Our 5-minute daily routine covers quick daily drilling. This is the fuller version — 15 minutes, a few times a week, that adds an actual book and conversation. Here's the minute-by-minute script.
| Minutes | Activity |
|---|---|
| 0-2 | Warm-up: quick review of 5-6 already-known sounds or words |
| 2-7 | Focused practice: the 1-2 sounds or patterns currently being learned |
| 7-13 | Read a decodable book together, using the previewing/re-reading approach |
| 13-15 | Talk about the story — what happened, what they liked |
Minute-by-minute script
- 0-2 min — Warm-up. Flash through 5-6 sounds or words already mastered, fast and light — this is a confidence-builder, not new teaching.
- 2-7 min — Focused practice. Whatever sound or pattern is currently being learned — use the phoneme map for audio if needed.
- 7-13 min — Read together. Preview any tricky words first, then read a decodable book — see our guide to using decodable readers for the specific technique.
- 13-15 min — Talk about it. Ask what happened in the story, not how the reading went — ends the session on enjoyment, not evaluation.
This doesn't replace daily practice
Use the 5-minute routine daily for consistency, and this fuller 15-minute version 2-4 times a week when there's a bit more time — the two work together rather than competing.