Guided Phonics + Beyond®

FOCUS LESSONS

Available Winter 2024

A one-stop resource for Science of Reading-aligned phonics instruction

With its comprehensive, spiraled scope and sequence, Guided Phonics + Beyond facilitates an effective, research‑based approach to phonics instruction. Each two part lesson is flexible and can be taught across whole group or small group time. The scripted lesson structure embeds everything a teacher needs to follow the best practices of Science of Reading, including the gradual release model, repeated routines, orthographic word mapping, decodable high‑frequency words, irregular words, dictation, word chaining, phonemic awareness integration, decodables, and more!

SKILLS & HIGHLIGHTS

• 6 units progress students from PreK through 2nd grade phonics standards

• Scope and sequence incorporates decodable and irregular high-frequency words

• Multisensory approach deepens the learning by engaging visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic senses

• Decodable passages in Units 2–6 extend the lessons and offer skills‑practice opportunities

Meet the Developer:

Tara West has been involved in education for 15 years, serving as an early childhood educator, a curriculum writer, and a professional development speaker. Tara believes in the importance of creating instructional materials and resources that are fun and engaging to students and supporting the teachers who use her materials. Learn more about Tara on her blog: littlemindsatwork.org

Instructional Materials

Each unit’s Instructional Materials includes a spiral‑bound Teacher Guide and the Word and Phrase cards needed for each lesson.

Small Group Materials

Small Group Resource Kits include enough materials for 6 students to use simultaneously and are compatible with each unit. Small Group Bundles include teacher guide for that respective unit and a Small Group Resource Kit.

Classroom Set Materials

Classroom Sets include enough materials for 24 students to use simultaneously and are compatible with each unit.

LESSON

Objective

Materials

Objective: Identify the letter Aa and the short vowel sound /ă/; repeat sentences.

Educational Sensory Pad with Letter a Card

Letter/Sound Strip: a

Letter/Stroke Card: a Mirror

Phoneme Phone

Pocket Chart

Printable: /ă/ Sound

Sound Card: /ă/

Say: Listen as I say the sentence: The dog is big

Say: Listen to the sentence, then we will repeat it together: School is fun Now let’s say it together: School is fun

Say: After I say the sentences, you will repeat them into your phoneme phone.

The cat is big. Dad sees me. I like cake.

It is hot Mom is sad I like her

Before introducing the skill, sing “The Alphabet Song” together. Display the sound card for /ă/ in the pocket chart.

Say: We are learning the short vowel sound /ă/. Watch as I form my mouth for the /ă/ sound. Look at the picture on the card—apple. The first sound in apple is the short vowel sound /ă/. The letter a makes the /ă/ sound in apple

Say: Let’s practice making the /ă/ sound together. Form your mouth to make the /ă/ sound. Move your tongue downward. Open your mouth wide, pulling back the corners of your lips Look at the mouth on the card Look in your mirror as you form the /ă/ sound Repeat: /ă/, /ă/, /ă/.

Display the picture side of the letter/sound strip in the pocket chart.

Say: I will point to each picture on the strip You will give me a thumbs-up if the word starts with the short vowel sound /ă/. (astronaut, bug, ax, alligator, cat, apple) hand2mind.com

Say: Let’s explore our writing strokes. Watch me as I stand and face away from you. Listen: over around. Raise your arm over your head as you say over around.

Ask: Did you see how I went over around? What does that look like? (circle)

Say: Watch again while I go over around

Say: We will practice the writing stroke together. Stand with me to practice our circle stroke. Motion the formation with your arms. Encourage students to mimic you.

Say: Use your sensory pad to practice your circle strokes. Press and drag your finger as you chant over around.