Essential Phonics for the Classroom Volunteer

Teach Reading with Confidence — Even if You’ve Never Done It Before

Walk into any classroom ready to help a child learn to read.

This short, self-paced training gives you the skills, tools, and a proven plan to support emerging readers from Day One.

Why Take This Course?

Volunteers often want to help but don’t know how to teach reading. Teachers don’t always have time for one-on-one phonics instruction — but you can fill that gap.

Essential Phonics Equips You With:

  • Practical Strategies

    Simple ways to teach the most important phonics concepts.

  • Evidence-Aligned Methods

    Essential Phonics is grounded in the Science of Reading.

  • Confidence & Clarity

    A lesson plan and ready-to-use activities that work.

Pay What You Can!

Pay what feels right for you. When you choose a higher tier, you’re directly helping us provide life-changing literacy support to struggling readers in our communities.

What you will learn

  • How reading works: from sounds → decoding → comprehension.

  • The 10 beginning reading concepts all students must master.

  • How to teach the 10 essential structured phonics concepts step-by-step.

  • The role of phonics in building lifelong reading skills.

  • How to use the Essential Phonics lesson plan effectively.

  • Signs a student may need more targeted support.

  • Strategies to boost comprehension alongside decoding.

By the End of the Course, You Will Be Able To:

  • Confidently support students who are learning to read

  • Provide reading help—even if you're not the primary teacher

  • Follow a proven lesson plan to teach phonics effectively

  • Adjust your support to meet kids where they are in their reading journey

  • Step into any classroom ready to help.

What you get from this course

  • Self-paced Course

    5-hour self-paced online course – flexible and beginner-friendly.

  • Manual

    Digital Essential Phonics Manual – includes lesson plans, links to resources, and videos.

  • Lots of Examples

    Real tutoring examples – tutor-led demonstrations and recorded lessons.

  • How to use decodable books

    How to incorporate decodable chapter books into your lessons to build fluency and confidence.

  • Certificate of Completion

    Certificate of Completion – share your achievement with schools or volunteer coordinators.

Who It's For

  • Classroom volunteers and paraprofessionals

  • Youth & afterschool organizations (BGCSF and others)

  • Parents and caregivers

  • Anyone who works with children and youth

What Happens After You Sign Up?

  • Immediate access – start the course as soon as you register.

  • Step-by-step guidance – follow along at your own pace with videos and resources.

  • Certificate awarded – when you complete the training, you’ll receive an official certificate to share with schools or coordinators.

Course curriculum

    1. Essential Phonics Get to know you survey

    2. Preface

    3. The Purpose of this Course

      FREE PREVIEW

    4. Reading and the Brain

    5. Three Pathways for Using This Course

    6. How to use this online course

    7. Join our office hours

    1. Essential Phonics Reference Manual and Lessons Book

    2. Essential Phonics Digital Phonics Board

    3. The Essential Phonics Lesson Plan: A Brief Overview

    4. From Sounds to Stories: Using Decodable Chapter Books to Teach Reading

    5. Teach Your Student Using Our Videos!

    1. Concept 1: Consonants & Short Vowels

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Concept 2: Open and Closed Syllables

    3. Concept 3: Consonant Teams and Common Ending Sounds

    4. Concept 4: Final Blends

    5. Concept 5: Common Suffixes

    6. Concept 6: Front Blends

    1. Teaching a Full Lesson

    2. Spelling of Syllables: Concept Tracking

    3. Reading: Pressure Release (How to Read With Any Student)

    4. Reading: Beat the Clock (Building Speed & Fluency)

    5. Mid-Course Survey Essential Phonics

    1. Concept 7: Vowel Tag

    2. Concept 8: Silent E

    3. Concept 9: Vowel Change

    4. Concept 10: R Family

    1. Student Starting Points

    2. Choosing Your Student's Book

    3. Comprehension

    4. Understanding Your Reader: Matching Struggles to Essential Phonics Concepts

    5. Post Course Survey Essential Phonics

About this course

  • 5 hours of training (self-paced online)
  • Certificate of Completion included
  • All kids deserve volunteers who understand how to teach reading!

🙌 No teaching experience needed—just a desire to help and a willingness to learn!