As a first grade teacher, you know just that phonics and fluency are the foundations of reading.
Yes, reading comprehension is important, but it doesn’t matter if the student can’t accurately decode the text in the time needed to ensure comprehension.
Did you know that 37% of children arrive at kindergarten without the skills necessary for lifetime learning?
Even more shocking, half of children from low-income communities start first grade up to two years behind their peers.
As a first grade teacher, it’s hard to not feel overwhelmed and discouraged.
Not to mention, this data is from a “normal” reading gap.
Since COVID, the gap has become more of a canyon!
But this isn’t news to you.
So, how can you solidify your students ability to decode texts fluently in a way that keeps them engaged and excited about reading, but requires little prep from you?
Keep reading.
Summer Phonics and Fluency for First Grade
I created a set of holiday themed phonics and fluency passages with teachers and readers in mind.
These Summer fluency passages come in three levels to help you meet the needs of all your learners. There is a basic level that allows students to focus on one sentence at a time.
The intermediate level is a shorter passage with three to four sentences but it focuses on short vowel words that are easier to decode.
The hardest passage includes three to five sentences but includes long vowel words (CVCe and vowel pairs) that are more difficult for students to decode.
Before reading, students must identify four sight words in the passage.
The student must read the sentences or the passage three different times. Reading the same text several times helps students with fluency and automaticity.
These First Grade Summer Phonics and Fluency passages can be used for:
- small group instruction
- independent station activities
- at home activities/homework
Benefits of Phonics and Fluency Passages for First Grade
What does this mean for you?
It means that your students are working on:
- Sight words
- Decoding short vowels or long vowels
- Phrasing of sentences
- Speed of reading
- Increasing fluency through multiple reads
Because this is a no prep resource, it also means that your prep time includes simply click, print, copy and go!
The versatility of this product also means that if you are running short on time, you can send this home for parents to work on with their students.
Once students become familiar with this activity, you can also start using it as a literacy station. You can have students complete it independently or with a partner through buddy reading.
Summer Phonics and Fluency Passages for First Grade
So what are you waiting for?
You NEED these activities in your lesson plans if:
- You have students who are struggling with decoding and fluency
- You want to save time planning
- You need flexible resources to fit into multiple areas of your classroom
You can also save 20% by purchasing this product through the GROWING Phonics and Fluency Bundle.
Tips for First Grade Reading Fluency
Need some ideas to help your first grade students increase their reading fluency?
In this post, you will find 12 strategies that I have used in my classroom this year to help my students to increase their reading fluency.
These are effective strategies that I use in my reading, writing and poetry stations and at my teacher table during guided reading!
But the success of reading activities depends on something that most teachers don't talk about… having fun! If students are having fun, they are naturally going to read better and faster!
First Grade Reading Favorites
