Mastering 2-Day UFLI Lesson Plans: My Top Tips and Tricks for Success
Are you curious how UFLI’s 2-Day Lesson Plans will work for you? As a reading teacher, one of my main goals has always been to help my students become confident and capable readers. Over the years, when our district did not provide us with a curriculum, I created my own systematic and structured phonics curriculum to meet my students' needs. This approach transformed my teaching, and when I discovered UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Initiative), it was a perfect match. Now, my team and I use both UFLI and the curriculum I developed, which directly correlates and follows UFLI’s two-day lesson plans. Together, these tools have made an incredible difference in our students' reading progress, and I’m excited to share what we’ve learned with you!
I’m sure many of you, whether you’re fellow teachers or parents, know how challenging it can be to find a system that works for every child. What I’ve learned is that structure and consistency are key—especially in phonics instruction. That’s where UFLI shines. The UFLI program offers a solid two-day lesson plan structure that’s easy to follow and incredibly effective. It’s been a game-changer for both my classroom and my students, and I’m excited to share some of the tips and tricks that have worked best for me.
But that’s not all—I’ll also be sharing my personal 2-Day Scripted UFLI-aligned Lesson Plan with you. This includes detailed instructions on how to teach each section, along with my personal tips and the reasoning behind each step. Whether you’re a teacher in the classroom or a parent working with your child at home, this lesson plan will guide you through the process and make teaching UFLI easier and more effective.
By following this plan, you’ll have everything you need to implement UFLI smoothly, ensuring your students can thrive in their reading journey. I can’t wait for you to try it out!
Understanding the UFLI Two-Day Lesson Plan
The UFLI program is broken down into two main instructional days, and the schedule is designed to balance introduction and review, building a strong foundation for students. Here’s how it works:
Day 1: Building the Foundation
Day 1: Building the Foundation focuses on introducing a new phonics pattern or sound.
Phonemic Awareness (2 min): This is where we focus on blending and segmenting sounds. It’s a quick and easy warm-up to get students tuned in to the sounds they’ll be working with.
Visual Drill (3 min): Using flashcards or visual aids, we reinforce letter-sound knowledge. This is especially helpful for students who need that extra visual connection to the sounds.
Auditory Drill (5 min): Students practice writing sounds as they hear them, focusing on sound-to-letter correspondence.
Blending Drill (5 min): This step focuses on combining individual sounds to form whole words—one of my favorite parts because students feel so proud when they “hear” the word come together.
New Concept (15 min): The core of Day 1 is the introduction of a new phonics sound or pattern. This might be a vowel team, consonant blend, or digraph, depending on the lesson.
Day 2: Review and Reinforce
Day 2: Review and Reinforce consolidates the knowledge, allowing students to apply it in different contexts.
Review (3 min): The start of Day 2 is all about reviewing what was introduced the previous day. This quick check-in reinforces the new concept.
Word Work (6 min): We manipulate letters and sounds to form new words, often using magnetic letters or letter tiles. It’s hands-on and really cements the learning.
Irregular Words (6 min): We tackle high-frequency words that don’t follow typical phonics patterns. These can be tricky, but with consistent practice, students gain confidence with them.
Connected Text (15 min): We finish by reading a passage that incorporates the new sounds and patterns, focusing on fluency and comprehension.
This structured approach keeps everything moving at a good pace and allows time for both instruction and application.
To help teachers and parents implement this plan smoothly, I’ve created a detailed step-by-step explanation for each part of the lesson. This resource will guide you through the objectives, materials, instructions, and tips to make each step effective and engaging for students.
My Scripted Lesson Plan for Success
When I first started using UFLI, I found that having a scripted lesson plan made all the difference. It took the guesswork out of each day’s lessons and gave me the confidence to deliver instruction smoothly. I designed my plan to be step-by-step, practical, and easy to follow, so teachers or parents can focus on teaching rather than planning.
Whether you’re a teacher implementing UFLI in your classroom or a parent looking for strategies to use at home, a scripted lesson plan will help you stay organized and ensure you’re covering everything. My plan breaks down each step in detail, so you know exactly how to move from one part of the lesson to the next. Plus, it saves a ton of time in prep work!
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Final Tips for Teaching UFLI
Stay consistent: UFLI is all about routine, and sticking to that routine will help your students thrive. Once they know what to expect, they’ll become more engaged and confident in their reading skills.
Adapt as needed: As much as I love the scripted lesson plan, every group of students is different. Don’t be afraid to adapt it based on your students’ needs. Some groups may need more time on one part of the lesson, while others will breeze through it.
Repetition is key: I can’t stress this enough—repeating steps builds mastery. Don’t worry if your students need to go over a concept several times before it clicks. UFLI’s structure allows for that repetition, which is so important for phonics learning.
Conclusion: Empower Your Students with UFLI
Using UFLI has transformed how I teach reading, and I’ve seen amazing progress in my students’ skills. If you’re ready to implement a more structured approach to phonics in your classroom or at home, I encourage you to download my free Detailed Scripted Lesson Outline and give it a try. The step-by-step instructions make it easy to follow, and I know you’ll see the benefits as your students grow in confidence and ability.
Let’s work together to empower every student to become a successful reader! Don’t forget to sign up for my email list to get your free resource, and start making a difference in your students’ literacy journey today.
DISCLAIMER:
THIS PRODUCT IS NOT ENDORSED BY UFLI FOUNDATIONS. IT IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE PROGRAM IN ANY WAY. NO PART OF THIS UNIT COPIES ANY MATERIAL FOUND IN THE MANUAL OR IN THE TOOLBOX.
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