Detective Coaching Guide Detective Coaching Guide
Managing Impulsivity & Anxiety (UFLI Lesson 49: Digraphs)
The 3-Second Wait
Impulsive readers often guess because their eyes move faster than their decoding process.
Physical Prompt: Place a card over the word. Count to 3 mentally before revealing it.
Teacher Script: "My turn to hold the 'pause button.' I'll reveal the word when your eyes are ready."
Tactile Tracking
Anxiety makes students want to finish quickly. Physical movement anchors their focus.
The "Magic Wand": Use a magnifying glass or specific pointer to touch each phoneme.
Digraph Tap: Use 2 fingers to tap digraphs as one unit.
The Growth Mindset Script
Instead of "It's okay"...
"You're rushing because you want to show me how much you know. Today, let's show your brain how to be a careful detective."
When she guesses...
"Good job seeing the first sound! Now let's use our 'slow-mo' power to see the rest of the clue."
Digraph Review Specifics (UFLI 49)
sh, ch, th
H-Brothers
The "H" Alarm: When she sees an 'h', tell her to "Freeze!" and look at the letter before it. This stops the impulse to read letters individually.
ng, ck, qu
Glue Sounds
Glued Together: Remind her these letters are "stuck in a detective's hug." They only make one sound.
Success Metric: Celebrate "Self-Correction" more than "Speed." If she stops herself and decodes, that's the win!
Word Detective Training Slides Word Detective Academy
Mission: Master the Digraph Clues
The Detective's Mindset
The Power of YET
"I might not know this word... YET!"
Mistakes = Clues
Every "oops" is a clue that helps us get stronger.
"Slow is smooth,
smooth is fast."
Detective Move: Stop, Look, Tap
STOP
Eyes on the word.
Voice is frozen.
LOOK
Find the digraph.
Trace the clues.
TAP
Touch each sound.
1 tap for digraphs.
Detective Warm-up
sh
"Quiet!"
ch
"Choo-Choo!"
th
"Thump!"
Case Practice: Slow-Mo Reading
ship
chop
thin
Step 1
WAIT
Step 2
DECODE
Wait for the signal before you reveal your answer!
Evidence Tracker Worksheet Evidence Tracker
Detective Academy: Digraph Mission
Name:
Date:
"Great detectives don't rush. Find every clue before you speak!"
Step 1: Mark the Digraphs
Underline the digraphs (sh, ch, th, wh, ck, ng, ph) first.
SHOCK
CHART
THING
WHALE
PHONE
BRUSH
Step 2: Slow-Mo Writing
Tap sounds, then write slowly in the white box.
CHECK
Solved?
THICK
Solved?
GRAPH
Solved?
Detective Reflection
I rushed
a bit
I used my
tools
I was very
careful!
Detective Toolkit Cards The Detective's Oath
"I will not guess."
"I will look for every clue."
"Mistakes are just part of the training."
"I'm not there... yet!"
Official Badge of Progress
Decoding Tools
1. STOP
Wait 3 seconds. Eyes on the word. Voice frozen.
2. SCAN
Find the digraphs first! Mark them with your eyes.
3. TAP
Touch every sound. Use 2 fingers for 1 digraph.
Word Detective Academy