Key Instructional Resources
This page has first grade structured literacy recommendations and resources intended to help teachers implement the course and make the biggest possible impact on student achievement.
Structured Literacy Companion
Includes multiple letter identification scripted activities for large or small group use, as well as the decoding sequence (by unit) aligned to the decodable texts, high frequency words, and associated syntax/semantics/morphology concepts.
First Grade Lesson Introduction Pages
These are comprehensive and customizable examples that can be directly used within the course. These Lesson Intro Pages include word chains for orthographic mapping and sentences for dictation (by unit) in the notes section of the slide.
Decodables
This folder houses all the decodables presented in the course along with supplemental decodable texts.
Phoneme Resources
These feature sound-spelling cards and a vowel wall for individual and group use.
LiveLesson Routines
Word Recognition: Frist Grade LiveLesson Routine
Here are the components to each first grade LiveLesson Routine
- Warm up - 10 min.
- Phonological Awareness
- Letter & Sound Recognition
- Blending
- Unit Decoding Pattern - 20 min.
- Phonological Awareness
- Can you hear the sound?
- Can you make the sound?
- Letter Sound Correspondence
- Can you write the letter for the sound?
- Can you read and write words with the sound?
- Phonological Awareness
- High Frequency Words - 5 min.
- Decodable Text - 5 min.
- Practice Opportunities - 10 min.
- Alphabet Arc routine
- Word Chain routine
- Sentence Dictation routine
Find your LiveLesson routines here:
Differentiated Small Group LiveLesson Instruction
Small group instruction in first grade often focuses on phonology and sound-symbol association, which includes syllabication.
Sound-Symbol Association
Practice reading and writing spelling patterns/high frequency words following each LiveLesson mapping session with word chains, sentence dictation and decodable text.
Key Resources:
- Virtual Word Work Mat
This tool will assist with word chains for encoding and decoding practice - Orthographic Mapping Routine
This tool is a complete customizable scripted orthographic mapping routine - First Grade Lesson Introduction Pages
Includes word chains for orthographic mapping and sentences for dictation by unit (see each unit's notes pages).
Syllabication & Morphology
At the end of orthographic mapping lessons, extend by challenging students to read big words. Add prefixes and suffixes to root words and decode using the spot and dot strategy.
Orthographic Mapping
Orthographic Mapping
Play
Orthographic Mapping - Sight Words
Orthographic Mapping: Sight Words
Play
Word Chains
What is a Word Chain?
Play
Sentence Dictation
Sentence Dictation
Play
Difference in Decodable and Leveled Readers
Difference Between Decodable and Leveled Readers
Play
Spot and Dot
Spot and Dot - 1 Consonant
Learn how to use the spot and dot method to figure out what the patterns are in the word.
Play
Additional Ideas for First Grade LiveLesson Sessions
Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Writing
Read both fiction and non-fiction texts pointing out text features and structure. Also, be aware of the writing stages. Students respond to a prompt using the draw and write template in most units.
Model how to write a research report and how-to, narrative, and opinion texts.
Syntax and Semantics
When interacting with students, use sentence frames to help students respond with complete sentences. Also, one of the best things we can do is teach students to combine sentences, incorporating nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, and prepositions learned in ELA 1A and 1B.
