At Little Mountain, we believe that every child can become a confident, independent reader with the right tools, strategies, and guidance. Our Caterpillar and Butterfly programs are designed to unlock the world of reading step by step, fostering both a love for reading and the skills needed for success.
The Process:
Building the Basics: Letter Names and Sounds
We begin by teaching letter names and sounds together, helping students connect what letters look like with what they sound like. This creates a solid foundation for understanding language and enables students to see and hear patterns from the very start.
Step by Step: Introducing Sounds in a Logical Order
Our program introduces sounds in a specific sequence, starting with common consonants and vowels. This progression allows students to quickly read and spell simple CVC (Consonant-Vowel-Consonant) words, such as “cat” and “dog.” Seeing themselves doing so gives them great pride and a desire to keep going!
Building Confidence and Expanding Knowledge
Once students master CVC words, we move on to long vowel sound rules, such as “silent e” (as in “cake”), and vowel teams, like “ea” (as in “bead”). Every lesson introduces a new sound while revisiting previously learned ones, ensuring that students steadily expand their knowledge while keeping all prior skills sharp.
This step-by-step process empowers students to independently sound out and blend increasingly longer and more complex words, all with less and less support.
Growing Independence and Confidence
As students master more complex sounds, they develop the ability to read and spell most words at or above their grade level. This independence is key to their confidence as they begin to tackle new and challenging texts on their own.
Why Our Approach Works
Our method is built on consistency, reinforcement, and a systematic introduction of skills. Here’s how it benefits students:
- Phonics Skills: A step-by-step approach to sounds and rules makes reading accessible.
- Spelling Accuracy: Repeated practice ensures retention and application of sounds.
- Reading Independence: Gradual complexity helps students grow into confident, independent readers.
A Path to Lifelong Success
At Little Mountain, our goal is to equip students with the tools they need to read and spell with independence and confidence. Through this thoughtful and systematic approach, we lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning and a love for literacy.