The Science of Reading: Word Decoding and Phonics

This workshop provides educators with a comprehensive understanding of explicit, systematic phonics instruction and its role in developing proficient readers. Participants explore the alphabetic principle, phonics, and decoding strategies, with a focus on building these skills in a sequential, intentional manner. The session emphasizes the use of decodable texts, evidence-based practices, and targeted assessments to strengthen students’ word recognition abilities. Attendees learn practical classroom tips, instructional routines, and scaffolds for teaching phonics and decoding in ways that directly support reading comprehension.

• Inconsistent or non-systematic phonics instruction leading to gaps in decoding skills.
  
  
• Limited use of decodable texts, preventing students from applying learned phonics patterns in connected reading.
  
  
• Lack of alignment between instruction, standards, and assessment practices for foundational reading skills.
  

1. Implement Explicit, Systematic Phonics Instruction – Participants will learn how to design and deliver phonics lessons that follow a planned sequence, incorporate direct modeling, and provide multiple opportunities for guided and independent practice.
   
   
2. Leverage Decodable Texts for Skill Application – Educators will develop strategies for integrating decodable texts into instruction, enabling students to apply phoneme-grapheme correspondences and build orthographic knowledge.
   
   
3. Use Evidence-Based Practices and Assessments – Teachers will gain tools for blending, reinforcing common sound-spelling patterns, manipulating word parts, and employing decoding assessments to inform instruction and monitor progress