Heidi Anne Mesmer

Phonics instruction shouldn't end when students can decode short words. From an early age, they also need to be able to decode "big words"--words with multiple syllables (sound units) and morphemes (meaning units)--to read proficiently. The key is to teach them systematically and explicitly, in developmentally appropriate ways. That's where this book comes in. Dr. Heidi Anne Mesmer shares essential background on how language "works," provides a K-5 scope and sequence to guide practice, and offers abundant research-backed strategies that teachers can put into action immediately.

If you're not sure how phonics fits within your daily instruction, or crave a more effective process for teaching phonics, Heidi Anne Mesmer is here to help. In Letter Lessons and First Words, Heidi Anne provides a research-based vision of what lively, engaging phonics instruction can look like, along with practical, classroom-tested tools to make it happen in your classroom. Heidi Anne provides a one-stop shop for phonics instruction, including a clear scope and sequence of what to teach, a quick assessment to differentiate instruction, a simple lesson framework, and three activity-filled units matching key developmental milestones. More than twenty classroom videos bring the content to life, showing children working with letters, words, and books at various stages of learning. Additional resources include: A "know the code" chapter explaining English spelling (and online glossary) Answers to common questions Guidance about choosing books for readers at different stages new info about how children cognitively store words and why inductive tension is important. Isn't it time to re-imagine how you teach phonics? Letter Lessons and First Words will show you the way toward joyful instruction for today's classrooms. Read Heidi Anne's Blog post Developmentally Responsive Phonics Instruction: A Research-Based Approach