligned with the phonics patterns you are working on. Remember that the goal of using decodable text is to give your students practice, practice, and more practice.
When?
The use of decodable texts is a very hot topic. I often hear teachers ask when do I use decodable text and in what capacity do we use them with our students? Decodable text should be used in the earlier stages of literacy. It is a way to put phonics decoding skills to work rather than our students guessing or using picture clues. The most critical time to use decodable text is right after a decoding lesson; it is the time for them to apply what they just learned. It gives them the sense of actual application. Here is what they learned, and it challenges them to apply that knowledge. If you just taught a whole group phonics lesson on -at word family, then it would be the perfect time to use a decodable reader to reinforce those learned skills. Depending on the phonics curriculum your district uses, it can include decodable readers and passages, but this isn’t the case for every school. And, occasionally, those included books aren’t enough, or maybe you find that they may not be engaging enough for your students. Keep in mind that if you choose decodable text that is not part of your specific phonics curriculum, make sure it follows your phonics sequence and pattern. It is soooooo important that you have already taught that phonics pattern before giving your students a decodable text on it. If you give them an unfamiliar phonics skill…they will struggle.
Decodable texts can be used in various ways, completely dependent on how your classroom runs. I like using them for small group reading because it allows me to listen and closely work with my students. I also always have a reading record with me to quickly jot down the student’s errors and strengths. I also use decodable text when working on a particular sound. That way, I can have my students circle specific words or letters associated with whatever it is we are working on. There is a singular focus with decodable text, so they are perfect to use in a small group setting. After a reading small group, this is a great time to assign a decodable text that they can continue to work on and master all week. I will use them as an early finisher because I believe in practice, practice, and more practice.
I do a ton of partner work in my class, it’s great for relationship building, but it’s also a great way to practice a ton of different skills. I will have my students partner up with a decodable text, and they will take turns practicing. They are increasing their fluency while building up confidence. Repeated reading of the decodable text can help students build up their automaticity and accuracy, leading to fluent readers.
As you know, I am an avid lover of reading, and I am constantly reinforcing nightly reading with my students. And, can you think of a more straightforward way to practice fluency, comprehension, and practicing phonics skills? Send home decodable passages! I have a ton of different sets that you can grab in my shop, and I have also linked a few below.
Decodable Passages and Comprehension Questions
Decodable texts are just one of the many texts that you should be using with your students, but I firmly believe using these in our classrooms is a way to help them feel successful and build up their confidence. Decoding is an essential skill that we need to teach our students, and using decodable text is a great way to practice those decoding skills with context. Using decodable text plays a significant role in assisting beginning and struggling readers. We want our students to feel confident and become successful readers. Decodable text is a big piece of that foundation. How do you use decodable text in your classroom?
