UFLI stands for the University of Florida Literacy Institute, and they have created the BEST (IMO) phonics program available to teachers today! It's like the superhero of reading programs, designed to swoop in and save the day by providing a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to literacy instruction. This program is all about equipping our young learners with the tools they need to become proficient readers and writers through explicit, systematic teaching methods. Think of it as your secret weapon in the battle against illiteracy. You can see the website for more information by clicking here!
The Origins of UFLI
The founders of UFLI noticed a gap in effective reading instruction. These educational masterminds, based out of the University of Florida, combined their powers of research, experience, and passion for teaching to create UFLI Foundations. Their mission? To ensure every child has the foundation they need to succeed in reading and writing. Their approach is all about being explicit, systematic, and engaging! The simple lesson structure and free online slides, games, and decodable readers make it easy for any educator to jump in and teach! With the low learning curve and affordable manual, UFLI Foundations is a wonderful phonics program backed by the Science of Reading.
Why UFLI Foundations Rocks
1. It's Science-Based
UFLI Foundations isn't just a bunch of fluff. It's backed by the solid science of reading, which means it uses methods proven to work. It's like having a recipe for the world's best chocolate cake—you know it's going to be good because it's based on the right ingredients and techniques.
2. Teacher-Friendly
This program is designed with you, the amazing educator, in mind. It provides clear guidelines, resources, and strategies to make teaching reading as smooth as peanut butter. Plus, it's flexible enough to fit into your existing curriculum, so you won't have to perform a teaching juggling act.
3. Student-Centered
At the heart of UFLI Foundations is a commitment to every student's success. The program emphasizes differentiated instruction to meet the diverse needs of your classroom kiddos. Whether you have students who are just starting their reading journey or those who need remedial lessons to fill phonics gaps, UFLI Foundations has got you covered!
Quick Tips to Implement UFLI Foundations
1. Embrace the UFLI Philosophy
Start by diving deep into the UFLI Foundations materials and embrace their philosophy. Remember, you're not just teaching reading; you're unlocking the world of literacy for your students.
2. Incorporate UFLI lessons into your already-established ELAR block.
UFLI Foundations is only one part of your literacy instruction. Students still need plenty of exposure to literature and story-telling that has vocabulary and storylines above their decodable ability.
3. Leverage Technology
Take advantage of technology to enhance your UFLI Foundations instruction. Tons of apps and online resources align with the UFLI approach and can make learning even more engaging for your students. You can find online, customizable games here for free! If you are looking for center ideas, games, or small group lesson plans, check out my TPT store here!
4. Collaborate and Share
Connect with other UFLI Foundations educators. Sharing successes, challenges, and creative ideas can help you refine your approach and discover new strategies. There is a wonderful Facebook group that is moderated by the program founders. Additionally, other resource-sharing groups are free to join.
Here's ours: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1057405288856379/
Here are some FREE online tools to get started!
UFLI Toolbox: The Toolbox is a comprehensive collection of instructional materials, assessments, and teaching aids. Search for "Toolbox" within the resources section. Here you will find apps, like the online blending board, print resources, such as sound wall materials and grapheme cards, and the link for virtual games.
Homework Materials: For homework support, you will find simple activities (with instructions!) designed to reinforce classroom learning at home.
Roll and Reads: These are engaging activities that combine reading practice with a game-like format. They're great for fluency and phonics practice. Click below for the different lists:
Decodable Readers: Decodable reading passages are ESSENTIAL for students, as they provide target practice of the learned phonics patterns. You can also find them in the UFLI Toolbox here.
UFLI Foundations Scope & Sequence
Below is a chart of the UFLI scope and sequence, including what skill is taught and in what order. There are three different "paths" to take, depending on if you are teaching Tier 1 in kindergarten, First Grade, or Second Grade.
Unit number | Unit name | Lesson numbers | Skills |
1a | Alphabet | 1-17 | Skills: a /ă/, m /m/, s /s/, t /t/, VC & CVC Words, p /p/, f /f/, i /ĭ/, n /n/, CVC Practice (a, i), Nasalized A (am, an), o /ŏ/, d /d/, c /k/, u /ŭ/, g /g/, b /b/ |
1b | Alphabet | 18-34 | Skills: e /ĕ/, VC & CVC Practice (all), -s /s/, -s /z., k /k/, h /h/, r /r/ Part 1, r /r/ Part 2, l /l/ Part 1, l /l/ Part 2 (al), w /w/, j /j/, y /y/, x /ks/, qu /kw/, v /v/, z /z/ |
1b | Alphabet | 1-34 | Skills: a /ă/, m /m/, s /s/, t /t/, VC & CVC Words, p /p/, f /f/, i /ĭ/, n /n/, CVC Practice (a, i), Nasalized A (am, an), o /ŏ/, d /d/, c /k/, u /ŭ/, g /g/, b /b/, e /ĕ/, VC & CVC Practice (all), -s /s/, -s /z., k /k/, h /h/, r /r/ Part 1, r /r/ Part 2, l /l/ Part 1, l /l/ Part 2 (al), w /w/, j /j/, y /y/, x /ks/, qu /kw/, v /v/, z /z/ |
2 | Alphabet Review & Longer Words | 35-41 | Skills: Short A Review (incl. Nasalized A), Short I Review, Short O Review, Short A, I, O Review, Short U Review, Short E Review, Short Vowels Review (all) |
3 | Digraphs | 42-53 | Skills: FLSZ Spelling Rule (ff, ll, ss, zz), -all, -oll, -ull, ck /k/, sh /sh/, Voiced th /th/, Unvoiced th /th/, ch /ch/, Digraphs Review 1, wh /w/, ph, /f/, ng /ŋ/, nk /ŋk/, Digraphs Review 2 (incl. CCCVC) |
4 | VCe | 54-62 | Skills: a_e /ā/, i_e /ī/, o_e /ō/, VCe Review 1, e_e /ē/, u_e /ū/, /yū/, VCe Review 2 (all), _ce /s/, _ge /j/, VCe Review 3, VCe Exceptions |
5 | Reading Longer Words | 63-68 | Skills: -es, -ed, -ing, Closed & Open Syllables, Closed/Closed, Open/Closed |
6 | Ending Spelling Patterns | 69-76 | Skills: tch /ch/, dge /j/, tch /ch/, dge /j/ Review, Long VCC (-ild, -old, -ind, -olt, -ost), y /ī/, y /ē/, -le, Ending Patterns Review |
7 | R-Controlled Vowels | 77-83 | Skills: ar /ar/, or, ore /or/, er /er/, ir, ur /er/, Spelling /er/: er, ir, ur, w + or, R-controlled Vowels Review |
8 | Long Vowel Teams | 84-88 | Skills: ai, ay /ā/, ee, ea, ey /ē/, oa, ow, oe /ō/, ie, igh /ī/, Vowel Teams Review 1 |
9 | Other Vowel Teams | 89-94 | Skills: oo, u /oo/, oo /ū/, ew, ui, ue /ū/, Vowel Teams Review 2, au, aw, augh /aw/, ea /ĕ/, a /ŏ/ |
10 | Diphthongs | 95-97 | Skills: oi, oy /oi/, ou, ow /ow/, Vowel Teams & Diphthongs Review |
11 | Silent Letters | 98 | Skills: kn /n/, wr /r/, mb /m/ |
12 | Suffixes & Prefixes | 99-106 | Skills: -s/-es, -er/-est, -ly, -less, -ful, un-, pre-, re-, dis-, Affixes Review 1 |
13 | Suffix Spelling Changes | 107-110 | Skills: Doubling Rule -ed, -ing, Doubling Rule -er, -est, Drop -e, Rule, -y to i Rule |
14 | Low Frequency Spellings | 111-118 | Skills: -ar, -or /er/, air, are, ear /air/, ear /ear/, Alternate /ā/ (ei, ey, eigh, aigh, ea), Alernate Long U (ew, eu, ue, /yū/; ou /ū/), ough /aw/, /ō/, Signal Vowels (c /s/, g /j/), ch /sh, /k/; gn /n/, gh /g/; silent t |
15 | Additional Affixes | 119-128 | Skills: -sion, -tion, -ture, -er, -or, -ist, -ish, -y, -ness, -ment, -able, -ible, uni-, bi-, tri-, Affixes Review 2 |
