Decodable Books for Kindergarten: A Teacher’s Guide

If you teach kindergarten, you’ve probably heard a lot about decodable books lately. They’ve become one of the biggest topics in early literacy, and for good reason.

Decodables give young readers the chance to apply their phonics skills and experience that magical “I can read!” moment.

But many teachers and parents are still unsure about giving them a try. Here’s the truth: decodable books don’t have to feel mechanical or dull. When used intentionally, they can spark joy, curiosity, and confidence in every early reader.

Why Decodable Books Matter

When children first start reading, they’re learning to connect sounds to letters. This process allows them to build both phonemic awareness and phonics knowledge. 

Decodable books let them practice those connections in meaningful, connected text. Instead of guessing from pictures or memorizing sight words, students get to decode words they already know how to build. This repeated success is what helps them grow into confident, independent readers.

 

 

 What Makes a Good Decodable Book

Not every book labeled “decodable” truly supports early readers.

Here’s what I look for when designing and choosing books for my students

• Aligned to a clear phonics scope and sequence: Texts include the sound-spelling patterns already taught.

• Limited irregular words: Keeps the focus on decoding, not guessing.

• Authentic, fun, and meaningful sentences: Stories flow naturally, supporting comprehension and fluency.

• Engaging illustrations: Visuals reinforce understanding and interest without replacing the decoding process.

When decodables are designed with these elements in mind, students practice decoding while loving the reading process.

 How to Use Decodables 

Here’s a step-by-step structure that reflects best practices promoting both accuracy and understanding:

1. Pre-teach the target phonics skill.
   Explicitly model the new sound-spelling pattern before reading.

2. Phonemic awareness warm-up.
   Practice blending and segmenting words with the target sound (orally only—no print yet).

3. Guided decoding.
   Guide students through decoding each word, prompting sound-by-sound blending when needed.

4. Reread for fluency.
   Have students reread the same decodable to develop automaticity and phrasing.

5. Discuss meaning and vocabulary.
   Reinforce comprehension by asking questions about the story, connecting to background knowledge, or retelling key details.

6. Extend with writing.
   Encourage students to apply the target pattern in dictation or a short written response.

 

Growing Readers Decodable Kits (English & Spanish)

If you’re looking for structured, Science of Reading–aligned resources that take the guesswork out of planning, explore the Growing Readers Decodable Kits (available in English and Spanish)

Each kit includes:

• Beautifully illustrated decodable books

• Lesson plans for both large and small-group instruction

• Knowledge, fluency, and comprehension extensions

• Multisensory phonics games and teacher tools

• Students writing journals with built-in prompts
• E-book library

Our decodables have been vetted by The Reading League. They have been designed by classroom educators and reading specialists. They are not just another set of phonic books, they connect with real classroom practice. You can trust that every story is developmentally appropriate, phonics aligned, and classroom tested.

If you’re not ready for a full kit, individual decodable books are also available to target specific reading skills. These sets are a great supplement to any phonics program.

When we combine systematic instruction with joyful reading, the magic truly happens. These phonics materials are designed to help students become confident, expressive readers while keeping your prep time manageable. 

 FREE DECODABLE POEMS