Foundational Instruction for Reading Excellence (FIRE) Supplement

The Challenge

The Literacy Crisis

With 40% of 4th graders scoring below basic reading levels, too many students are slipping through the cracks. The lack of structured phonics instruction beyond grade 2 leaves gaps that make reading fluency, comprehension, and writing even harder as they progress.

Without consistent, explicit instruction, students who struggle with foundational skills continue to fall further behind, making it harder for them to succeed in middle and high school.

FIRE is the solution—helping teachers bridge the gap before it’s too late.

Bridging the Gaps

Many core curriculums stop explicit phonics instruction after grade 2, leaving gaps in foundational reading skills for upper elementary students. FIRE ensures those gaps are addressed.

Science of Reading-Aligned

Research shows that explicit phonics and foundational skills are critical for literacy success. FIRE brings these evidence-based practices into your daily ELA block.

Quick & Effective

A simple 15-minute structure that seamlessly fits into any schedule—use it between subjects, as a transition, or within an ELA block.

Designed for Whole-Group Instruction

Unlike digital tools, FIRE is an interactive, teacher-led program that supports all students and provides structured practice for reading, writing, and spelling.

The Methodology

The core principles of FIRE

Each FIRE lesson is carefully designed to strengthen foundational literacy skills through structured, research-backed instruction. With over 120 engaging lessons per grade level, teachers have a comprehensive toolkit to reinforce essential skills in phonics, spelling, grammar, and morphology. With just 15 minutes a day, students develop the critical reading and writing abilities they need for long-term success—building confidence, fluency, and comprehension along the way.

Advanced Phonetic Code & Spelling

FIRE provides explicit instruction on decoding (reading words accurately) and encoding (spelling words correctly) by reinforcing advanced phonics rules, syllable patterns, and common spelling conventions.

Grammar Guidance

FIRE teaches sentence structure, parts of speech, punctuation, and usage rules in a clear and systematic way. Students learn how to construct grammatically correct sentences, recognize errors, and apply their knowledge in both spoken and written language, leading to better writing and clearer communication.

Morphology in Practice

FIRE helps students break down words into meaningful parts—roots, prefixes, and suffixes—so they can determine word meanings and expand their vocabulary. This skill not only improves reading comprehension but also helps students decode unfamiliar words across all subjects, from science to social studies.

Adaptable & Teacher Friendly

Each lesson is teacher-friendly, adaptable, and scalable, allowing educators to customize instruction to meet the needs of their students. Plus, mid- and end-unit checkpoints provide valuable data on student progress, helping teachers identify strengths and areas for growth.

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FIRE: Empowering Educators, Strengthening Readers