Does blended learning work with a phonics curriculum for young learners? Yes! Blended learning differs from traditional teaching models because it utilizes technology to supplement learning. It encourages personalized learning experiences and yields better learning outcomes. With the right tools, blended learning can make phonics instruction easier for teachers and more fun for students!
The Essentials of Blended Learning
What is it about blended learning that really works for a classroom phonics curriculum?
Essentially, blended learning includes:
- Web-based content and instruction
Students connect to some form of online programming. This does not mean that students have the freedom to explore the Internet on their own! It simply means that the program or portal that the student is using is supported by the web. When using these programs, children move through the phonics curriculum in organized and tiered lessons.
- Devices that accommodate self-paced learning
In order to access web-based programs, students need to use computers or tablets. However, their screen time is monitored and controlled, particularly for young learners. In fact, in order to maximize learning outcomes, screen time should be limited to only one lesson per day.
When it comes to phonics, working on computers or tablets allows children to move through activities at their own pace. They have the option to review instructions, repeat exercises and practice as much as they would like in order to fully understand the material. This creates a stress-free learning experience and allows kids to build confidence!
- Integrated learning experience
Blended learning is dynamic and engaging – and it also serves those learners who need a different methods of instruction. Using multiple ways to teach your phonics curriculum not only reaches more students, but also reinforces essential learning outcomes.
According to a study conducted by the Center for Digital Education, over 70 percent of schools that elevated their traditional teaching methods to the blended learning model have seen great results. Students are more engaged and retain more information, while teachers know more about how their students learn.
Professor Pup’s Academy Makes Blended Teaching Simple for Teachers
Professor Pup’s Academy programs work perfectly in the classroom with a blended learning approach. Reading scientists, teachers and experts have all weighed in to design our programs for early learners. Our phonics curriculum has been carefully crafted and uses the best method to teach reading skills.
When it comes to teaching a phonics curriculum, you might have some concerns. Some teachers have not received adequate training in phonics instruction. Those who want to learn often lack the time and resources needed to create their own phonics curriculum. Ultimately, these teachers feel ill-prepared to teach any phonics curriculum or reading skills to young learners.
Any teacher can use our programs with no additional training or instruction. Our programs have phonics curriculum built in, so they are ready to use any time you want. From beginning to end, you can use Professor Pup to teach your students how to read.
Why Professor Pup’s Academy Works for Early Learners in Your Classroom
We made our programs easy for students to navigate, fun to play and effective at teaching. When students complete the program, they complete their phonics curriculum and have acquired all the skills necessary to read.
All of our programs deliver:
- Tiered and scaffolded lessons
Professor Pup’s programs are tiered and scaffolded. Because reading is not a natural skill, teaching reading must be very clear and explicit. Each lesson has a specific learning objective, and we start with the easiest first.
We start with the smallest part of phonics—phonemes—and build upon previous lessons. For example, when students learn about the phoneme /k/, Professor Pup appears and introduces the phoneme covered in the lesson. Then, he provides plenty of examples of where we might find the phoneme.
Once students are familiar with the phoneme, we move onto a set of activities and exercises that build phonemic awareness on that particular phoneme. Over time, and as students progress through the lessons, their phonemic awareness grows stronger and stronger. This makes learning how to read accessible, focused and effective!
- Kid-friendly design and experience
Learning how to read can be overwhelming for kids. In order to reduce that stress, we made our phonics curriculum fun and engaging. Plus, we made the program simple to navigate, so students require minimal supervision. Early learners complete activities and lessons with the guidance of Professor Pup and his memorable crew of friends. With vibrant animation and supportive encouragement, our programs keep students feeling positive while they learn to read.
- Progress reports
One of the best perks of blended learning is that teachers receive metrics measuring students’ progress. As students complete each lesson, you receive feedback on exactly where each student is in the phonics curriculum, as well as their areas of struggle. This insight allows you to understand which skills to reinforce for each student – and for your class as a whole.
Elevate Your Classroom with Phonics Curriculum from Professor Pup
Ultimately, we want every child to have access to high quality phonics curriculum, and we use technology to make that happen. Professor Pup’s programs work perfectly for teachers using a blended learning approach in the classroom. They work perfectly for students, too. It is an excellent way to introduce early learners to the wonderful world of reading.
To learn more about how to implement Professor Pup’s Academy in your classroom, visit our School Edition page. (Bonus! We offer all teachers a free 30-day trial of our programs.)