Steve’s Corner
5 Starts
by Steve Tattum

The F.A.S.T. Program does not begin all students at the same place. We give students credit for whatever they’ve learned in other phonetic programs. We also recognize that some students do not need phonics at all, and can be moved directly to whole language, which is our fifth start. The first start just teaches a few consonants and 1-3 short vowels initially. The second start checks all the consonants, teaches consonant diagraphs, and all the short vowels. The third start teaches open/closed silent e syllables, checks the sounds of the second start, and teaches how to break words into syllables. There are different books for this start and the student is starting 1/3 of the way into the program. The fourth start covers the entire F.A.S.T. program in six sessions. The fifth start focuses on speed of reading and interest of reading, using whole language techniques that include making contracts with students.

1. First Steps: F.A.S.T. Steps
Level 2 & 3 for 1 month 3 vowels & mouth positions

2. Phonological Start
Check consonants & teams -teach syllables -short vowels

3. Orthographic (orthographic book)
Open, closed, silent e -  check phonological start -Teach vowel tag & changing

4. Intermediate Orthographic
Orthographic opening  Stop   light sheet

5. Fluency
Phrasing  gum reading  timed   readings  reading workshop

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