Curriculum
Learning to read is the most important thing that happens in first grade. Reading Roots makes sure every child gets there.
What is Reading Roots?
Reading Roots is a comprehensive, evidence-based beginning reading curriculum for first grade – written, developed, and published by Success for All. It combines systematic phonics instruction, Shared Story reading, partner practice, and writing in a fast-paced, structured lesson that gives every first grader a strong and confident start as a reader.
Reading Roots sequences every skill deliberately: phonics connects directly to what students are reading, vocabulary is built in context, and comprehension develops alongside decoding from the very first lessons.
What happens in a
Reading Roots Classroom?
Every Reading Roots lesson follows the Cycle of Effective Instruction: explicit teaching, structured peer practice, real-time assessment, and celebration of progress. Students aren't passive. They're reading aloud to partners, practicing phonics with each other, retelling stories, and writing every day.
At the heart of every lesson is the Shared Story. Shared Stories are carefully sequenced decodable books that allow students to read real, engaging stories from their very first weeks of instruction, even when they know only a handful of letter sounds. The student text uses only letters and words already taught; the teacher text adds meaning and context.
As the year progresses, student text increases and teacher text diminishes — scaffolding independence one story at a time. Students read each story multiple times: with teacher guidance, with a partner, and independently, building fluency, confidence, and the experience of finishing a real book.
Phonics instruction happens through FastTrack Phonics, embedded in every lesson and delivered through animations, puppet skits, colorful picture cards, and partner practice — giving students the repetition phonics requires without losing engagement.
The result is a classroom where every child experiences success as a reader — from the very first lesson.
Inside a Reading Roots lesson
Phonemic awareness and phonics – FastTrack Phonics
Systematic, fast-paced phonics instruction embedded in every lesson. More than 60 graphemes introduced sequentially, each revisited extensively once taught. Color mnemonic cards, Alphie the puppet, animations, and daily partner practice give students the repetition phonics requires. FastTrack Phonics is also available as a standalone phonics intervention.
Shared Story reading
Students read real, decodable stories from the very first weeks of instruction. Each Shared Story is carefully sequenced so the text uses only sounds and words already taught — students experience the pride of finishing a real book long before they've mastered every phoneme. Stories are read with teacher guidance, then with partners, then independently.
Partner practice – Practice with Cleo and Theo
A game-based digital environment that matches practice to the Shared Story currently being taught. Students build fluency, phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension through interactive activities — always working at the level they need.
Writing – Adventures in Writing
Daily structured writing practice that builds the connection between reading and writing from the very beginning. Students write at the word, sentence, and paragraph level, with teacher feedback built into each lesson.
Vocabulary and oral language – Story Telling and Retelling (STaR)
Every lesson includes a children's literature read-aloud — fiction and nonfiction — to build vocabulary, oral language, and comprehension through structured discussion and retelling.
Knowledge building
Between the Lions, the award-winning PBS literacy series, is embedded in Reading Roots lessons, building background knowledge and vocabulary while reinforcing phonics and reading skills in an engaging media format.
What's in the Reading Roots classroom?
Reading Roots includes everything teachers need: detailed lesson guides, student materials, decodable texts, trade books, digital lesson support, and assessment tools so teachers can focus on teaching, not sourcing.
At the heart of the curriculum are the Shared Stories and lessons enriched with animations, video skits, and partner practice that make phonics instruction engaging, memorable, and effective.
What's in the Reading Roots classroom?
"Trust the process. As a teacher with many years of experience and a master's in reading, I had many questions. It works!"
Alyssa Roadman
SFA partner school
How does Reading Roots
connect to the rest of SFA's curriculum?
Students who complete Reading Roots enter Reading Wings with a solid phonics foundation, strong decoding skills, growing vocabulary, and the cooperative learning habits that make the transition to more complex texts seamless.
Learn more: SFA: KinderCorner | SFA: Reading Wings | Curriculum Overview
Ready to bring SFA's complete literacy curriculum to your school?
Start a conversation to learn how the SFA model works, what implementation looks like, and whether your school qualifies for scholarship support.
