In this ongoing class, learners with a basic understanding of decoding words will be introduced to advanced phonics topics. 

Each class will consist of an introduction to a new sound, including common spellings for that sound. The rest of class will be spent in a variety of games and activities with targeted practice for the new sound in words. A reading passage focusing on the new sound will be sent each week for practice in class and at home. My teaching philosophy is that if students are introduced to skills in a fun way, with safe and encouraging support, the skills are more likely to stay with the learner. My classes are fun and engaging, but structured and well-organized to optimize learning. In addition to specific sound-spelling combinations, general reading strategies will be emphasized to help learners decode tricky words. 

Students enrolling in this course should have a strong, comfortable command of reading CVC words (dog, cat, man). Students should also have a basic understanding of common digraphs (ch, sh, wh, th) as well as initial and final blends (such as st-, bl-, gr-, -nd, -st). They should also have a basic understanding of long and short vowel sounds, even if they do not know all of the spelling combinations for those sounds. If your student needs extra practice with these skills first, please check out my courses Sound It Out 1 (for CVC words) or Sound It Out 2 (for blends and digraphs). Feel free to reach out if you have questions about your learner's placement. 

Each class will assume a strong background in the above skills, but the individual advanced phonics taught in each session do not build on one another. Each skill will be taught in isolation, with the use of digraphs, blends, and short and long vowel sounds. This allows for learners to join for just one or a few classes, without having attended previous classes. Feel free to join for one week or all!

Week of September 9: Long O Sound (oa, o_e, oe, ow, o)
Week of September 16: Long E Sound (ee, ea, y, e_e, e)
Week of September 23: Long A Sound (ai, ay, ey, a, a_e)
Week of September 30: Long I sound (i_e, i, y, igh, ie)
Week of October 7: Flex it
Week of October 14: R-controlled sounds
Week of October 23: /ow/ sound (ow, ou)
Week of October 30: Long U (oo, ew, u, ui, ue, u_e, ou)
Week of November 4: /oy/ sound (oi, oy)
Week of November 11: /aw/ sound (aw/au)
Week of November 18: Soft c/soft g

This class is largely based on the Reading Simplified system, which uses an effective and efficient method to accelerate student learning. It is also research-based and great for all students, including those with dyslexia.

#academic