| "gant" for giant |
| "You know this word." |
| "Split the syllable: gi-ant." What does G say before I? |
Sound Shift Phonics • Teacher Guide Page 1 of 3
ANSWER KEYS
Master Keys • Comprehension Discussion • Fluency Norms
Target Rate: 85–115 WCPM
Page 1: C Sort
Hard C (/k/):
custom, camera, copper, canyon, current
Soft C (/s/):
center, cider, cyclone, notice, pencil
Page 3: G Sort
Hard G (/g/):
golden, gutter, gasket, gallop, target
Soft G (/j/):
danger, ginger, gentle, magic, energy
Page 5: Double Shift
Syllable Codes:
1. bicycle: 1=Soft(S), 2=Hard(H)
2. gigantic: 1=Soft(S), 2=Hard(H)
3. concert: 1=Hard(H), 2=Soft(S)
4. cottage: C=Hard(H), G=Soft(S)
Passage 1: "The City Circuit" (Page 2)
Q1: Why did Cole test the car tonight? • Key: To ensure the custom electric motor was ready before tomorrow's public city race.
Q2: How did Cole stay focused in the shop? • Key: Even when cinders flew from a welding torch, he stayed calm and methodically checked pressure and cables.
Passage 2: "The Giant Rescue" (Page 4)
Q1: What danger threatened the hawk? • Key: Its wing was pinned behind rusty cage bars exposed to freezing gusts on a mountain cliff.
Q2: How did Gabe prevent the bird from panicking? • Key: Spoke in a soft whisper, moved with gentle care, and cut the hinge without sudden noise.
Passage 3: "Night at the Sound Garage" (Page 6)
Q1: What was at stake for Marcus? • Key: If the city council loved his summer concert music track, he would earn a stage contract.
Q2: How did Marcus solve the power surge? • Key: Traced the wiring systematically and replaced a broken copper fuse behind the amplifier.
How to Calculate WCPM:
WCPM = (Words Read − Uncorrected Errors) × 60 ÷ Seconds
If doing a standard 1-minute sprint: Total words read minus errors equals WCPM.
Target Ranges for Intervention:
Sound Shift Phonics • Teacher Guide Page 2 of 3
RUNNING RECORDS
Master Transcripts with Exact Cumulative Word Counts [ ]
Teacher Scoring Sheet
Passage 1: "The City Circuit" (Total: 223 Words • Lexile ~590L) [Cumulative Word Counts]
Cole stepped into the quiet center of the shop. His custom race car rested on the clean [18] concrete floor. Tonight was the big test. He had spent weeks building a rapid electric motor [34] inside the dark chassis. Now he planned to test the machine on the open streets of [50] the city before tomorrow's public race. He picked up a steel clamp and tightened the main [66] cable behind the dashboard clock. Everything had to be secure. Next, he checked the front tire [82] pressure with a small pencil gauge. A cool cinder fell from a welding torch across the [98] room, but Cole kept his calm focus. He adjusted his helmet, switched on the battery power, [114] and listened to the motor hum. It did not rattle or shake. Cole tapped the accelerator [130] and drove out into the crisp night air. He guided the sleek vehicle onto the empty [146] circuit. Street lights cast bright circles across the pavement. He took a quick glance at the [162] speed meter as he entered the wide center space. The engine sang with pure power as [178] Cole carved past sharp curves and raced toward the finish line with complete confidence. He felt [194] proud of his hard craft and knew the car was ready for the city trophy. [223]
Passage 2: "The Giant Rescue" (Total: 217 Words • Lexile ~620L) [Cumulative Word Counts]
The mountain rescue crew received an urgent call at dawn. A giant golden hawk was trapped [16] on a high ledge above the rocky gorge. The bird had pinned its right wing behind [32] the rusty bars of an old iron cage left by miners. Without fast help, the majestic [48] animal would not survive the freezing gusts of wind blowing across the canyon. Gabe loaded his [64] heavy work gloves, safety ropes, and cutting gear into his pack. He knew that wild birds [80] can panic when strangers approach. He began the steep climb up the cliff face, step by [96] step. When Gabe reached the narrow ledge, he moved with gentle care. He spoke in a [112] soft whisper so he would not trigger the hawk's fear. The bird watched him with sharp, [128] golden eyes. Gabe examined the metal gate. He placed his wire cutters against the steel hinge. [144] With one firm squeeze, the rusty lock snapped open. Gabe used gentle fingers to guide the [160] hawk's wing away from the jagged edge. Suddenly, the bird ruffled its feathers, bursting with fresh [176] energy. It leaped from the ledge and soared high above the green forest, free from the [192] rugged gorge forever. Gabe gave a huge grin as the creature vanished into morning sky. [217]
Passage 3: "Night at the Sound Garage" (Total: 228 Words • Lexile ~650L) [Cumulative Word Counts]
Late in the evening, Marcus walked into his converted garage studio. Sound cables and audio gear [16] lined the wooden walls. He was preparing an original music track for the downtown summer concert. [32] For weeks, he had worked on this project, blending heavy drum beats with sharp horn melodies. [48] If the city council loved his performance, he would win a stage contract for the upcoming [64] festival. Marcus plugged his audio mixer into the main circuit box and powered up the computer. [80] He tested the bass levels and checked each audio channel. Suddenly, a bright red warning signal [96] flashed across the digital monitor. A gigantic power surge had overloaded the system. The speakers began [112] to hum with harsh static. A sudden panic threatened to ruin all his progress, but Marcus [128] knew that keeping his cool was the only solution. He took a deep breath and touched [144] the delicate volume sliders with gentle fingers. Syllable by syllable, line by line, he traced the [160] wiring to find the loose connection. He replaced a broken copper fuse behind the amplifier. When [176] he flipped the power switch again, the static vanished. Pure music filled the room. Marcus smiled [192] with relief. His patient focus had turned a dangerous crisis into a triumphant success. He turned [208] up the master volume and listened as the sound echoed through the warm night. [228]
Sound Shift Phonics • Teacher Guide Page 3 of 3
