For those of you using First Steps with Phonics, here are decodable readers that give your students extra practice with reading. Decodable readers use phonetically controlled vocabulary to give students targeted practice with whatever phonogram students are currently learning. They are a great tool for developing fluency in reading. These particular decodable readers are designed for children with Down Syndrome and those with visual impairments.

I created two types of decodables to supplement First Steps with Phonics.

The first six readers focus on words that contain the targeted phonogram.

Here are samples from the AY book:

A page with words only always comes before the picture page to prevent students from looking at a picture to guess the words.

There are targeted phonogram decodable readers for the vowel teams taught in First Steps with Phonics: AY, AI, EE, IGH, OE, OA.

Once students can read these decodables fluently, they are ready for mixed-practice decodables. There are five mixed-practice decodables:

Here’s a sample from a mixed-practice decodable:

The decodable readers also introduce high-frequency sight words.

Try out the first decodable reader for free:

A complete set of First Steps with Phonics Decodable Readers that includes targeted phonogram practice and mixed practice is available at Teachers Pay Teachers .

Before using these, remember to help your student practice all the words first with the picture and word cards (available in the FREE First Steps with Phonics books) or with the blending cards.

Happy reading!