๐ Unit Overview
Literacy Fundamentals: Structured Literacy & Phonics Foundations
A comprehensive 8-week structured literacy unit for Year 7-8 students who need systematic phonics instruction and decoding support. Based on evidence-based practices including 'The Code' methodology, this unit builds foundational skills through explicit, systematic teaching of phoneme-grapheme relationships, morphology, and reading fluency.
๐ NZC Curriculum Alignment
This unit addresses foundational achievement objectives across reading, writing, speaking, and viewing.
English / Reo Pฤkehฤ
Integrate sources of information, processes, and strategies with developing confidence to identify, form, and express ideas.
Show a developed understanding of how to shape texts for different purposes and audiences.
Use a range of oral, written, and visual features to create clear, coherent, and engaging texts.
๐ค Week 1-2: Phonics Foundations
Focus: Systematic teaching of phoneme-grapheme relationships using 'The Code' methodology. Building foundational decoding skills through explicit instruction.
๐ฏ Learning Outcomes
- Students can identify and manipulate individual phonemes in words
- Students know the most common grapheme for each of the 44 phonemes
- Students can blend sounds to read simple CVC and CVCC words
- Students can segment words into individual sounds for spelling
- Students understand the concept of letters representing sounds
๐ Key Activities (Daily Structure)
- Daily: Phoneme warm-up activities (5 mins)
- Daily: New sound introduction with 'The Code' cards
- Daily: Blending practice with sound buttons
- Daily: Segmenting practice for spelling
- Daily: Decodable text reading (increasing complexity)
- Week 1: Focus on /s/, /a/, /t/, /p/, /i/, /n/
- Week 2: Add /m/, /d/, /g/, /o/, /c/, /k/
๐ Teaching Resources
- 'The Code' phoneme-grapheme cards
- Sound button worksheets
- Decodable texts (Phase 2 level)
- Phoneme manipulation activities
- Letter formation practice sheets
- Assessment tracking sheets
๐ Week 3-4: Advanced Phonics & Morphology
Focus: Expanding to complex phonics patterns, digraphs, and introduction to morphological awareness (prefixes, suffixes, root words)
๐ฏ Learning Outcomes
- Students can read and spell words with consonant digraphs (ch, sh, th, ng)
- Students understand long vowel patterns (a-e, ee, oa, etc.)
- Students can identify common prefixes and suffixes
- Students can break multisyllabic words into manageable parts
- Students apply morphological knowledge to decode unfamiliar words
๐ Key Activities (Daily Structure)
- Daily: Review previous phonemes with 'The Code' method
- Daily: New pattern introduction (digraphs/long vowels)
- Daily: Word building with magnetic letters
- Daily: Morphology mini-lesson (prefix/suffix)
- Daily: Decodable text reading (Phase 3-4 level)
- Week 3: ch, sh, th, ng + common prefixes (un-, re-)
- Week 4: Long vowel patterns + suffixes (-ing, -ed, -er)
๐ Teaching Resources
- Digraph and long vowel 'Code' cards
- Magnetic letters and word building mats
- Morphology charts (prefixes/suffixes)
- Decodable texts (Phase 3-4)
- Word sorting activities
- Syllable division practice sheets
๐ Week 5-6: Fluency & Advanced Decoding
Focus: Building reading fluency through repeated reading of decodable texts and tackling more complex phonics patterns
๐ฏ Learning Outcomes
- Students read decodable texts with appropriate speed and accuracy
- Students can decode words with complex patterns (ou, ow, oi, oy, etc.)
- Students self-correct when reading doesn't make sense
- Students can read multisyllabic words by breaking them into parts
- Students demonstrate improved prosody and expression
๐ Key Activities (Daily Structure)
- Daily: Fluency warm-up with familiar texts
- Daily: New complex phonics pattern with 'The Code'
- Daily: Guided reading with decodable texts
- Daily: Partner reading for fluency practice
- Daily: Multisyllabic word practice and syllable division
- Week 5: Alternative vowel sounds (ou, ow, oi, oy)
- Week 6: R-controlled vowels (ar, or, er, ir, ur)
๐ Teaching Resources
- Complex phonics 'Code' cards
- Leveled decodable texts (Phase 5)
- Fluency tracking charts
- Syllable division guides
- Expression and prosody modeling
- Self-correction strategy cards
๐ Week 7-8: Application & Consolidation
Focus: Applying all phonics knowledge to spell and read increasingly complex texts. Consolidating structured literacy skills through authentic practice.
๐ฏ Learning Outcomes
- Students can spell unfamiliar words using phonics knowledge
- Students read age-appropriate texts with confidence
- Students apply decoding strategies automatically
- Students can self-correct and cross-check when reading
- Students demonstrate mastery of 'The Code' system
๐ Key Activities (Daily Structure)
- Daily: Review all phonics patterns learned
- Daily: Dictation practice with multisyllabic words
- Daily: Independent reading of decodable texts
- Daily: Proofreading and editing practice
- Daily: Assessment and progress monitoring
- Week 7: Focus on less common patterns (ph, gh, ough)
- Week 8: Assessment, consolidation, and celebration
๐ Teaching Resources
- Complete 'Code' card set for review
- Dictation word lists (graded difficulty)
- Independent reading books (decodable)
- Proofreading checklists
- Progress tracking portfolios
- Celebration certificates and achievements
๐ Assessment & Evaluation
Assessment focuses on growth and improvement rather than comparison. Multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate learning in various formats.
๐ Formative Assessment
- Daily exit tickets and quick checks
- Reading conference observations
- Writing draft reviews
- Vocabulary usage in context
- Peer feedback sessions
๐ Summative Assessment
- Reading comprehension assessment (Week 2)
- Writing portfolio review (Week 4)
- Vocabulary demonstration (Week 6)
- Final literacy project (Week 8)
- Self-reflection and goal setting
๐ฏ Success Criteria
- Improved reading fluency and comprehension
- Clear, organized writing with supporting details
- Expanded vocabulary use in context
- Confident participation in discussions
- Evidence of growth mindset toward literacy
๐ Differentiation & Support
๐ Reading Support
- Choice of text complexity levels
- Audio book options available
- Paired reading partnerships
- Visual comprehension supports
โ๏ธ Writing Support
- Graphic organizers and templates
- Voice-to-text technology options
- Sentence starters and word banks
- Step-by-step writing guides
๐ฃ๏ธ Cultural Responsiveness
- Texts reflecting diverse perspectives
- Connection to students' own experiences
- Te Reo Mฤori vocabulary integration
- Multiple ways to share knowledge
๐ฏ Extension Options
- Leadership roles in peer support
- Additional research projects
- Cross-curricular connections
- Technology integration opportunities