Choosing and Using Decodable Texts

by Wiley Blevins

In this must-have follow-up to his landmark best-seller Phonics From A to Z , Wiley Blevins explains why quality decodable texts are an essential early learning tool and how to distinguish the good from the bad. This resource offers practical lessons and routines for using decodable texts to build children’s phonics and fluency skills, as well as tips on selecting strong decodable texts and what to do if you don’t have any. Includes fun and engaging reproducible decodable mini-books.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

About the author

Wiley Blevins is an American author and educator whose work has had a lasting impact on early literacy and children’s publishing. He began his career as a classroom teacher in the United States and Ecuador before moving into educational publishing, where he spent more than two decades writing and editing reading programs for elementary schools. A specialist in phonics and literacy instruction, he has written numerous books for young readers as well as influential guides for teachers. Blevins has also held senior roles in major publishing houses, most recently serving as Senior Vice President and Associate Publisher at Reycraft Books, a children’s imprint dedicated to authors and illustrators from under-represented communities. Based in New York City since 1995, he continues to write, teach, and consult while pursuing a lifelong passion for travel. His work reflects his commitment to helping children become confident readers and to supporting teachers with practical, classroom-tested materials.

Reviews

[Johannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful ideas and activities laid out in a simple manner. I feel like a free article would have sufficed, no need to make this into a book.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once you’ve read one of Wiley’s books, you’ve read them all!

[Alex Laue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and easy overview of decodable readers, their defining characteristics and how they can be used in classrooms.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is easy to read and includes practical resources and ideas as well as many decodable books and lesson plans.