1. The Challenge
Young learners in PreK through Grade 2 were demonstrating gaps in foundational phonemic awareness and early reading skills. The institution required an engaging, evidence-based literacy curriculum structured around explicit phonics instruction, vocabulary building, and interactive learning activities.
2. Target Audience
Children ages 3 to 8 (PreK to Grade 2) and early childhood educators. Content needed to be visually captivating and playful for young children while providing clear, structured instructional routines for teachers.
3. My Role & Process
Designed an early literacy curriculum aligned to evidence-based reading research:
- Research: Analyzed Science of Reading literature and foundational literacy benchmarks for early childhood.
- Design: Created a scope & sequence covering letter-sound correspondence, blending, sight words, and decodable reading progression.
- Develop: Authored student activity workbooks, vocabulary cards, phonics games, and teacher instructional guides.
- Evaluate: Conducted classroom pilots and formative reading assessments to track student phonemic gains.
4. Tools & Methods Used
5. Solution Overview & Instructional Artifacts
Published a comprehensive Kindergarten High-Frequency Word Learning Program for Royal Feel Publications, structured around an explicit 8-step instructional sequence designed to maximize word recognition and retention through active practice.
Figure 1: Project Overview — Kindergarten High-Frequency Word Learning Program (Royal Feel Publications).
Figure 2: Explicit 8-Step Instructional Sequence: See → Trace → Read → Find → Spell → Write → Apply → Review.
Figure 3: Structured Sight Word Practice (Trace, Read, Find).
Figure 4: Assessment & Review Worksheet (Word Search, Matching & Sentences).
Figure 5: 2-Page Workbook Spread featuring interactive spelling practice and teacher/parent check.
6. Outcome & Impact
- Empowered young learners through a multi-sensory 8-step reading and writing pathway.
- Successfully adopted by educators and parents for kindergarten foundational literacy instruction.
- Achieved measurable gains in high-frequency word automaticity, spelling accuracy, and sentence application.
