Literacy Footprints

🏫 Literacy Footprints in Kindergarten

Guided Reading Grounded in the Science of Reading

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Welcome, families!
In our classroom, we use the Literacy Footprints program to help your child become a successful, confident reader. This program aligns with the Science of Reading, using brain-based research to build foundational reading skills in a structured, supportive way.

🔬 What is the Science of Reading?

The Science of Reading is a body of research that explains how children learn to read. It emphasizes five key components of reading instruction:

1. Phonemic Awareness – Hearing and working with sounds in spoken words
   
   

2. Phonics – Understanding the relationship between sounds and letters
   
   

3. Fluency – Reading with accuracy, speed, and expression
   
   

4. Vocabulary – Knowing the meaning of words
   
   

5. Comprehension – Understanding and thinking about what is read
   
   

Literacy Footprints directly supports all five areas.

🧩 How Literacy Footprints Supports the Science of Reading

Science of Reading Component

How Literacy Footprints Teaches It

🔤 Phonemic Awareness & Phonics

Daily word study, sound-letter practice, blending and segmenting words

📘 Fluency

Repeated readings, small group coaching, take-home books

💬 Vocabulary

Story discussion, word introduction in context, student use of new words

🤔 Comprehension

Open-ended questions, predictions, retelling, making connections

✍️ Writing

Linked writing tasks reinforce sound/spelling patterns and story structure

📚 What Does a Lesson Include?

Each small group guided reading lesson focuses on:

• 📖 Book Introduction – Build background and set a purpose for reading
  
  

• 🔠 Word Study – Focused practice on phonics and high-frequency words
  
  

• 👓 Reading the Book – Teacher support while students decode and read
  
  

• 🗣️ Comprehension Talk – Oral discussion builds language and understanding
  
  

• ✍️ Writing Connection – Students write about what they read
  
  

• 📘 Take-Home Book – Students reread to build fluency and confidence
  
  

🎯 Our Kindergarten Reading Goals

By the end of the year, your child will:

• Know all letters and sounds
  
  

• Blend sounds to read simple words
  
  

• Recognize common sight words
  
  

• Read and understand beginner-level books
  
  

• Develop reading fluency
  
  

• Enjoy reading independently!
  
  

🏠 How You Can Support at Home

The most powerful thing you can do is read every day with your child!
Try:

• Rereading books from class
  
  

• Practicing letter sounds and sight words
  
  

• Talking about stories: "What happened?" "Why?"
  
  

• Encouraging writing and drawing at home