### Lesson Plan: Phonics and Decoding
**Grade Level:** 1st Grade
**Subject:** Language Arts
**Duration:** 60 minutes
**Topic:** Phonics and Decoding
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#### **Objective:**
Students will be able to:
1. Recognize and differentiate between short and long vowel sounds.
2. Decode simple CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words.
3. Blend sounds to read words.
#### **Materials Needed:**
- Flashcards with CVC words (e.g., cat, dog, pot, etc.)
- Alphabet chart
- Whiteboard and markers
- Phonics worksheets
- Picture books with simple text
- Magnetic letters or letter tiles
- Smartboard or projector for displaying visual aids (if available)
#### **Common Core Standards:**
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.2: Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.3: Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
#### **Introduction: (10 minutes)**
1. **Greeting and Warm-Up**: Start with a simple rhyme or phonics song that involves vowel sounds to get students engaged.
2. **Objective Sharing**: Explain to the students the objectives for the lesson in simple terms. "Today, we will learn how to read new words by looking at each sound in the word."
#### **Direct Instruction: (15 minutes)**
1. **Introduction to Vowel Sounds**:
- Show the alphabet chart and point out the vowels (a, e, i, o, u).
- Discuss the difference between short and long vowel sounds with examples. E.g., short 'a' in cat vs. long 'a' in cake.
2. **Modeling CVC Words**:
- Write a CVC word on the whiteboard (e.g., cat).
- Demonstrate how to sound out each letter and blend them together to form the word.
- Repeat with a few more examples (dog, pot, sit, etc.).
#### **Guided Practice: (15 minutes)**
1. **Phonics Flashcards**:
- Display flashcards one by one.
- Have students practice sounding out each letter and blending the sounds.
- Encourage choral reading where the class reads the word together after sounding it out.
2. **Word Building with Magnetic Letters**:
- Break students into small groups.
- Give each group a set of magnetic letters or letter tiles.
- Ask them to make CVC words using the letters.
- Rotate and assist groups as needed.
#### **Independent Practice: (10 minutes)**
1. **Phonics Worksheet**:
- Provide each student with a worksheet that has pictures and corresponding CVC words with missing letters.
- Students fill in the blanks to complete the words.
#### **Reading Practice: (10 minutes)**
1. **Picture Book Reading**:
- Choose a simple picture book with clear CVC words.
- Read aloud to the class, pausing to let students contribute by sounding out words when you come across CVC words.
#### **Review and Closing: (10 minutes)**
1. **Class Discussion**:
- Recap what the students learned about vowel sounds and CVC words.
- Ask a few students to share their favorite word they decoded today.
2. **Exit Ticket**:
- Hand out index cards and ask each student to write one CVC word they learned today.
- Collect the cards as their `exit ticket` from the class.
3. **Closing Remarks**:
- Praise students for their efforts and participation.
- Remind them to practice reading at home by looking for new CVC words in their environment or reading a book.
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**Assessment:**
- Observe students during guided and independent practice.
- Review completed worksheets and exit tickets to check for understanding and correct decoding.
**Differentiation:**
- **For advanced students:** Provide more complex words and challenge them with beginning blends like 'st' (star, stop).
- **For struggling students:** Offer more visual aids, additional one-on-one support, and simpler words to build confidence.
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**Follow-Up Activities:**
- Introduce a word wall that includes all the CVC words learned.
- Schedule a phonics game session where students can match pictures to words or play decoding games on educational apps.