UFly Foundations Implementation Webinar

Overview

• Introduction to UFly Foundation's Manual
• Lesson Steps Overview
• Free Online Resources
• Webinar recording will be available online

Logistics

• Order status inquiries: Contact Ventress Learning
• Questions for panelists: Use Q&A box

Welcome & Introduction

• Hosts: Dr. Holly Lane & Dr. Valentina Contess
• Overview of UFly Foundations: Research-based and evidence-based program

Research & Evidence Base

Research-Based

• Built on prior research and best practices
• Focus on decoding side of reading (not linguistic comprehension)
• Informed by the National Reading Panel and IES Practice Guide
• Influenced by Linnea Erie's research on word recognition development
• Instruction is explicit and systematic
• Features effective instruction strategies: ample practice, behavior-specific praise
• Interleaved practice for skill retention

Evidence-Based

• Initial pilot in one school: design and usability feedback
• District-wide pilot: significant positive outcomes
  • Effect sizes indicating strong improvement

Professional Learning & Educative Curriculum

• Aimed at closing the research-to-practice gap
• Upcoming online professional development modules

UFly Foundations Manual

Implementation Guidance

• Detailed lesson components
• Suggested lesson breakdown: 90-minute reading block
  • 30 minutes phonics, 30 minutes language comprehension, 30 minutes differentiation
• Lesson sequence for each grade level

Lesson Structure

• Two main groups: Getting Ready Lessons & Core Lessons
• Getting Ready Lessons focus on sound wall and letter formation
• Core Lessons: explicit and systematic
• Lessons structured in 8 steps, divided over two days
  • Day 1: Focus on new concept introduction
  • Day 2: Application through reading and writing

Additional Features

• Detailed scope and sequence
• High-frequency word guidance
• Resources for letter formation
• Glossary of terminology

Resources & Tools

• Sound wall, manipulative letters, writing surfaces
• Printable and digital resources available on UFly Foundation's website
• Lesson slides and decodable passages

Lesson Steps

Day 1

• Phonemic Awareness
• Visual Drill
• Auditory Drill
• Blending Drill
• New Concept Introduction

Day 2

• New Concept Review
• Word Work
• Irregular Words
• Connected Text

Progress Monitoring & Assessment

• Spelling assessments as a form of progress monitoring
• Use of formative assessments to plan small group instruction

Implementation in Various Settings

• Potential use as intervention tool
• Effectiveness in one-on-one settings

Q&A Highlights

• Phonemic Awareness focus explained
• Assessment and readiness
• Use of program in intervention settings
• Print to speech vs. speech to print debate addressed

Closing

• Additional webinars and resources available online
• Contact information for further inquiries
• Encouragement to join the UFly Facebook support group