πŸ”₯ Day 1 UFLI Foundations

Reading Quest β€” Lesson 1 Day 1

a says /Δƒ/

Official UFLI Toolbox Lessons 1–34 β†—

Tip: open the Lesson 1 slide deck alongside this page if you have it.

Junie

Parent-led steps Β· ~25 min

~25 min
1

Phonemic Awareness

~3 minutes Β· no letters yet
3:00
Say this

We’re going to play with sounds β€” just our ears, no letters yet.

  • Blend: Listen: /Δƒ/ … /t/. What’s the word? β†’ at
  • Listen: /Δƒ/ … /m/. β†’ am
  • Listen: /s/ … /Δƒ/. β†’ sa (just the sounds)
  • Segment: Say at. What sounds do you hear? β†’ /Δƒ/ /t/
Watch for
Kids hearing the short vowel as a clipped /Δƒ/ (like in apple), not the letter name β€œay.”
2

Visual Drill

~2 minutes
2:00
Say this

I’ll show you a letter. You say the sound it makes β€” fast!

  • Show a β†’ kids say /Δƒ/
  • Keep it snappy. Repeat a few times.
Flash
a β†’ /Δƒ/
Watch for
Sound only β€” correct if they say the letter name β€œay.” Prompt: β€œWhat’s the sound?”
3

Auditory Drill

~2 minutes
2:00
Say this

I’ll say a sound. You write the letter in the air (or on the table with a finger).

  • Hear /Δƒ/ β†’ air-write a
  • Say the sound while you write it.
Watch for
Correct letter formation of a. Keep linking sound ↔ letter.
4

Blending Drill

~3 minutes
3:00
Say this

Let’s put sounds together. I’ll say them slowly; you blend them into a word (or word part).

  • /Δƒ/ /t/ β†’ at
  • /m/ /Δƒ/ β†’ ma
  • /Δƒ/ /p/ β†’ ap
Blend these
/Δƒ/ /t/ /m/ /Δƒ/ /Δƒ/ /p/
Watch for
Smooth blending into one word β€” not chopping each sound forever. Stretch, then say it fast.
5

New Concept

~10–12 minutes
12:00
Say this

Today’s new idea: the letter a says /Δƒ/ β€” like the first sound in apple.

  • Point to a. β€œThis letter says /Δƒ/. Not its name β€˜ay’ β€” its sound.”
  • Practice reading: at, am, as
  • For each word: sound it out left to right, then say the whole word.
Practice words
at am as
Watch for
Sounding out β€” not guessing from pictures or first letter. If they say β€œay,” pause and remodel /Δƒ/.

Wally

Quick playful cool-down

~5 min

🍎 Apple echo + robot talk

Echo: You say /Δƒ/ (apple sound). Kids echo /Δƒ/. Do it a few times β€” silly voices welcome.

Robot: Break β€œapple” into robot talk, then smash it back together:

/Δƒ/ Β· p Β· ple β†’ apple!

Keep it playful only β€” celebrate the /Δƒ/ sound. No pressure to read yet.

How did it go?

Tap one β€” then copy a note for the coach

πŸ…
Streak badge: Day 1 Reading Quest unlocked. See you next session!