A Yearlong Guide to Teaching Phonics in Kindergarten

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Teaching phonics in Kindergarten is unique because our students grow and change so much during the school year!

As a result, the way I deliver my phonics instruction changes throughout the year too.

So I wanted to share with you a “big picture” guide that takes you through the entire Kindergarten year, showing you how my instruction shifts to meet students’ changing needs.

This post has a lot of info in it, so I also want to give you something you can take, print, and keep! Before you start reading the post, go ahead and grab the freebie by clicking the image below. It’ll be a great companion to the post and give you something to refer back to later!

One important thing to keep in mind is that, while students tend to learn phonics skills in a predictable order (Bear, Invernizzi, Templeton, & Johnston, 2015), they don’t all learn these skills at the same pace.

So although this is generally how I teach phonics throughout the year, I tweak this plan every single year, based upon my students’ needs.

Wondering how to teach phonics in Kindergarten? This post takes you through the entire YEAR and has a freebie you can download!

Schedule for Teaching Phonics Throughout the School Year

Below is a general timetable of how things work in my Kindergarten classroom:

Weeks 1-9: Initial Alphabet Instruction + CVC Word Introduction: whole group; can begin small group toward the end of this phase

Weeks 10-15: Alphabet Review + Digraphs: brief whole group review / instruction + differentiated instruction in small groups (topics will vary by group)

Weeks 16-31: Word Families / CVC Words: brief whole group review / instruction + differentiated instruction in small groups (can begin word sorts toward the middle/end of this phase, for those who are ready)

Weeks 32-36: Long Vowel Sounds (if required to teach) + Review CVC Words, Digraphs, Word Families: brief whole group review / instruction + differentiated instruction in small groups

Again, this timetable will vary—and the content of what you teach may vary too! Every Kindergarten class is different; always do what’s developmentally appropriate for your kids.

Next, I’ll go over each phase in more detail. I’ll explain what it looks like and what we’re working on.

Weeks 1-9: Initial Alphabet Instruction + CVC Word Introduction

For the first 8-9 weeks of school, I teach several letters each week.

We go through the letter name, letter sound, and how to properly form the letter. We also brainstorm words the begin with the target letter.

We have a whole class minilesson each day, and then the kids have some type of follow-up practice.

The follow-up practice might be a picture sort, a letter tracing/writing activity, or something along those lines.

I do a couple of letters each week so that students who are ready can begin using those letters and sounds in their reading and writing as soon as possible. On the other hand, if I were to do one letter per week, it’d take 3/4 of the school year to get through them all.

During this introduction phase, my goal is not 100% mastery of all letters and sounds by all students. I mean…that would be nice. 😉 But the point is to familiarize them with the letters, and then I follow up with differentiation during the next phase.

If you have a Kindergarten class with a big range of needs (i.e., some strong readers and some kids who can’t yet identify the letters in their name), you might be wondering, “Is this whole group instruction a good idea?” And you might know that research has shown that it’s important to differentiate when teaching letters and letter sounds (Stahl, 2014).

However, at the beginning of the year, unless you happen to have a class of all advanced readers, I think it’s important to make time for this whole group baseline instruction.

Here’s why I do this whole group:

  • Whole group activities at the beginning of the year build community and lay out a common foundation for the entire class.
  • My students just aren’t ready to work independently, at least not for an extended period of time! If I put them in centers the second week of school so that I can pull small groups to differentiate my alphabet instruction, it’s probably not going to go very well.
  • All students benefit from this “baseline instruction.” Even Kinders who are already reading might need to learn proper letter formation. Or they could use a review of the basic letter sounds before they move onto more complex sound patterns.

(If you do have a class of strong readers, you can always speed up the pace at which you introduce the letters.)

Of course, even though we do these letter activities in a whole group setting, there’s still some built-in differentiation.

For example, with the picture sorts that we do frequently, students can stretch out and write the word under each picture. Some kids may only get the first letter (if that). Others may be able to write the entire word correctly.

Oh! I also want to mention that I actually start working with my students on CVC words during this first block of time. After 5 or so weeks of school, they’re going to know about 10 letters, including two vowels (a and i, if you use my scope and sequence, which is included in the freebie).

That means that we can start blending! I display three letters and model how I say each sound aloud. Then, I blend the sounds together. After this, we blend as a class, and then I’ll have them try on their own. (I do – we do – you do).

And since they know a few letters by now, we can start manipulating the cards to make different words!

At this point, I’m not asking all of my students to read CVC words on their own. This drill simply familiarizes them with the blending process, and students who are ready for it will take off.

Separately, we’re also doing a lot of phonological awareness work, because kids need to be able to blend 3 sounds you say aloud before they can read CVC words with much success.

And although we do a little blending, the focus is still on learning the letter names and sounds (and other phonological awareness skills).

So that’s the first chunk of the year! In the free download that goes with this post (see below), I included a suggested order for teaching the letters.

At the end of this time period, I make sure to assess students’ letter knowledge so that I know how to differentiate my instruction as we move more into small groups.

Weeks 10-15: Alphabet Review + Digraphs

By now you’ve covered all of the letter names and sounds! At this point in the year, I shift to a little bit less whole group phonics instruction and a little more small group phonics instruction.

I still think it’s very helpful to have some type of whole group review or teaching activity…but I keep it brief.

During this time period, we typically review some of the letters that have been tricky for students. And eventually we add on digraphs (ch, sh, th, wh, ck)—although I wait until most students know most of the letters before throwing in digraphs in a whole group setting. We definitely work on digraphs in small groups—for those students who are ready, if any are ready at all!

Speaking of small groups, I mentioned that my instructional mode for teaching phonics shifts at this point in the year. We start doing more small group work, and I differentiate as much as possible to meet students’ individual needs. The assessment data I gathered at the end of Week 9 helps me decide what letters students still need to work on.

However, I don’t usually have dedicated phonics small groups. I usually integrate phonics instruction into guided reading/small groups.

You can read more about what small group looks like for pre-readers in THIS POST.

Weeks 16-31: Word Families / CVC Words

This next “block” of time is somewhat similar to the previous one, in that we continue to work on phonics mostly in a small group setting. Kids who are ready can begin doing some simple word sorts (in addition to picture sorts).

When we do quick phonics lessons in a whole group setting, I tend to focus on CVC words and word families, as long as most students in the class are ready for that.

At the same time, some students are still working on letters and letter sounds, and that’s okay! (And on the other hand, some students may be far ahead, even working on long vowels.) That’s why I do most of my instruction in that differentiated, small group setting.

Sometimes, depending on my schedule and the students, I start dedicated phonics small groups. These are separate from guided reading. It makes sense to do this if your students’ reading skills are really taking off and you need that guided reading time mostly for reading. Otherwise, you can just incorporate your differentiated phonics instruction into the small groups you’re already seeing.

In my Kindergarten No-Prep Phonics Games, I have a specific set that’s geared towards Word Families. These are games that students can play independently or in groups of 2-3 people. Check out the set here!

Weeks 32-36: Long Vowel Sounds (if required to teach) + Review CVC Words, Digraphs, Word Families

These last few weeks of school are kind of a medley of things!

If I’m required to teach long vowel sounds to the whole group, I usually do this then.

If your students are ready for CVCe words, I also have a set of the No-Prep Phonics Games for Kindergarteners for that specific skill. There are 19 activities included in the set! Click here for more info on that.

We also do a lot of review of CVC words, digraphs, and word families. Again, most instruction happens in a small group setting.

Schedule for Teaching Phonics Throughout the School Year

The thing about teaching phonics in Kindergarten—in any grade level, really—is that it’s going to vary from year to year. Although students’ learning usually follows that predictable trajectory, kids just develop at different rates.

All the same, I hope this post was helpful in giving you a “big picture” look at teaching phonics throughout the year in Kindergarten!

Don’t forget to download the freebie so you have this information for the future!

Happy teaching!

References

Bear, D. R., Invernizzi, M., Templeton, S., & Johnston, F. (2015). Words Their Way: Word Study for Phonics, Vocabulary, and Spelling Instruction (6th ed.). Pearson.

Stahl, K. K. (2014). New insights about letter learning. Reading Teacher, 68(4), 261-265.

Alison

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Rosemary
5 years ago

Excelente! Thank you for sharing this with us!!

Michelle Childress
5 years ago

What are thoughts on Words their way?

Bobbie
4 years ago

It appears to be one of the easiest ways to teach phonics that i have found so far. Now if i can just find some ideas on how to get the student interested, and focused. LOL

Learning At The Primary Pond
4 years ago
Reply to  Bobbie

That’s always the struggle, right?

Sally-ann
5 years ago

Such a fantastic resource. Thank you!! 😁

Sonja
5 years ago

Do you have anything for year 2 students? My son has ASD and struggles with writing sentences, phonics and reading. I heed help

Tammy Sanders
5 years ago

Is there a pdf to save? I have limited resources at my school.

Alma
5 years ago

So you have a guide for Spanish phonics in kindergarten?

Michelle Williams
5 years ago

Hi, I would love to have a peek at this guide. I teach Gr 1 at a Specialized school. Would it be possible or how could I get hold of you.
Greetings Michelle

Anna
5 years ago

I love that you have a guide for English phonics but wold you have something equivalent in Spanish for K/1? We don’t have a set phonics program for Spanish and would like to find something that can guide me! Please help.

Pat
4 years ago

Join the discussion…can I get via PDF

Samantha
4 years ago

Hi there! I am curious if this timeline/suggestions would work for a 30 minute dedicated phonics time in our classroom. I’m struggling with what to do now that I have a dedicated slot in my schedule outside of an hour of guided reading.

Summer
4 years ago

Thank you alison for the great insight! However, I was not able to download the freebie, do you mind sending me a copy to my email? Thank you very much!

Ann
4 years ago

I keep coming back to you as a reading resource time after time. I am teaching older learners to read so I don’t have a well rounded curriculum that I can refer to. When I look at my regular ed colleagues they have a point of reference and can seek each other out to figure out where they are, you fill that purpose for me and my learners!

Rhonda S Griswold
4 years ago

this is nice and inclusive.

SUSAN REDDING
4 years ago

Hi! I am a reading specialist and I am teaching a program that actually does not have phonics. This is just what I needed. Thanks!

Learning At The Primary Pond
4 years ago
Reply to  SUSAN REDDING

You’re so welcome!

Bobbie
4 years ago

I feel so out of the loop. I am working with my great granddaughter to learn to read since this coronavirus has shut down our schools. But I am not sure what the “CVC words” are that you keep referring to. Can you please fill me in? And prayer would be nice I feel so out of date on teaching.
Thanks Bobbie

Learning At The Primary Pond
4 years ago
Reply to  Bobbie

Hey, Bobbie! So CVC words are 3 letter words that are consonant/vowel/consonant (think ‘cat,’ ‘dad,’ etc). Does that help?

Carolina
4 years ago

I didn’t get the pictures with the alphabet chart in the pdf.

Learning At The Primary Pond
4 years ago
Reply to  Carolina

Hello! Did you try downloading the file again? Often I find that redownloading a file can help fix issues with things not appearing in a file.

David Schleif
3 years ago

Hi, I’m a full time student, part time tutor. My first student I’m tutoring has a double A reading level and I didn’t know how to start from the beginning. This website is a great resource. Thanks.

Learning At The Primary Pond
3 years ago
Reply to  David Schleif

I’m so glad that this post was able to help you, David! 🙂

jen
3 years ago

i am going to use this approach to my pupils since i got pupils quite hard to read

thank you for sharing this knowledge

Learning At The Primary Pond
3 years ago
Reply to  jen

That is great to hear! Let me know how it goes with your students! 🙂

Kimberly
3 years ago

Such a great resource, Thank you!
I am looking into a phonics program that would be well suited for homeschool kindergarten.
Do you feel your phonics program would meet that need or better suited for a classroom setting.
I would love your input/recommendation for a Phonics K curriculum.
Thanks so much!

Learning At The Primary Pond
3 years ago
Reply to  Kimberly

You’re so welcome, Kimberly! Yes, I do think that From Sounds to Spelling would also be successful in a homeschool setting. The program includes a placement test so you know where to start within the program, explicit lesson plans, professional development videos to help you better understand the program, lots of visual aids, and leveled materials. Everything you would need is included! You can learn more here: https://www.fromsoundstospelling.com/. But if you have any more questions, feel free to ask! 🙂

Asia
3 years ago

Hi Alison, is this document still free to download?

Admin
Reply to  Asia
Annette
2 years ago

This looks like a great resource! Thank you very much!

Admin
Reply to  Annette

Of course!!

Erin Cherniwchan
2 years ago

Do you have recommendations for book sets for the alphabet sounds?

Admin

Hey Erin! I don’t usually include books about alphabet sounds when teaching, but I love this idea! If I come across anything, I’ll let you know 🙂

Melanie
2 years ago

When you say that it is good for all students to learn this whole group, even my readers, does this include my well advanced high readers? How can I convince their adults to trust the process of having their reader be a part of this developmentally appropriate learning? It’s hard for some of my parents to understand that this sound, letter, blending stage is just as important for their above level reader as it is for my children who don’t even know their letter names yet? Thank you in advance. <3

Admin
Reply to  Melanie

Great question! My recommendation is to do only the first few minutes whole group. Even within the whole group time, you can easily differentiate. For instance, if the skill learning about vowel teams, you could have some students practicing with just basic words (“boat”) whereas your higher students could be learning about multisyllabic words with the “oa” vowel team (truckload). Blending solidifies the practice of decoding ALL types of words – the process stays the same even as the skills become more difficult (like with digraphs, blends, r-controlled vowels, etc.)

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