GrapeSEED’s Phonemic Awareness Approach and the Science of Reading
February 2nd, 2026
What’s the first step in language acquisition? Learning to hear and form new sounds that will eventually lead to producing language! The technical term here is ‘phonemic awareness’, but what it boils down to is being able to recognize and manipulate sounds within the context of words. Be it a toddler beginning to put sounds together as they learn to talk, or an older child or adult learning a second or even third language, the ability to hear distinct sounds within words and the ability to reproduce those sounds is all part of the process.
Our English learner students have already established a known language…their home language… and are now expected to learn the phonology of a new language. Day in and day out, they begin to learn and process English. While lots goes into this, one of our responsibilities as teachers is very clear: as mentioned above, English learners must be taught to hear and form phonograms, aka: have phonemic awareness. The need for phonemic awareness is an integral part of the research-based Science of Reading, is a best practice, and is also a fundamental skill that just makes sense. Does this feel a little overwhelming? Don’t you worry… with GrapeSEED it’s simple!
Let’s break it down:
- First, GrapeSEED uses a carefully integrated platform called vertical phonics. With vertical phonics, students learn all the sounds of a letter or letter combination at one time and in the order of frequency, with those that are used most often presented first. Why is this important? Because students learn to associate letters ( phonograms ) with the sounds they represent ( phonemes ). Over time, students learn to read and write by assembling the phonograms that they’re being exposed to. Learning the second, third, and fourth sounds of certain phonograms increases the number of words that are decodable, reducing the need for guessing. With GrapeSEED’s repeated practice and systematic review, students memorize the phoneme-phonogram relationships to the point where they can automatically respond with the proper phoneme when shown both single AND multi-letter phonograms.
- One of the many things that makes GrapeSEED’s vertical phonics approach so effective is that phonemic awareness begins day one of Unit 1 and is a featured part of each & every lesson.
- Let’s keep in mind another unique feature…GrapeSEED lessons are all teacher-led! Live, in-person instruction is impactful for countless reasons, and in this case, it allows teachers to direct students’ attention to what the mouth is doing. This can make a huge impact on pronunciation, which falls under the umbrella of phonemic awareness.
- Because GrapeSEED knows the critical importance of meaningful repetition, students are provided with gobs of opportunities to practice hearing the differences among sounds, again providing multiple opportunities for recognizing and producing those sounds correctly.
- With all of this teaching and learning going on, GrapeSEED keeps it feeling natural, joyful, and confidence-building! In addition to our components that help students build the bridge to reading and writing---phonogram cards, phonogram words cards, poems, and big books, which allow students to develop phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and comprehension skills---our student app also helps children acquire fluency of language through repeated exposure and practice!
Ready to give your English learner students the opportunity to flourish with an oral language acquisition curriculum that already embeds the Science of Reading framework? Just click here to get started today!
If you’re an elementary teacher working with multilingual learners, you already know your work is full of heart, hustle, and highlighters. But let’s be honest—supporting language learners takes a lot of energy. That’s why self-care isn’t a luxury. It’s a must. You’re juggling language development, academic growth, cultural connection, and emotional support. And while your students are growing every day, you need time to recharge, too. Here’s a quick self-care recipe to keep your cup full: 🧡 Smiles: Find Joy in the Little Things Celebrate the small wins: a new vocabulary word, a student’s laugh, a kind moment. Write one highlight on a sticky note each day. It’s a mood booster—and a reminder that you’re making a difference. 🍎 Snacks: Fuel Your Body (and Soul) Don’t skip lunch! Keep a stash of healthy snacks (and maybe a treat or two) nearby. Food is fuel, and sometimes chocolate is emotional first aid. 🧠 Sanity: Protect Your Peace Say no to that extra committee if you’re overwhelmed. Take 5 minutes to breathe or stretch between lessons. Step outside during a break of any kind, even for just a second or two. Talk to someone who “gets it”—sharing helps lighten the load. You Matter Your students need you AND they also need you to be okay. When you take care of yourself, you’re showing them how to care for themselves, too. So go ahead, teacher: smile, snack, and protect your sanity. You can’t do it all , but you CAN do a lot more when you’re well. At GrapeSEED English for Children, we value teachers and work to make certain that those using our curriculum feel supported. With a personal Professional Learning Specialist that teaches can communicate with anytime, a teacher portal, on-demand PDs and so much more, we’ve got our teachers covered! Ready to learn more about getting started with GrapeSEED in YOUR classroom? Just click here for more information.
January is the season of decluttering, but in schools, it’s about clearing space for what truly matters! This month’s blog explores how thoughtful organization supports multilingual learners and why strong language systems are worth keeping. A little clarity now can create momentum that lasts all year… and beyond!
The new year is a perfect time for reflection and renewal—not just for us, but for our students, too. After a long winter break, January offers a natural opportunity to revisit and reinforce classroom routines and procedures, especially in multilingual classrooms where clarity and consistency are key to helping all students feel secure and successful. For multilingual learners, routines are more than just classroom management—they provide language-rich structures that support understanding, reduce anxiety, and foster confidence. Whether students are newcomers or have been learning English for years, a clear and predictable environment helps them focus on learning rather than guessing what’s expected. Start the month by gently reviewing procedures: entering the classroom, transitioning between activities, participating in group work, asking for help, and using classroom materials. Model each step and invite students to demonstrate, using visuals, gestures, and multilingual supports when possible. Pair verbal directions with pictures or sentence stems to help students connect words with actions. This not only aids comprehension, it builds community and shared responsibility. Remember, reviewing routines isn’t about enforcing rules—it’s about resetting the tone for a peaceful, productive, and joyful classroom. Make space for students to share what helps them learn best and celebrate the positive habits they already bring with them. By investing time in January to revisit expectations with warmth and intention, you're setting the stage for a second half of the school year filled with growth, laughter, and learning—for every student, in every language.
In today’s classrooms, elementary school teachers juggle countless responsibilities—planning engaging lessons, managing behavior, communicating with families, and differentiating instruction for every learner. Fortunately, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is opening up a world of support tools that can help educators reclaim valuable time while still meeting the diverse needs of their students. Lesson Planning, Simplified AI tools and other educator-focused platforms can generate customized, standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes. Whether you're teaching reading comprehension, performing science experiments, or developing math centers, AI can help you brainstorm activities, create differentiated tasks, and suggest formative assessments—all tailored to your students’ grade level and learning goals. Behavior Intervention Plans Made Easier Creating thoughtful, individualized behavior intervention plans (BIPs) often requires collaboration and time that’s hard to find. With the right prompts, AI can assist by generating plan templates, suggesting positive reinforcement strategies, and even helping you write goal-specific language that’s clear and professional. This allows for quicker implementation and better support for student growth. Boosting Communication with Families Need to send home a weekly newsletter, a classroom update, or a quick note in family-friendly language? AI can help you write clear, respectful, and engaging messages in seconds—and even translate them into multiple languages. This promotes stronger school-home connections without adding to your workload. More Than Just Words AI isn’t just about writing. It can generate visual aids, adapt texts for different reading levels, offer creative ideas for classroom themes, or even draft rubrics and anchor charts. When used responsibly, AI becomes a teaching assistant in your pocket—offering fresh ideas and saving you time. A Word of Caution—and Empowerment AI isn’t a magic wand, and it doesn’t replace the care, creativity, and wisdom that teachers bring to the classroom. But when used thoughtfully, it can remove some of the mental load and help you focus on what matters most: building relationships, inspiring learners, and making a lasting impact. AI can be a game-changing tool for educators—not by replacing the human touch, but by enhancing it. With the right approach, you can use AI to create, communicate, and collaborate more efficiently—without sacrificing quality. Just as AI can support teachers in the classroom, GrapeSEED does the same. From intentionally designed lesson plans to materials at your fingertips, to a results driven, joy filled curriculum for your language learner students, GrapeSEED has it all. Click here to learn more !
