How to Use Decodable Books in a Structured Literacy Classroom

Knowing why decodable books work is one thing. Knowing how to use them in a real classroom, with 25 students at different levels, is another. This guide walks through the practical steps to integrate decodable books into a structured literacy programme.

Step 1: Know Your Phonics Sequence

Decodable books only work when they're matched to what's been taught. If you're using UFLI Foundations, your books should align to UFLI's scope and sequence. Other widely used structured literacy programmes include iDeal and The Code (Liz Kane) in New Zealand, Sounds-Write and MiniLit in Australia, and LETRS and 95 Percent Group in the US.

Step 2: Assess Before You Assign

Before placing a reader in a decodable book level, do a quick phonics assessment: Which sounds and patterns have they been explicitly taught? Which patterns do they decode accurately vs. with effort? Which high-frequency words do they know by sight? The reader's instructional level is where they can decode most words with some effort, not the level where everything is easy or where they're guessing.

Step 3: Build the Reading Routine

Decodable books work best in a consistent routine: Pre-read: introduce any new high-frequency words before reading; First read: reader reads aloud, you note errors without interrupting; Discuss: brief comprehension check (1-2 questions); Re-read: second reading for fluency and confidence; Take home: re-reading the same book builds automaticity.

Step 4: Respond to Errors Correctly

When a reader makes a decoding error, resist the urge to say 'what does the picture show?' or 'does that make sense?' Instead, prompt them to use their fingers. Finger spelling is a multisensory tool that supports blending: each finger represents a sound. Ask the reader to finger spell the word, blending each sound in sequence. When they get it right, praise the effort specifically, then build fluency by saying: "Now go back to the start of that sentence and make it sound like you're talking." This keeps the reader anchored in phonics, builds confidence, and connects decoding to natural reading flow.

Step 5: Track Progress and Move Up

Keep a simple record of each reader's current decodable book level and the phonics patterns they've mastered. Move readers up when they can read at their current level with 95%+ accuracy. Innerlinks decodable books include clear level indicators so you always know exactly where a reader sits in the sequence. Shop by level at innerlinks.info.