Christine Hjorth
An engaging and motivating children’s book about a cat and a rat, perfect for new readers with budding letter sound and decoding knowledge! This decodable book moves through 4 difficulty levels, based on phonics knowledge, and each chapter builds on the one before. Children are prompted to learn new skills, at an appropriate pace, to be able to go on to read the next chapter.STAGES books are formatted in a special way to have new readers focus on only decoding first. In these books, the text is on the right-hand side of the book, and the picture that matches that text is on the next page (instead of the text and picture being side by side). This is so the readers read the text alone, without the aid of a picture that may give them a clue as to what a word may be. After they read the text, they turn the page to confirm meaning of what they read and build engagement and enjoyment!Each story has comprehension questions, including one that helps the reader connect the story to their own life.For the phonics skills listed below, the book contains descriptions of what they mean (for example, a 'digraph' is two letters that when put together make a whole new sound. For example, ch, th, and sh).Story One, Pat and Tim: Phonics Skills: Consonants f, s, p, m, r, c, h, n, j, g, f, v, z; Short Vowels: a, i, o; High-Frequency Words: (None);Description: In this first story, the reader meets the characters Pat and Tim and learns some of the things they like to do together.Story Two, The Mad Pals: Phonics Skills: Add consonants w, x, b, d; Short Vowels: Add e; High-Frequency Words: the, to;Description: Now that the reader knows the characters, we move into a story about a time when the two friends were mad at each other. The reader reads to discover what the friends do to make things right with the other. Children can connect to the story with their own life and friends.Story Three, Off to the Sand: Phonics Skills: Add double consonants, beginning and ending blends, K sound spelled 'ck'; Short Vowels: Add u; Word Ending: -s; High-Frequency Words: have, of, go;Description: Pat and Tim spend a delightful day going on a day trip to the beach. After reading, the reader can practice recalling sequence while recalling all of the things the pals did in the sand and sun.Story Four, Flags: Phonics Skills: Add digraphs; High-Frequency Words: he, see, for, likes, make, theyDescription: In this final story of the book, Pat and Tim have craft time. They make flags for each other based on the things the other likes. The reader can answer the question, 'if a friend were making a flag for you, what would you want them to put on it?'Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is a 'decodable story'? A decodable story is one that a child can read based on the phonics skills and high-frequency words they have learned.What ages is this book suited for? Children near the end of Kindergarten and through First Grade will have typically learned these phonics skills and high-frequency words.Where can I find more decodable books like this? There are three other Stages Books currently on the market: The Pals’ Playtime and non-fiction books, Dogs and Spiders.
