How To Get Started

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1. Read the information on the Program Overview page under A Sequential Phonics Program on the main menu.  Be sure to look at the step chart showing the five levels in the Sound City Reading program.
2. Look at the two-page flow chart shown above.  You'll be able to see the different levels in this program and the books that are used to teach at each level.  At levels one, two, and five, the books are printed with all black text.  At levels two and three, you have a choice of all black text or text with color-coded vowels. 
3. Click on Overview Of All Of The Phonics Books under Materials on the main menu.  Read about the books used at each level.
4. ​Click on the AUDIO and VIDEO menu headings and listen to the sound story and sound charts.  The recordings will help you pronounce the sounds for the letters and letter patterns correctly.  The sound story teaches the speech sounds in the English language.  The pictures are then paired with letters and letter patterns to teach their sounds.  It is important to understand that the  pictures in the sound story are not key word pictures.  The pictures represent actual sounds.  For example, a picture of a delivery truck shows the sound of the truck's engine, which is the /n/ sound.  It does not show the t/truck sound.  
5. Administer the baseline assessment to your students or students to determine a starting point.  For the visual part of the test, students are tested individually.  For the written dictation part of the test, students can be tested as a group. You can use the information from the test to decide where to begin instruction.  In general, students who do not recognize all the letters of the alphabet and cannot give the sound for each letter should start with level one.  Students who know all of the letters and sounds but are not able to identify beginning, ending, and medial short vowel sounds in words by writing the letter accurately on lined paper should start at level two.  Students who can complete the previous tasks but who cannot yet read words should start at level three.  Students who are learning short vowel words for the first time should use the Rhyming Short Vowel Words And Sentences or Basic Short Vowels book.  Students who can read and spell short vowel words accurately but cannot read words with other letter patterns and sounds should start at level four.  Students who are already reading but need to improve their word recognition, reading fluency, and spelling skills should also begin with level four.  Level four students who have trouble decoding and spelling new words should use the Phonetic Words And Stories books to develop segmenting and oral blending skills.  Otherwise, they can use the Basic Phonics Patterns books.   Students who have completed level four should continue with level five.           
6. Make alphabet and phonogram flashcards for the books you will be teaching.  You can download and print  PDF files for the flashcards from this website or you can write the letters and letter patterns on unlined index cards.  Most of the flashcard files make four complete sets of flashcards.  The files are printed on 8 1/2 by 11 inch card stock and cut into four sets.  A heavy duty stack cutter will make cutting the sets apart much easier, if one is available.  
7. Click on PDF FILES to find the instructional books and materials you wish to use.  Download the desired PDF files to your computer.  The files are free to download, and they are copyrighted.  You may print the materials at home or have them printed at a copy shop, to use with the students you teach.  
8. Download and print the PDF file for the book Sequence Charts And Lesson Plans.  This will be a helpful guide as you work through the program.
9. Many of the books have brief instructions and explanations on every page.  Many of the books have a lesson plan outline and sequence chart at the end of the book.  Some books have instructions for the teacher at the beginning of the book.  For some books, you will need to download a separate PDF file for the teaching guide.  In general, the instructions describe the teaching techniques you will use in each book.  You will apply the same techniques each time you teach a new alphabet letter or a new phonics pattern. Once you have taught the first few lessons, you and the students will be familiar with what to do.  Because the lesson structure for each type of skill stays the same throughout each level, both the students and teacher can proceed with confidence.  If you have any questions about how to use the materials, you can contact me at kathjdavis@gmail.com.  
10. If you are teaching at home, order a chalkboard that measures 2 feet by 3 feet, and an easel to mount it on.  This will be used to teach students to write manuscript and cursive letters.
11. Order small plastic letters from alphabetletter.com.  For each student, order two sets of lower case alphabet letters, and two sets of lower case vowel letters.  Place the letters for each student in a small box.  The box should be big enough for the students to rummage through the letters and pick out the ones they need.  Students will use these letters when they begin to spell short vowel words.  After students begin to study the various phonics patterns, they can spell words with those patterns.  For the youngest students who are learning the alphabet for the first time, buy one set of capital letters in addition to the letters listed above.
12. Purchase lined handwriting paper to use during handwriting and spelling dictation exercises starting with the Exploring Sounds In Words book.
13. Download the PDF files for any games that are recommended for the level you are teaching.  The games will need to be printed, laminated if possible for longer wear, cut out, and assembled.  They can be stored in manila envelops or clear plastic resealable bags.  Some of the games will be glued into file folders.
14. Children's picture books are integrated into the instruction at the Phonics Patterns level and the Advanced Phonics Patterns level.  You will need to borrow these books from your local library or purchase them.  While it is desirable to have students read as many of these books as possible, it is not essential that they read every book.  A list of books used is included in the Sequence Charts And Lessons Plans book.  The books needed are also listed on the sequence chart for each book.