The most effective way to close the reading gap? Start with a strong foundation. When students master the building blocks of reading in grades K–2, they’re set up for lifelong success.
The Core Five Foundational Skills
- Phonemic Awareness
- Phonics
- Fluency
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
What Foundational Skills Look Like in Action
- Use Heggerty for daily 10-minute phonemic drills
- Teach with decodable texts aligned to your phonics scope and sequence
- Build fluency through repeated reading routines
Common Gaps to Watch For
- Sound manipulation and blending difficulties
- Letter-sound confusion
- Lack of automaticity in decoding
You don’t need more minutes you need more intentionality. By prioritizing foundational skills every day, you’ll unlock doors for every learner.