308. Phonics & Phonemic Awareness: Closing Gaps in Upper Elementary

Your Literacy Block: Part 3If you've ever wondered whether phonemic awareness and phonics still matter in upper elementary, this episode is for you!While these foundational skills are often associated with primary grades, many students in third, fourth, and fifth grade continue to struggle because of gaps in their word recognition skills. In this episode, we're unpacking the difference between phonemic awareness and phonics, why both are essential for reading success, and how teachers can provide targeted support without overhauling their entire literacy block.In this episode, we'll discuss:The difference between phonemic awareness and phonicsWhy foundational reading skills still matter in grades 3–5How gaps in word recognition impact fluency and comprehensionScarborough’s Reading Rope and the role of word recognitionPractical phonemic awareness activities for upper elementary studentsEffective phonics routines and instructional strategiesWays to provide targeted support without adding more to your plateResources Mentioned:⭐The Stellar Literacy Collective: stellarteacher.com/slc