Using Decodable Text for Purposeful Practice

Decodable text provides a unique opportunity for beginning readers to successfully decode words and combine words to form simple sentences and stories. Confident and capable practitioners can apply their knowledge of skilled reading development and characteristics of beginning texts to utilize decodable text as an efficient and effective practice tool.

This presentation is based on an article featured in the recent Perspectives themed-issue on practice. The central ideas from this presentation are: 1. Decodable texts offer purposeful practice opportunities for the generalization of newly acquired word recognition skills within the context of connected text. 2. Any particular text is decodable to an individual reader only if there is also a strong match between the phoneme-grapheme correspondences included and those that the reader has learned. 3. Reading decodable text is not an add-in or isolated activity, but rather can be thought of as the culmination of practice opportunities with newly acquired skills. 4. Decodable text offers a rich practice environment for cultivating the habits of proficient readers.

Andrea Setmeyer, School Psychologist, National Chapter Coordinator of The Reading League

Andrea Setmeyer is a nationally certified school psychologist in Indianapolis, Indiana.  As the founding president of The Reading League Indiana chapter, she experienced firsthand the impact that affiliation with The Reading League can have on a grassroots, local movement to advance evidence-aligned literacy throughout an entire state.  She is honored to serve as the National Chapter Coordinator for The Reading League, supporting our growing network of vibrant chapter leaders throughout the country.

Stefanie Husejnovic, Kindergarten Teacher, Board Member of The Reading League Indiana

Stefanie Husejnovic is currently a Kindergarten teacher in her 13th year of education in Decatur Township Schools. She has served on her school's instructional leadership team for six years. She coaches teachers in her collaborative teacher role with a focus on structured literacy instruction in grades K-2, and serves on the executive board of The Reading League Indiana.