Setting clear, achievable goals is one of the most powerful ways to help students succeed, especially in phonics-based instruction. When students know exactly what they’re working toward, they feel more confident and motivated to learn. That’s where UFLI-Aligned "I Can" Statements come in!

These statements are designed to break down complex literacy skills into student-friendly goals that are easy to understand and track. Aligned with Common Core Standards for Kindergarten through 5th grade, this resource covers everything from phonics and blending to spelling, word work, and reading decodable text.

Whether you’re a classroom teacher, reading specialist, interventionist, or Science of Reading enthusiast, these "I Can" Statements will make your phonics lessons more targeted and your students more engaged. And the best part? They’re completely free!

Let’s explore how these statements can transform your literacy instruction and empower your students to take charge of their learning journey.

Why "I Can" Statements Are Essential in Literacy Instruction

When it comes to teaching literacy, helping students take ownership of their learning is a game-changer. Imagine the difference between a student passively following along and one who confidently declares, “I can read this word!” That shift doesn’t just happen—it’s nurtured through intentional strategies like using "I Can" Statements.

Building Ownership in Learning

"I Can" Statements put students in the driver’s seat of their education. By breaking down literacy skills into clear, actionable goals, these statements give students a sense of direction and purpose. Instead of seeing reading and spelling as overwhelming, they can focus on specific skills, one step at a time. This ownership empowers them to persevere, even when tasks feel challenging.

Bridging the Gap Between Teaching and Understanding

As teachers, we often think about what we’re teaching, but it’s just as important to consider what students are actually learning. "I Can" Statements make that connection crystal clear. They translate your instruction into language students can understand and internalize. When students know what they’re supposed to learn—and why—they’re more likely to stay engaged and make meaningful progress.

Benefits Beyond the Classroom

Using "I Can" Statements in your literacy instruction doesn’t just help students learn; it helps them see how much they’ve learned. Tracking progress becomes a tangible experience as they check off skills they’ve mastered. This boosts their confidence and motivates them to tackle new challenges. Plus, it gives you a valuable tool to monitor growth and identify areas where students might need extra support.

By incorporating "I Can" Statements into your lessons, you’re not just teaching literacy—you’re equipping your students with the mindset and tools they need to succeed as readers, spellers, and lifelong learners. It’s a simple change with a huge impact!

What’s Included in the Free UFLI-Aligned "I Can" Statements

Ready to take your phonics and reading instruction to the next level? Let’s dive into everything that’s packed into this free resource. These UFLI-Aligned "I Can" Statements were designed with teachers like you in mind—helping you simplify lesson planning while giving students clear, actionable goals.

Here’s What ‘I Can’ Statements are included:

Phonics and Phonemic Awareness Goals

Mastering the sounds that make up our language is at the heart of literacy. These statements break down essential phonics and phonemic awareness skills into bite-sized, achievable goals. From learning new sounds and letter patterns to blending and segmenting sounds, your students will always know what they’re working toward.

Blending Drills and Word Work

Blending drills help students connect sounds to read words fluently, and word work activities give them hands-on practice with decoding and encoding. These statements set clear targets for both, so students can feel confident as they tackle these foundational skills.

Reading, Spelling, and Fluency Targets

The journey doesn’t stop at single words! These "I Can" Statements guide students through fluency practice with phrases, sentences, and decodable texts. They’ll also learn to map out sounds to letters for spelling. This combination builds a well-rounded approach to reading and writing that supports long-term success.

Irregular Words and Connected Text

Some words don’t follow the rules, and these statements help students handle those tricky irregular words with confidence. Plus, they provide goals for reading connected text, reinforcing decoding and comprehension in meaningful contexts.

Versatile PDF Format

These "I Can" Statements come in a print-ready PDF format, giving you the flexibility to use them however you like. Display them on a board, include them in student notebooks, or add them to your literacy centers—the choice is yours!

With these "I Can" Statements, you’ll have a powerful tool to streamline your instruction and help your students stay motivated and focused. It’s everything you need to build confident, capable readers while keeping lessons aligned to best practices and standards. Grab your free resource and see the difference it makes!

How to Use these "I Can" Statements in Your Classroom

One of the best things about these UFLI-Aligned "I Can" Statements is how versatile they are. Whether you’re working with a whole class, small groups, or individual students, these statements fit seamlessly into your teaching routines. Here are some simple, effective ways to bring them into your classroom and empower your students to reach their literacy goals.

Whole Group Lessons

Start by introducing an "I Can" Statement that aligns with your day’s lesson. For example, if you’re focusing on blending sounds, display the statement on your board and read it aloud together: “I can blend sounds to read words.” This gives your students a clear goal for the lesson.

Throughout the lesson, refer back to the statement to remind students of what they’re working toward. Wrap up with a quick reflection: “Who feels confident blending sounds today?” This reinforces the day’s learning while celebrating their efforts.

Small Group Instruction

In small groups, "I Can" Statements can help you focus on targeted skills. If one group is practicing reading decodable texts, use the statement: “I can read sentences and stories fluently.” You can even ask students to repeat it together before diving into the activity—it’s a great way to build ownership and motivation.

Interventions

For interventions, "I Can" Statements serve as a roadmap for progress. Start each session by revisiting a statement from the last lesson: “Let’s see if we can read and spell these words with our new sound!” Use the statements to set a positive tone and celebrate growth, no matter how small.

Literacy Centers

In literacy centers, the statements act as independent learning targets. For example, you can create a blending center where students work on: “I can blend sounds to read new words.” Include materials like letter tiles, word cards, or mini whiteboards to help them practice.

Tracking Progress and Celebrating Achievements

Tracking progress is key to keeping students motivated. Use a simple chart or binder where students can mark off "I Can" Statements they’ve achieved. Celebrate milestones with stickers, certificates, or just a heartfelt high-five—they’ll be thrilled to see their hard work paying off!

Tailoring to Individual Needs

Every classroom is full of unique learners, so don’t be afraid to adapt these statements. If a student needs extra support, break a goal into smaller, more manageable steps. For advanced students, combine multiple skills into a challenge like: “I can read and spell words with long vowels.”

By making these "I Can" Statements part of your daily routine, you’ll help your students take charge of their learning in a way that’s clear, achievable, and encouraging. The result? Confident readers who are ready to tackle anything!

Expand Your Instruction with the UFLI Comprehensive Bundle

If you’re loving the power of these UFLI-Aligned "I Can" Statements in your classroom, you’ll be thrilled to discover the full potential of the UFLI Comprehensive Bundle. This bundle is the perfect complement to the "I Can" Statements, giving you a complete toolkit for phonics instruction that’s systematic, engaging, and effective.

What’s Inside the UFLI Comprehensive Bundle?

The UFLI Comprehensive Bundle is designed to take your reading instruction to the next level. Here’s what you’ll find inside:

UFLI-Aligned Decodables

These decodable texts align perfectly with UFLI’s lessons, giving your students opportunities to practice their decoding skills in meaningful contexts. Whether they’re reading about a dog on a jog or exploring new vowel patterns, the decodables make learning to read fun and purposeful.UFLI-Aligned Progress Monitoring Assessments

Irregular Word Decodables and Comprehension Questions

If you’re looking for a resource to help your students truly master irregular and heart words, I can’t recommend these UFLI Aligned Irregular Sight and Heart Words Decodable Passages with Comprehension Questions enough! They align perfectly with UFLI lessons and give students purposeful, leveled practice that really strengthens their fluency, comprehension, and spelling. What I love most is how interactive and engaging the design is—students don’t just memorize words; they map them, decode them in meaningful passages, and even build their confidence answering comprehension questions.

Student Workbook

This workbook is a game-changer! Aligned with Lessons 1–128, it’s packed with activities that reinforce key skills like phonics, word mapping, and fluency. Students will love working through the exercises, and you’ll love how seamlessly it supports your instruction.

UFLI-Aligned Progress Monitoring Assessments

Tracking growth is essential, and these assessments make it easy to see how your students are progressing. Aligned to UFLI’s structure, these tools help you identify strengths, target areas for improvement, and celebrate achievements.

Irregular Word Teacher Guide

Teaching irregular sight words and heart words can feel tricky, but this UFLI Aligned Irregular Sight and Heart Word Guide truly makes it so much easier! It’s perfectly aligned with UFLI lessons, and the step-by-step teaching scripts are a lifesaver. I love how clear everything is—it breaks down the sounds, shows exactly where to place the “heart” on the tricky parts, and even includes visuals that help students really connect with the words. Whether I’m leading group instruction or leaving plans for a guest teacher, this guide keeps everything consistent, effective, and straightforward. Best of all, my students are gaining confidence and actually enjoying the process of learning!

Why Combine the Bundle with the "I Can" Statements?

When you pair the UFLI Comprehensive Bundle with the "I Can" Statements, you create a dynamic system for literacy instruction. Here’s why they work so well together:

• Clarity and Alignment: The "I Can" Statements provide clear learning goals, while the bundle offers the materials needed to achieve them.

• Progress and Confidence: Students can see their growth as they check off statements and complete workbook activities.

• Comprehensive Support: From phonics and blending to fluency and comprehension, this combination covers every aspect of reading instruction.

The Value of a Complete System

By using the UFLI Comprehensive Bundle alongside the "I Can" Statements, you’re not just teaching phonics—you’re equipping your students with the skills and confidence they need to become lifelong readers. Whether you’re working with whole groups, small groups, or individuals, this system adapts to your needs and delivers results.

Ready to take the leap? Pair your UFLI-Aligned "I Can" Statements with the Comprehensive Bundle and watch your students soar!

Why This Resource Is Perfect for Science of Reading Classrooms

The Science of Reading has revolutionized how we think about literacy instruction, bringing research-based strategies to the forefront. If you're committed to incorporating these principles into your classroom, the UFLI-Aligned "I Can" Statements are a perfect fit.

Aligning with the Science of Reading

At the heart of the Science of Reading is the understanding that learning to read requires systematic and explicit instruction. The "I Can" Statements are designed with these principles in mind, offering:

• Clarity and Focus: Each statement breaks down essential skills into manageable, achievable goals. This aligns with the structured, step-by-step approach recommended by the Science of Reading.

• Phonics and Phonemic Awareness: These statements emphasize foundational skills like phonics, blending, decoding, and word mapping—all critical components of early literacy.

• Progression: The statements are aligned to the Common Core Standards from Kindergarten through 5th grade, ensuring a systematic progression of skills as students grow.

Support for Educators

For teachers working to implement the Science of Reading in their classrooms, these "I Can" Statements provide invaluable support. They:

• Simplify Planning: With clear, standards-aligned goals, you can seamlessly integrate these statements into your lesson plans.

• Encourage Student Ownership: By helping students understand what they’re working toward, these statements empower them to take an active role in their learning.

• Reinforce Explicit Instruction: The statements align with UFLI's explicit teaching framework, ensuring students build skills intentionally and effectively.

Building a Strong Foundation

The Science of Reading emphasizes the importance of giving students a solid foundation in literacy. With these "I Can" Statements, you can make that foundation even stronger by giving students a roadmap for their learning journey. They’ll see their progress, celebrate their achievements, and gain the confidence they need to tackle more complex reading challenges.

Whether you’re new to the Science of Reading or a seasoned pro, these statements will support your efforts and help your students thrive. Add them to your toolkit today and watch your classroom transform!

Building Confident, Independent Readers Starts Here

Using the UFLI-Aligned "I Can" Statements is a simple yet powerful way to help your students set and achieve meaningful literacy goals. These statements encourage ownership, track progress, and provide the confidence students need to thrive in their reading journey. By integrating this resource into your instruction, you’re giving your learners a clear path to success, rooted in the Science of Reading and aligned with Common Core Standards.

Are you ready to take your phonics instruction to the next level? Download the free UFLI-Aligned "I Can" Statements today and watch your students grow into confident, independent readers.

Looking for even more resources to create a comprehensive literacy program? Check out the UFLI Comprehensive Bundle in my TPT store! It’s packed with UFLI Aligned Decodables, Progress Monitoring Assessments, and a complete Student Workbook for Lessons 1–128—all designed to complement your phonics instruction.

🔗 Download the free resource here: Your Free UFLI-Aligned "I Can" Statements
🔗 Explore the full bundle here: UFLI Comprehensive Bundle on TPT

Together, we can empower students to succeed and make literacy a joyful, meaningful part of their lives. Let’s get started!

Want More Tried and True UFLI Resources?

The UFLI Comprehensive Bundle is a must-have for reading teachers! It includes aligned decodables, irregular word decodables with comprehension questions, a student workbook packed with activities, progress monitoring tools, and an Irregular Word Teacher Guide that makes teaching tricky words a breeze. Everything follows UFLI lessons, so it’s seamless and effective. Plus, it’s ENDLESS—Which means whatever I think of next will be added at no cost!!