What do students need to know before they are ready to work in the first GATE for Phonics level?
Beginning readers who know the letters of the alphabet, have some knowledge of the letter sounds, and can recognize as few as 15 to 20 words can begin a Read Naturally program that uses GATE (Group and Tutoring Edition) level .8 materials (early first grade). That’s because GATE programs are designed for direct instruction of fluency and phonics in teacher-led small groups.
Students do not need to know the behaviors required for each activity before beginning the first lesson. The students will learn the process by participating in each lesson. However, the first few lessons may take longer than later lessons because the students will be learning behaviors required for GATE for Phonics during the early lessons.
Knowing 30–50 sight words is a good rule of thumb before students enter level .8 or 1.0 in ME and SE, since students in those programs work independently.
Which words should beginning readers be able to read? You can refer
to one of several lists of the most frequently used words for beginning
readers, such as the one on the
Mid-continent
Research for Education and Learning website.