Droppin' Knowledge on Foundational Skills

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.

• About the Authors viiHey Parents and Teachers! 1What Is Balanced Literacy? 2What Is the Science of Reading? 3Oral Language Development 6Phonological and Phonemic Awareness 8What Are Phonological Awareness and Phonemic Awareness? 8The PA Skills 11Phonological Awareness 13Phonemic Awareness 23Congratulations! The Advanced Skills! 43Phonemic Awareness Can Be Done in the Dark … But Should It Be? 55Why Should We Align Our Phonemic Awareness Instruction with Phonics? 56What About Older Students Who Are Struggling to Read? 59The No Match Game 61Bonus Phonemic Awareness Games 84Bingo 8420 Questions 147I Spy 149Phonological Awareness 149Phonemic Awareness 149Wrapping Up 163Ready Set Read On! Your Next Steps and Staying in Touch 163