Step | Key Feature(s)/Benefit(s) |
Introduction (once per section) | explicit instruction for the phonics pattern(s) covered in the section Students hear an initial overview lesson for the section and then click to get additional short lessons about words with the phonics pattern(s) in the section. |
Estimated time: ≈1–3 minutes |
Select an Exercise | several exercises in each section to teach specific phonics patterns Students recommended to select exercises in order unless an exercise teaches skills the student has already mastered. |
Estimated time: ≈10–20 seconds |
Look, Listen & Respond | explicit instruction and modeling for the phonics pattern(s) covered in the exercise Students click to get an initial lesson or multiple initial lessons and then they click to decode and read along with words that have the pattern. |
Estimated time: ≈1.5–3 minutes |
Decode & Read Along | - explicit modeling for reading unknown words (word-by-word)
- develop phonics skills by pairing letters and sounds
|
Estimated time: ≈8 minutes |
Practice Word List | - independent practice reading a word list of words with the featured pattern(s)
- explicit modeling for reading unknown words (triggered by click)
- feedback showing WCPM improvement with a score for each practice
|
Estimated time: ≈3–6 minutes (It is common for students to need 3–6 practices to reach their goal.) |
Spelling | - opportunity to spell words with the phonics pattern(s) taught
- feedback for correct/incorrect spelling
- modeling of correct spelling for words spelled incorrectly
Step asks students to spell five words that have the phonics pattern taught. Students attempt to spell each word independently the first time and receive support for spelling the word again if they spelled it incorrectly the first time. |
Estimated time: ≈2–3 minutes |
Phontastic (wait-time activity) | - opportunity to develop phonemic awareness and to practice decoding phonics patterns using phonemic awareness and phonics questions
- feedback regarding whether responses were correct/incorrect
|
Estimated time: <3 minutes (Time spent depends on how long the student waits for the teacher.) |
Pass/Word List | - opportunity to practice/demonstrate mastery of reading word list for teacher
- feedback on Pass step performance and opportunity for the teacher to instruct the student regarding phonics
|
Estimated time: ≈2–3 minutes |
Story exercise (once per section) Exercise steps: Read Along Practice Quiz Pass | - modeling/supported practice reading a story containing words with the featured sound(s)
- independent practice reading the story
- explicit modeling for reading unknown words (triggered by click)
- opportunity to develop comprehension
- feedback regarding whether responses are correct/incorrect
The quiz consists of a cloze activity for words from a dropdown menu that fit the phonics pattern(s) from the section. |
Estimated time: ≈5–10 minutes |
Remedial Work | reteaching/review of items the teacher selected for remediation |
Estimated time: <5 minutes (If needed, the teacher assigns remedial work depending on student performance in the Pass step.) |