Pathfinders Academy

First Grade Literacy | Building Skills for Independent Readers

Days: Tuesdays AND Thursdays

Time: 8:15 AM - 8:55 AM

Location: Pathfinders Learning Lab (217 North 10th Street, Santa Paula, CA)

Program Description: 

First Grade Literacy Lab is a skill-building workshop aligned with the UFLI Foundations program, designed to support students as they transition from emergent to independent readers. With an emphasis on decoding, phonics, and fluency, each session provides targeted instruction in a warm, engaging environment.

Students will:

• Strengthen phonemic awareness through oral language games and sound-based routines
• Receive explicit phonics instruction using a systematic scope and sequence
• Practice blending and segmenting to decode unfamiliar words
• Read decodable texts to apply new skills with confidence
• Learn and review high-frequency words using multisensory strategies
• Develop spelling and encoding skills through guided dictation

Each class follows a predictable routine to support mastery, while weekly take-home materials help families reinforce learning at home. By the end of this adventure, students will have a solid foundation in first-grade reading skills and a growing sense of themselves as readers. Whether they’re blending their first words or confidently reading decodable books, every child will experience the pride of progress in a fun and affirming setting.

Additional Details:

• Phonemic Awareness Warm-Up: Students will strengthen their ability to hear, isolate, and manipulate sounds in spoken words—essential for decoding success.
• Explicit Phonics Instruction: Using UFLI’s carefully sequenced scope, students will build knowledge of spelling patterns and letter-sound correspondences, focusing on one new concept per lesson with ample review.
• Blending and Segmenting Practice: Children will learn to blend sounds into words and break words into sounds using hands-on tools and oral practice, improving fluency and accuracy.
• Decodable Reading: Students will apply new phonics skills by reading controlled texts that match the lesson focus, reinforcing decoding strategies and building automaticity.
• High-Frequency Word Work: Through explicit instruction and practice, students will master irregular words and high-utility words essential for fluent reading.
• Spelling and Dictation: Children will strengthen encoding skills by writing dictated words and sentences, applying phonics knowledge in writing.
• Application Through Literacy: While the focus is skill-based, students will also engage in age-appropriate reading and writing extensions, helping them build comprehension and express themselves through language.
• Family Literacy Support: Weekly take-home materials and guidance help families reinforce classroom learning, creating strong school-to-home literacy connections.