Step 1: Determine the Need

• A student may need additional support if they consistently struggle to accurately encode on their Series Check. We recommend the following threshold for additional support:
  • 3 Series Checks in a row with a score of 7/10 or below.
  • 4 Series Checks in a microphase with a score of 7/10 or below.
• Students who are not making progress typically need one of two kinds of support:
  • Process Support - Support focused on the “How-to” components of Unlock Phonics such as the format, process, and/or technology needed to complete a Series.  
  • Phonics Support - Support with the technical phonics and phonemic awareness content being taught in the videos.
  • Note: It’s important to determine which kind of support students need so that they may make progress independently in the future. If students don’t understand how to complete a task, but are only ever supported with the phonics rules, they will continue to ask questions when asked to complete the same task with new content in a later series.
• Review Student Work to Determine which kind of support the student needs:
  • To determine if a student needs Process Support:
    • Ensure students know how to locate the workbook they have been assigned and how to access the video instruction. Ask Students to show you the workbook they are supposed to complete and to explain how to complete their work.
    • Ensure they are completing their practice. Review student workbooks, if you notice large portions of blank or missing work, students may need support with how to complete the tasks to demonstrate their learning.
• To determine if a student needs Phonics Support:
  • Ensure students are clear on all portions of the Structure Support session above.
  • Ensure students know how to locate key information on their workbooks and in the videos. Ask students to locate key information like learning targets and coaching tips.
  • Ask students to tell you recent phonics or spelling rules they have worked on in unlock phonics. Students who struggle to articulate recent rules may need more specific support with those skills.                                                                                                                            
• Check that students know when to pause work and go back to the video for additional instruction before completing tasks.

Step 2: Process Support

• If a student’s work shows they might benefit from Process Support, begin with process support before moving on to Phonics support.
• Review the Sessions and Tasks with Students:
  • Remind students that their independent work is important practice for their series check. As they practice sounding out and spelling words using the rules they learn in the videos, they  are training their brains to spell that pattern accurately in the future when it appears in new words.
  • Implement a “Quick Check” system where students show that work is complete at the end of their UP time. Emphasize completeness as a value of practice, rather than full accuracy to enhance motivation.
  • In small groups or one-on-one, review the various tasks for Sessions A, B, and C to ensure students understand what they are expected to complete independently.
    • Begin by watching the directions videos (available via link and QR code in the workbooks).
    • Use the Unlock Phonics Structure Mini Lesson plans and slide decks to review how to complete the tasks.
  • If a student can explain how to complete a task and/or what the purpose of the task is, but are still decoding and encoding inaccurately in their independent work or on their Serier’s Check, provide phonics support in small groups or one-on-one.  

Step 3: Phonics Support

• If a student’s work shows that they are completing tasks but have gaps in understanding the phonics content, they may need targeted instruction from the teacher to reinforce their learning.
• Use the Teacher Guided Phonics Support Lesson Plan and Teacher Tool Kit to plan and conduct one-on-one or small group mini-lessons for key phonemic skills students did not master in their Series Check.