Capstone’s New Stairway Decodables: A Game-Changer for Early Reading Success
Decodable readers play a crucial role in K-2 classrooms, forming the foundation for early reading success. However, many educators have voiced concerns about the limited appeal and brevity of traditional decodable books. In response to this feedback, Capstone has introduced Stairway Decodables, a groundbreaking series designed to engage young readers and support their literacy development both in school and at home.
Stairway Decodables is a comprehensive phonics resource that offers additional practice opportunities for students in small group instruction, independent reading, and home learning settings. The series is structured into six progressive steps, with each step focusing on specific phonics sounds to help students build their decoding skills effectively.
Step 1 of the Stairway Decodables series concentrates on short vowels, providing a solid foundation for beginning readers. As students progress through the steps, they encounter increasingly complex phonics concepts, such as initial and final consonant blends, consonant digraphs, silent “e,” soft “c” and “g,” trigraphs, vowel teams, vowel-r combinations, diphthongs, and long vowels. With a total of 60 captivating and authentic texts, Stairway Decodables offers a diverse range of reading materials to cater to the needs of young learners.
What sets Stairway Decodables apart from traditional decodable readers is its emphasis on combining various components of the Science of Reading, including comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, and phonemic awareness. Each fiction book in the series not only helps students decode phonetically regular words but also aids in the development of essential literacy skills. By integrating these key elements, Capstone ensures that students receive a holistic and engaging reading experience that promotes overall literacy growth.
Beth Brezenoff, Capstone’s Executive VP and General Manager of Content, highlights the unique features of Stairway Decodables that make them stand out in the realm of phonics resources. She notes that the books are intentionally designed to resemble “real books” with captivating plotlines, illustrations, and relatable characters. This approach not only enhances students’ engagement but also instills a sense of accomplishment and confidence in their reading abilities.
In addition to their engaging content, Stairway Decodables offer practical support for educators through key features pages that outline word counts, phonics skills, and challenging words in each book. These pages also provide suggestions for pre-reading, during reading, and post-reading activities, as well as extended learning opportunities to reinforce phonemic awareness, writing skills, and critical thinking abilities among students.
Stairway Decodables are available in multiple formats, including hardcover, paperback, and eBooks, catering to the diverse needs of educators and students. Classroom sets comprise all 60 paperbacks in the series, along with a skill matrix and display box for easy organization and access. For more information on Stairway Decodables and how to integrate them into your classroom, visit Capstone’s website.
Looking ahead to 2025, Capstone has exciting plans to expand its decodable offerings, with the release of 10 additional Step 1 books in January and the introduction of 36 nonfiction decodable books in the fall. These new additions will further enhance Capstone’s commitment to providing high-quality, engaging resources that support students’ reading development and promote a love of learning.
As a leading educational publisher, Capstone is dedicated to inspiring students to learn and empowering communities to thrive through its innovative digital solutions, children’s books, and literacy programs. Whether through print books, interactive eBooks, or the popular learning tool PebbleGo™, Capstone aims to celebrate and amplify diverse voices and perspectives in its content, fostering a culture of inclusivity and learning for all. By supporting educators and students with engaging, valuable resources, Capstone is committed to helping every student succeed in their educational journey. Visit CapstonePub.com to discover more about Capstone’s mission and offerings. #LearningIsForEveryone