Kindergarten & First Grade Phonics Engagement Bundle

Moderation state
funded
Grant Applicant
Crystal Danielle Bailey
Grant Co-applicants
Megan Schwartz, Holly Williamson, Erica Allstadt
School Site
Donner Trail Elementary
Grant Category
Literacy
Grant Date
2026-06-09T12:00:00
Description

This project will provide a Phonics Engagement Bundle for kindergarten and first grade students designed to support early literacy development through multisensory, hands-on learning. The bundle will include:

These materials will support small group instruction, literacy centers, and targeted phonics intervention, allowing students to practice foundational reading skills through play-based and tactile learning experiences.

By combining visual, tactile, and auditory learning, this bundle will make phonics instruction more accessible and engaging for early readers with diverse learning styles.

Benefits of Program

Early literacy skills are critical predictors of future academic success. Many young learners benefit from explicit phonics instruction paired with hands-on materials that make abstract concepts concrete.

This program will benefit students by:

  • Increasing engagement and motivation during phonics instruction
     
  • Supporting multisensory learning, which benefits diverse learners and emerging readers
     
  • Strengthening phonemic awareness and decoding skills through interactive practice
     
  • Building confidence in early readers as they experience success with decodable text
     
  • Encouraging collaborative learning through literacy centers and partner reading
     

The plush characters and manipulatives will help transform phonics practice into a playful, memorable experience, which is especially beneficial for kindergarten and first grade students who learn best through exploration and interaction.

These materials will also provide additional support for students who may need extra practice with foundational literacy skills, helping close early reading gaps.

Success of Program

The anticipated outcomes of this project include improvements in:

  • Phonemic awareness
     
  • Letter-sound recognition
     
  • Decoding of CVC words
     
  • Reading fluency with decodable text
     
  • Student engagement during literacy instruction
     

Student progress will be measured using:

  • LETRS Spelling Screener
     
  • CVC word decoding checks
     
  • Running records during small group reading
     
  • Teacher observation during literacy centers
     
  • Student participation and engagement during phonics activities
     

Growth will be monitored throughout the school year to determine how the materials support students in reaching grade-level reading benchmarks.

Implementation

The Phonics Engagement Bundle will be integrated into daily literacy instruction through:

Small Group Reading Instruction
 Teachers will use the phonics books and plush characters to introduce targeted phonics patterns and guide students through decodable reading practice.

Literacy Centers
 Students will rotate through hands-on phonics centers that include:

  • Word building with letter beads
     
  • Matching CVC objects to written words
     
  • Retelling phonics stories using plush characters
     

Targeted Intervention
 Students who need additional support will use the manipulatives during intervention time to practice blending, segmenting, and word building.

Independent Exploration
 Students will also have opportunities to explore the materials independently, reinforcing phonics skills through play and repetition.

Can you share this grant with your grade level or subject team?

This bundle can be shared and utilized in other classrooms where intervention support is needed. 

Sustainability
The materials requested in this project are durable, reusable, and designed for long-term classroom use.
Plush characters and manipulatives are sturdy and can be used for multiple years.

Letter beads and CVC objects can be incorporated into literacy centers year after year.

Phonics books will remain part of the classroom library and can be used with future classes.

Because these materials support multiple instructional strategies, they will continue to benefit students well beyond the initial implementation year. The versatility of the bundle allows teachers to adapt the materials to evolving student needs and literacy goals.
This investment will support many groups of young learners over time, helping build strong reading foundations for years to come.
Amount Funded
$360.00
Individual Budget Items(s)
$130 - Phonics Read Aloud Hardback Book Bundle
$13 - Rainbow CVC objects
$20 - Lace-a-Word Beads
$120 - Phonics Read Aloud Plush Teaching Companion Bundle
Shipping
$40.00
Taxes
$37.00
Other funding sources

I haven't looked into other options for funding this bundle at this time.