Small Group Reading Intervention K–2: Word Recognition Resources Based on the Science of Reading

Edna Medinilla
Oct 20
3 min read

Three cartoon girls with closed eyes sit cross-legged on the floor, wearing yellow polka dot dresses, with text "Word Mapping (SoR) approach." — Word Recognition Resources Based on the Science of Reading

Teaching early readers to decode and recognize words automatically is one of the most powerful ways to build confident, fluent readers. That’s why this Small Group Reading Intervention K–2 Word Recognition Teacher Packet was designed to help teachers implement Science of Reading practices with ease and clarity.

This comprehensive packet gives you ready-to-use materials to strengthen phonemic awareness, phonics, and word recognition through Elkonin boxes and word mapping activities—all based on the latest research in how the brain learns to read.

What Is the Science of Reading?

The Science of Reading (SoR) is a body of research that explains how students learn to read and spell—and why explicit, systematic instruction is most effective.

Research shows that skilled readers use the orthographic mapping process, which connects three key elements:

Phonemes – the sounds in words
Graphemes – the letters that represent those sounds
Meaning – how those words fit into our language

When teachers use word mapping strategies, they’re helping students build the neural connections that make reading automatic and effortless.

What Is Word Mapping and Why Does It Matter?

Word Mapping is a simple yet powerful technique that helps students visually connect sounds (phonemes) to the letters (graphemes) that spell them.

Instead of memorizing words by sight, students learn to:

Segment the sounds they hear
Match each sound to a written letter or letter team
Blend the sounds to read the word as a whole

This process strengthens orthographic mapping—the mental “filing system” that stores words for instant recognition.

How Word Mapping Differs from Elkonin Boxes

Many teachers are familiar with Elkonin boxes, which help students segment and count sounds in words. Word mapping builds on that same foundation—but takes it one step further.

Here’s the key difference:

Elkonin Boxes: Students move counters or chips into boxes to represent each sound they hear.
Word Mapping: Students write the letters that represent each sound, connecting phonemes to graphemes for lasting memory.

In short: Elkonin Boxes teach listening to sounds, while Word Mapping teaches spelling those sounds.

How Does Word Mapping Support Word Recognition?

Using word mapping regularly helps students:

Build automatic word recognition (sight word reading through understanding, not memorization)
Strengthen sound-symbol correspondence
Improve spelling accuracy
Retain high-frequency words more effectively
Develop reading fluency and confidence

Teachers love how visual and concrete this strategy is—especially for emergent readers, ELL students, and struggling readers who need extra support in connecting sounds to print.

What’s Included in the Teacher Packet

This packet gives you everything you need to teach both strategies in your small groups confidently:

✅ Distinguishing Elkonin Boxes from Word Mapping – An easy-to-follow explanation for teachers

✅ Elkonin Boxes Lesson Sample + Student Practice Sheet

✅ Word Mapping Overview – What it is and why it’s important

✅ Step-by-Step Word Map Activity Instructions

✅ Lesson Samples and Student Sheets for hands-on practice

✅ Word Mapping with Spelling Words – Yes, you can use spelling lists for word mapping!

✅ BONUS: High-Frequency Word Practice

Focus on the 13 high-frequency words that make up over 25% of words in print, of which only 6 are irregular!

Everything is designed for K–2 teachers, reading interventionists, and small group literacy instruction.

K–2 reading intervention resources image featuring phonemic awareness sheets, Elkonin boxes, word mapping guides, and a colorful border. — Small Group Reading Intervention Kite

Small Group Reading Intervention K–2 Word Recognition Resources Teacher Packet

Perfect For:

K–2 Classroom Teachers implementing Science of Reading
Reading Interventionists working with small groups
Special Education Teachers supporting decoding and spelling
ELD/ELL Teachers focusing on phoneme-grapheme connection
Literacy Coaches and Specialists modeling best practices

Why Teachers Love It

“I finally understand how to use word mapping effectively! The packet explains everything so clearly, and my students are now spelling and decoding with confidence.”

This resource is designed to make the Science of Reading practical and doable—even for busy teachers who want a ready-to-use toolkit for intervention or small group work.

Bring Word Mapping to Life in Your Classroom

Empower your students to see, hear, and spell words with understanding.

With this Small Group Reading Intervention Packet, you’ll have all the resources you need to make word recognition instruction engaging, evidence-based, and effective.

👉 Grab your copy here: https://payhip.com/b/pko9l