What are Catch-up Readers?
Catch-up readers are decodable, systematic phonic reading books for older readers
Interest Age: 8 to 14+
80% of struggling readers have a gap in phonics knowledge. Phonics books fill in these missing gaps. They are designed for older students who may have already experienced reading failure. Since many of these students also experience loss of confidence and low self-esteem, Phonics Books develop confident, independent reading strategies.
Included in each series:
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- Systematic (sequenced) phonic progression
- Age-appropriate illustrations and story lines
- Reading practice page which prepares the student for reading the text
- Vocabulary page to develop receptive and expressive language
- Reader-friendly layout
Each of the series engage students in action-packed stories, while introducing step-by-step decodable phonics skills. Each series is supported by a photocopiable workbook (sold separately) that provides a variety of skill based activities.
To view the PhonicBooks Scope & Sequence, click the photo below
Totem Book Series
Written by Tami Reis-Frankfort and Illustrated by Drew Wilson
After being kidnapped by two men, Zak’s adventure begins, as his staff acquires special powers.
This series shares the same phonic progression as the Alba Series and can be used in parallel. Totem is a 12 book series, taking students from CVC and CVCC word level text, and progressing through adjacent consonants, consonant digraphs, and alternative vowel spellings. This adventure will appeal to older readers who struggle with reading and would benefit from a beginning phonics program. This series features one continuous story when read in sequence, with the conclusion in the final book.
Subject/Genre: Adventure/Fantasy
Ages: 8-14
Interest Level: Grades 2-8
Books: 12 Decodable Books Sold Together as a Complete Series
Phonic Skills Taught
- Book 1: CVC, CVCC
- Book 2: CVC, CVCC, CCVC
- Book 3: CVC, CVCC, CCVC, CCVCC
- Book 4: ‘sh’, ‘ch’, ‘th’
- Book 5: ‘ck’, ‘ng’, ‘qu’, ‘wh’, ‘le’, -ed
- Book 6: ‘ae’ (ai, ay, a-e, a)
- Book 7: ‘ee’ (ee, ea, e, y, ey)
- Book 8: ‘oe’ (o-e, ow, oa, o)
- Book 9: ‘er’ (er, ir, ur)
- Book 10: ‘ow’ (ow, ou)
- Book 11: ‘ie’ (igh, i-e, y, i)
- Book 12: ‘oo’ (oo, ew, u-e, u)
Totem Workbook (Sold Separately)
Catch-up reader workbooks are integral to the reading program as they include activities to support the learner
This 224 page, photocopiable workbook has 12 chapters of activities designed for older students, ages 8-14, who already know the sounds of the alphabet and can read simple CVC words. This workbook corresponds directly to the 12 books in the Totem series, and includes activities for word building, blending, segmenting, comprehension, and vocabulary based on the characters and adventures in the Totem series.
