GrapeSEED’s Phonics Approach and the Science of Reading

February 2nd, 2026

If you’re in education, you know that there has been endless debate around the subject of phonics:  whether to teach it, how to teach it, and how often to teach it. Fortunately, reading scientists seem to have finally put this debate to rest, and the research findings are clear! Students that receive phonics instruction in the classroom and during a consistent, designated intervention time have a serious advantage over those that do not receive phonics instruction (Chapman, Greaney, & Turner, 2015; National Reading Panel, 2000; Snow, Burns, & Griffin, 1998). With the GrapeSEED curriculum, our approach to phonics instruction is powerful, unique, gets results, and aligns with The Science of Reading’s framework.

What does this all mean for our English Language Learner students? Well, “If students cannot decode printed English, they cannot comprehend it. If students cannot comprehend spoken English, they cannot comprehend written English either” (Moats & Tolman, 2020). So, let’s dig a little deeper. Phonics can be defined as any method of teaching reading by associating letters (called ‘phonograms’) and letter combinations with their sounds (which are called ‘phonemes’). Think about it this way; a phonogram is one unit of sound represented by a single letter or a combination of two, three or four letters in English. A single phonogram may have more than one sound, and a single sound may have more than one phonogram ( say that 3-times, fast )! For example, ‘a’ has four different sounds. Similarly, ‘a’, ‘ay’ and ‘eigh’ are three different phonograms that share the same sound. Phewph!

phonogram card a.pngphonogram word card.pngA picture containing text, screenshot, cartoon, illustration Description automatically generatedWith GrapeSEED’s unique Vertical Phonics approach, children learn single & multi letter phonograms as well as all of their possible sounds at the same time, within the context of vibrant, controlled vocabulary and shared reading poems, and in the order of frequency that they occur in English. You can rest assured that when you’re using the GrapeSEED curriculum, you are providing your students with engaging teacher-led activities and providing explicit and systematic instruction that will actively lead them toward mastering letters and sounds, blending, and decoding in a way that’s developmentally appropriate, immediately useful, and that, again, fits perfectly with The Science of Reading framework. 

With GrapeSEED’s research-based, natural oral language acquisition curriculum, you will be:

  • Providing your students with the explicit phonics instruction they need
  • Building their ‘memory bank’ of English vocabulary, language structure, and comprehension
  • Using the context of fun & catchy songs, stories, chants, action activities, shared reading, and more.

Ready to say goodbye to watching your students struggle to speak, decipher, and make sense of English, and hello to seeing them soar? Contact us today to get started!

Smiles, Snacks, And Sanity A Self-Care Guide for Teachers

February 3, 2026
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.

New Year, Clearer Path: Decluttering for Stronger Language Learning

January 20, 2026
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!

Midyear Glow-Up: Refreshing Routines in Your Classroom!

December 11, 2025
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.

Meet AI, Your New Teaching Assistant!

December 2, 2025
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 !
Show More