About the Book
Reproducible, research-based activities to help K-5 students learn phonics and spelling, fast
Educators and parents know we are facing a literacy crisis, but few know what to about it. Droppin' Knowledge on Phonics is an action-oriented guide written by experienced educators to bridge the gap between research and practice. Drawing on the latest evidence on how K-8 students learn best, Heidi Martin and Adam Martin have developed reproducible activities, games, and practical tips to bolster phonics and spelling curricula. All the books in the Droppin' Knowledge series contain ready-to-go resources that you can use within your existing curriculum. These activities are perfect as warm-ups, homework, extra credit assignments, or in-class additions to your lesson plans. Deepen learners' understanding of important phonics and spelling concepts and give them “quick wins” to increase confidence and activate prior learning.
Many Science of Reading books go into too much detail on the research background of teaching. For parent educators and teachers, Droppin' Knowledge on Phonics offers a more accessible, immediately useful resource. With this book, you can teach students to read and help struggling readers, without a lot of background reading or ramp-up time.
Find evidence-based reproducible activities that you can use right away to help students learn to read
Bolster your lesson plans with no-prep activities, games, and homework assignments
Get phonics and spelling activities to enhance your lessons
Bring the latest scientific evidence into your teaching, without a lot of background reading or extra planning
Anyone teaching students in grades K–5, including homeschooling parents and early career teachers, can easily implement the activities and techniques in this book. Reading specialists and literacy coaches will also appreciate this valuable, step-by-step resource library.
Table of Contents:
Droppin’ Knowledge on Phonics v
About the Authors, vii
Hey, Parents and Teachers!, 1
What Is Balanced Literacy?, 2
What Is the Science of Reading?, 3
Let’s Talk About Phonics Patterns, 5
Let’s Take a Look at the Reading Brain, 8
How to Use the Riddles, 12
Let’s Talk About Spelling Tests, 74
Remember the Reading Brain?, 77
Bonus Tips: More Ideas for Practicing Spelling Words, 172
What Is Articulation?
What Are Articulatory Gestures?, 172
Rainbow Writing, 174
Bonus: Phonics Patterns to Know!, 181
What Is the Floss Rule?, 182
Do We Double the Letter When Adding ING … or Not?, 182
Silent E Makes the Vowel Say Its Name … And Does a Bunch of Other Jobs Too!, 182
How Do You Know If You Should Use a C or a K?, 183
Is It Park or Parck? How Do We Know When to Use CK?, 183
What’s Up With the Letter X?, 183
Quick Tips, 184
G Is for Giraffe & C Is for Circle!, 185
How Do You Know When to Use ER, IR, or UR?, 185
S Spells the Z Sound?, 186
ED Makes Three Sounds … BUT WHY?, 186
Why Does CH Make All Those Different Sounds?, 187
Y as a Vowel, 187
Bonus Pro-Tip!, 200
Phonemic Awareness, 203
Articulation, 203
Application, 203
Spelling/Dictation, 203
Meaning/Vocabulary, 203
Connected Text, 204
Bonus Phonics Game!, 207
Wrapping Up
Ready, Set, Read On! Your Next Steps and Staying in Touch, 211
About the Author :
Heidi Martin is trained in LETRS for Early Childhood, IMSE Orton-Gillingham, and Top 10 Tools. She is a National Facilitator for LETRS EC. She has presented at national conferences as well as provided training at the district level. Heidi is the author of P is for Paint, which is the one and only alphabet book with embedded mnemonics and is co-author of the Decodable Adventure Series. Heidi taught first grade for more than ten years and most recently taught grades Kindergarten and 4K. With her husband, she is founder of LitFlix Club, which delivers training and resources aligned to the science of reading to parents and educators in an approachable and understandable way.
Adam Martin is a National LETRS Facilitator certified in Units 1-8 and presents to teachers and districts on a weekly basis. He has his master’s in educational literacy and his reading specialist license. Adam is the co-author and editor of the Decodable Adventure Series. He taught first grade for seven years and has tutored children of all ages.
