A systematic UFLI-aligned phonics lesson focusing on Lesson 71 trigraph spelling patterns tch and dge after short vowels. Students master the spelling rules, decode connected decodable stories, build oral fluency, and complete quick verbal checks.
Jed smiled and shook his head. "You will not snatch my dinner tonight, little friend!" Jed said softly. Jed found a crisp red apple slice that was a perfect match for a hungry woodland animal. He slid the treat under the gate. The animal took the crisp slice and trotted back into the thick pines without a sound.
Fluency Self-Check
[ ] Read short vowels accurately
[ ] Read -tch as /ch/ and -dge as /j/
Decodable Check Prompts
1. What made the noise at Grandpa Jed's back door?
2. Why did the author describe the badger as "clever"?
UFLI Lesson 71 Long Decodable 3 of 3
Name: Date:
The Big Pitch in the Park
Focus Patterns: -tch (/ch/) and -dge (/j/) in sports action
The championship ball game was tied up in the final inning. Josh stood on the mound ready to throw a fast pitch. Behind home plate, Mitch held his leather mitt with a red stitch pattern tight across his palm.
The batter swung hard! The yellow ball flew straight toward the grass edge of the field. Josh had to spin and dodge a sliding runner. Out in left field, Dan made a brave stretch to stop the ball from falling into the wet drain ditch. Dan tossed the ball back in with all his might.
Mitch did not let his eye twitch as the runner dashed home. He made the final catch and held the ball in a firm clutch. The head judge shouted, "Out!" The whole team jumped up to celebrate their win, and each player earned a golden badge.
Partner Fluency Check
Accuracy: ___ / 151 words
Expression: [ ] Good [ ] Super
Decodable Check Prompts
1. What did Dan do to keep the ball out of the drain ditch?
2. How did the judge signal that the game was finished?
D He was searching for sweet fudge
2. The story states that Mitch had to dodge a branch. What does the word dodge mean in the text?
A To quickly leap or move out of the way
B To cut down wood with a sharp saw
C To sit down and take a long nap
D To paint a picture of the forest
3. What problem did Mitch discover near the foot bridge?
A The wooden bridge had collapsed in the storm
B His water pail was dropped in the deep ditch
C A young badger was trapped in muddy sludge
D A silver badge was missing from his jacket
4. How did Mitch help the creature get free?
A He gave it a firm nudge with a strong branch
B He shouted loudly to frighten the animal
C He ran back to the lodge to call for help
D He threw rocks into the berry hedge
5. Which words best describe Mitch based on his actions in the story?
A Careful and gentle with woodland animals
B Impatient and angry about doing his chores
C Fearful and unwilling to leave the lodge
D Playful and careless along the steep trail
Phonics Code Hunt: Write 2 target words from the story for each rule
Short Vowel + -tch:
Short Vowel + -dge:
Word 1:
Word 2:
Word 3:
Dictation Sentence: (Teacher dictates: "Catch the ball by the hedge.")
[ ] Ready for Lesson 72 [ ] Small Group Reinforcement (-tch) [ ] Small Group Reinforcement (-dge)
