The Productive Teacher

I use the latest in brain science research to create lessons that are engaging for students and easy for teachers.

There are tons of activities, presentations, and reading passages to help teach (and learn) a variety of topics! Click the topics to learn more!

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3 min

Decoding the Long A Sound

We already know that the letter a makes the long /a/ sound at the end of open syllables. There are other letter combinations that also...

3 min

Decoding Consonant + LE Syllables

Consonant + LE syllables are a type of final stable syllable. We hear the sound of the consonant and the /l/ sound. The e is silent....

3 min

The /F/ Sound

We have already learned that the letter f can make the /f/ sound. There are other letters that also make the /f/ sound. Introduce the /F/...

2 min

Decoding Open Syllables

Open syllables end with a single vowel that says its name. The letter y can make the long /i/ sound in an open syllable. It can sometimes...

3 min

Decoding the Long U VCE Syllable

A VCE syllable has a vowel-consonant-silent e pattern. The vowel makes its long sound because of the silent e. All of the vowels have VCE...

3 min

Decoding the Long O VCE Syllable

A VCE syllable has a vowel-consonant-silent e pattern. The vowel makes its long sound because of the silent e. All of the vowels have VCE...

3 min

Decoding the Long I VCE Syllable

A VCE syllable has a vowel-consonant-silent e pattern. The vowel makes its long sound because of the silent e. All of the vowels have VCE...

3 min

Decoding the Long E VCE Syllable

A VCE syllable has a vowel-consonant-silent e pattern. The vowel makes its long sound because of the silent e. All of the vowels have VCE...

3 min

Decoding the Soft G Sound

The most common sound of the letter g is the /g/ sound. This is the hard g sound. The letter g also makes the /j/ sound. This is the soft...

3 min

Decoding the Soft C Sound

The most common sound of the letter c is the /k/ sound. The letter c also makes the /s/ sound. The cat and kite rule is a helpful way to...

3 min

Decoding the Sounds of the Letter Y

The letter y makes many different sounds. As a consonant, y makes the /y/ sound. The letter y can also make vowel sounds. In fact, the...

3 min

Decoding the Long A VCE Syllable

A VCE syllable has a vowel-consonant-silent e pattern. The vowel makes its long sound because of the silent e. All of the vowels have VCE...

3 min

Decoding the Trigraph DGE

The trigraph dge makes the /j/ sound after a short vowel. Introducing the Trigraph DGE Look at the pictures below and point to the...

3 min

Decoding the Trigraph TCH

The trigraph tch makes the /ch/ sound after a short vowel. Introducing the Trigraph TCH Look at the pictures below and point to the...

3 min

Decoding the Letter X

The sound of the letter x is the /ks/ sound. Introducing the Letter X Look at the pictures below and point to the letter making /ks/...

3 min

Decoding the Voiced TH Sound

One of the sounds of the digraph th is the voiced /th/ sound. Introducing the Voiced TH Sound Look at the pictures below and point to the...

3 min

Decoding the Unvoiced TH Sound

One of the sounds of the digraph th is the unvoiced /th/ sound. Introducing Unvoiced TH Look at the pictures below and point to the...

3 min

Decoding the Letter Z

The sound of the letter z is the /z/ sound. Introducing the Letter Z Look at the pictures below and point to the letter making /z/ sound....

3 min

Decoding the Letter Y

The consonant sound of the letter y is the /y/ sound. The letter y more commonly makes vowel sounds. You will learn more about the...

3 min

Decoding the Digraph CH

The most common sound of the digraph ch is the /ch/ sound. Introducing the Digraph CH Look at the pictures below and point to the letters...