What Are Decodable Texts?

Decodable texts are books that are specifically designed to align with the phonics skills that children are learning in the classroom. These texts focus on words that can be easily "decoded" using letter-sound patterns that students have been taught. For example, if your child has learned the sounds for "s," "a," and "t," they will read words like "sat" and "mat" in a decodable text. This approach builds confidence and helps children develop the foundational skills they need to become fluent readers.

Why Are We Making This Change?

The shift to decodable texts is based on strong evidence showing that early readers benefit from structured phonics instruction. Unlike natural texts, which often contain words that cannot be easily sounded out or rely on students' memorization, decodable texts:

• Reinforce phonics skills: They provide opportunities for children to apply the sound-letter correspondences they are learning.
• Build reading confidence: When children are able to successfully decode words on their own, they feel more confident and motivated to read.
• Prevent guesswork: Instead of guessing at unfamiliar words, students use their phonics knowledge to accurately sound out words, leading to more precise reading and fewer mistakes.

What Can You Expect?

You will notice a shift in the types of books your child brings home. These books may seem simpler or more repetitive than the natural texts, but they are intentionally designed this way to support early literacy development. As your child progresses, the decodable texts will become more challenging, incorporating a wider variety of sounds and word patterns.

Please note that the levels on these decodable texts do not correlate with previous home reading levels. Decodable levels and sets differ depending on the phonemes and publishers.

When a child is consistently using phonic knowledge to decode texts and are reading with automaticity, fluency and prosody (expression) class teachers will begin to transition from decodable texts to natural language texts. Teachers will inform you when your child is ready for this transition. 

How Can You Support at Home?

Here are some ways you can support your child as they transition to decodable texts:

• Practise regularly: Encourage your child to read their decodable text aloud to you and celebrate their successes.
• Focus on phonics: Help them sound out unfamiliar words rather than guessing. Prompt them by asking, "What sound does that letter make?"
• Be patient: Building reading fluency takes time. Offer praise and encouragement for their effort and persistence.

We are confident that this shift will have a positive impact on your child’s reading journey. By developing a solid foundation in phonics, they will be better equipped to tackle more complex texts as they grow as readers.

If you have any questions or would like further information about decodable texts, please feel free to reach out to Mrs Cuff or Mrs Benoit. We are here to support you and your child every step of the way.

Students from Kinder to Year 6 received the Deep Thinking award. This award recognises those students who use critical and creative thinking to become independent life-long learners. They use a variety of thinking strategies and take responsibility for their learning.