It’s almost time for a new group of kinders to enter your classroom and begin their journey to becoming successful readers. Chances are that most of those students are emergent readers so where do you begin? Keep reading for information on using Science of Reading aligned pre-readers in the classroom to support your young readers.

Check out these related posts:

• Activities to Teach the Alphabet in Kindergarten
• Science of Reading Alphabet Activities
• Simple SoR Classroom Shifts

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OR GRAB THEM FROM THE SHOP HERE:

Who are Emergent Readers?

Your emergent readers are students who are still learning sounds (phonemes) and the most common spelling pattern (grapheme) of those sounds (/m/ is spelled m). They are not ready to begin decoding CVC words until they have mastered these sounds and spelling patterns. They will need explicit and systematic instruction to move from speech to print.

The following will be important to emphasize when working with emergent readers:

• Phonological Awareness
• Phonemic Awareness
• Concepts of Print
• Targeted Alphabet Lessons (read more HERE at Simply Kinder)
• Isolating Sounds
• Letter Formation
• Vocabulary

Pre-Readers in the Classroom

Pre-readers make a great supplemental resource for emergent readers. They support targeted alphabet lessons and give students real practice with reading text. Pre-readers give students tangible practice with the alphabet, identifying letter names & sounds, reading & making sounds, and concepts of print. They support students moving from speech to print and prepare students as they move forward to decoding words.

Using Pre-Readers

Pre-readers can be used in a wide variety of settings. They can be use during whole group alphabet lessons, small groups, centers, and sent home for additional practice. Use pre-readers to target individual letters of the alphabet, alphabet initial sounds, and mouth articulation.

How to use pre-readers in any setting:

• Use to practice individual letters and sounds as they are introduced.
• Perfect for gaining practice holding and reading a book (reading left to right & top to bottom, turning pages, etc.)
• Tap letters, read sounds, and say the picture.
• Practical understanding of text representing speech sounds.
• Practice reading and making each letter sound.
• Build vocabulary.
• Identify and practice mouth formation and articulation with real mouth photos.

Pre-readers are versatile and easy to get in the hands of your students. Practice reading together and allow students to read independently as you listen for accuracy and fluency.

Other Tips & Suggestions for Pre-Readers

Pre-readers are a great resource when working with emergent readers. Check out these additional tips & suggestions when using pre-readers.

• Be sure to align the pre-reader with the explicit skill you are working on (use the Letter T book when learning about T).
• Offer plenty of opportunities to practice phonological and phonemic awareness in addition to using pre-readers.
• Have students practice reading pre-readers as a whole group, with a partner, and independently.
• Implement pre-readers into small groups and centers.
• Pair pre-readers with Simply Kinder’s SoR Alphabet and Sounds Slides found HERE.

Simply Kinder’s Pre-Readers Bundle

Simply Kinder’s NEW pre-readers bundle has 29 emergent readers that are SoR aligned and will support your young readers. You will find individual letter books, alphabet initial sounds book, alphabet book with real mouth photos, and an alphabet story. Grab your pre-readers set HERE at Simply Kinder OR grab the whole Science of Reading Ultimate Bundle HERE!

Excited to try pre-readers in your classroom? Let us know! Please make sure to tag us on Instagram here or share inside the Simply Kinder Teacher Facebook Group here!