Norfolk Public Schools' K-2 foundational skills literacy program is an evidence-based method of teaching students to read that includes phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension and enables students to develop the reading skills required to meet Virginia's academic standards of learning.

Phonemic Awareness Phonics Fluency Vocabulary Comprehension

NPS K-2 Instructional Non-negotiables

NPS Literacy Instructional Non-negotiables

What are Decodable Texts?

Student Time in Text  Decodable text follows a predictable and systematic pattern of sound-symbol correspondence, allowing students to apply their phonics knowledge and decode words independently. By spending time reading decodable text, students can reinforce their understanding of letter-sound relationships, build fluency, and gain confidence in their reading abilities. This foundational practice sets a strong basis for more complex reading comprehension and fosters a love for reading as students experience success in deciphering words and understanding texts.

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Making Thinking Visible: Phoneme-Grapheme Mapping Phoneme-grapheme mapping refers to the process of matching individual speech sounds (phonemes) to the written symbols (graphemes) that represent those sounds. It is a fundamental aspect of phonics instruction, where students learn to associate specific letter or letter combinations with corresponding sounds. Understanding phoneme-grapheme relationships is crucial for developing strong reading and spelling skills. It allows students to decode and encode words, enabling them to read unfamiliar words and spell words accurately. This skill is essential for developing strong literacy skills and becoming independent, confident readers and writers. Phoneme-Graphmeme Mapping One Pager Phoneme-Grapheme Mapping Grid