Daily Student Tracker Clipboard Assistant
Daily Student Tracker
Topic: Personal Information Phonics Lab (6-Student Cohort)
Group / Cohort: ___________ Day: Mon / Wed / Fri
How to Use: Print this out and put it on your clipboard. Track your 6 active club members across the 8 fundamental adult literacy markers. Check off successful demonstrations in real-time during your 10-minute rotations.
Student Name
Tier
Letters
Sounds
Name Rec.
Words
Copying
Legible
Spacing
Sentence
1. __________________
A/B/C
2. __________________
A/B/C
3. __________________
A/B/C
4. __________________
A/B/C
5. __________________
A/B/C
6. __________________
A/B/C
End-of-Session Reflection Notes
Jot down any high-priority observations here:
Daily Student Tracker • Words That Work Page 1 of 2
Rapid Placement Tool
Literacy Diagnostic Rubric
How to Triage a Student's Phonics Level in 2 minutes:
Show the student three cards containing: the letter M , the word MAT , and the sentence "The bus is here." Ask: "Can you read any of these for me?" Place them into the corresponding folder tier immediately.
IF THE STUDENT:
Cannot recognize letter names or sounds, struggles to hold a pencil, or cannot trace basic curves.
Assigned Path: LEVEL A folder. Focus on finger paths, tracing letters M, S, T, and simple shape copying.
IF THE STUDENT:
Recognizes letter shapes and basic sounds but struggles to blend them (e.g., reads M-A-T but cannot read "MAT") or write full words.
Assigned Path: LEVEL B folder. Focus on word copying, using grid blocks for proper spacing, and phonetic spelling.
IF THE STUDENT:
Easily blends simple words (e.g., MAT, SHOP) but struggles to read and write fluid sentences with proper word spacing.
Assigned Path: LEVEL C folder. Focus on copying simple sentences, tracking word boundaries, and spelling checks.
A Note on Classroom Dignity
"For an adult who has survived a lifetime without reading, learning that a letter shape has a specific, consistent sound is a profound victory. Honor their bravery in entering your studio, and protect their privacy."
Daily Student Tracker • Rapid Placement Tool Page 2 of 2
Identity Details Worksheets Level 1: Letters & Sounds
Phonics Lab
Focus: Today's Sounds — M, S, T
Activity 1: Trace the Letter Shapes
Trace the giant letters. Speak the sound out loud as you trace: "M says mmm..."
M Sound: "mmm"
S Sound: "sss"
T Sound: "ttt"
Activity 2: Match the Sounds
Draw a line to connect each letter to the picture that starts with its sound.
M
S
T
Telephone
Mail
Stamp
Activity 3: Pencil Coordination Strokes
Trace the curves. Practice steady, straight, and loopy paths to prepare for letters.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
\ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ /
Words That Work • Lesson 2 Page 1 (Level 1)
Level 2: Word Copying & Spacing
Word Builder Lab
Focus: Copying Personal Info Words in Grids
Activity 1: Trace & Say Word Shapes
Trace the core personal vocabulary words. Say each letter as you trace.
My Name
NAME
My Phone
PHONE
Activity 2: Grid Alignment Copying
Look at the word on the left. Copy the letters carefully into the blank boxes.
HOME
STOP
WORK
Activity 3: Grid Spacing Rules
Use your finger to double check: is there a clean blank box between your words?
✔
Letters inside boxes
✔
No letters overlap
✔
Clear blank spacing
Words That Work • Lesson 2 Page 2 (Level 2)
Level 3: Sentence Writing & Spacing
Sentence Lab
Focus: Reading & Copying Simple Statements
Activity 1: Read Out Loud
Read these simple statements out loud with your partner or coach. Track with your finger.
"The bus is here."
"I work at a store."
"My phone is here."
Activity 2: Spacing & Copying Exercise
Copy the sentence carefully below. Leave exactly ONE clean space between each word.
SAMPLE SENTENCE
T H E B U S I S H E R E .
YOUR COPYING GRID (Print clearly)
Activity 3: Spacing Verification
I placed my finger between each word.
My letters do not overlap.
My capital letters are at the start.
I am proud of my spacing.
Identity Details Teacher Guide Daily Club Survival Tool
Adult Phonics Lab Guide
How to Teach Reading, Spacing & Copying Basics with Zero 1-on-1 Prep
Teacher Tool
Adult Literacy Lab
"Hooked on Phonics" for Adults
Forget school-style lectures. Your adult learners were failed by a system that rushed them into worksheets before mastering letter sounds and pencil control. This system turns your classroom into an "Adult Phonics Lab" —where every member works on a highly physical, tactile sequence using letters, tiles, and word-spacing cards.
Differentiated Folder Setup (Today's Targets: M, S, T)
Prepare 6 individual folders containing the targeted worksheet page matching their level. Let them grab their folder upon arrival and immediately go to work.
LEVEL 1: Tracing
Target: Pre-literate. Cannot form letter shapes.
Activity: Finger tracing giant letters M, S, T, and curved strokes.
LEVEL 2: Copying
Target: Knows letters but struggles to spell or space.
Activity: Copying NAME, PHONE, HOME inside dashed grid boxes.
LEVEL 3: Sentences
Target: Phonetic writers. Spacing is erratic.
Activity: Reading & copying simple statements with spacing checkers.
The Circuit Rotation Strategy
With 6 students working on distinct tasks, you cannot run standard whiteboard lectures. Set your timer for 10 minutes . Sit at one student's desk , guide their pencil hand (Level 1) or check their word spacing (Level 3). Then rotate to the next. In a 60-minute work block, you will give every student 10 minutes of dedicated, high-intensity 1-on-1 care!
Words That Work Teacher Guide Page 1 of 2
The Daily Routine
The 4-Step Phonics Lab
15 MIN
THE START
Step 1: Letters & Sounds (Communal)
Gather all 6 members. Project Slide 2 (Letters & Sounds). Point to M , S , and T . Lead them in saying the sounds out loud: "M says mmm... Mail, Money." Trace the letters in the air together. No pencils or worksheets yet—just vocal energy.
15 MIN
TACTILE
Step 2: Tactile Word Building
Distribute individual letter cards or magnetic tiles. Have students physically assemble words. Pre-readers build MAT , MAP , SIT . Higher readers assemble vocab words:
Identity Details Slides Adult Literacy Lab Lesson 2 • Sounds & Words
Today's Target Sounds:
Letters: M • S • T
Practice saying the sounds, blending letters into words, and spacing out your sentences.
Speak Sounds Build Words Space Sentences
Slide 1 of 5
10 Min Letters & Sounds
Step 1: Speak & Point
M
"mmm"
Mail • Money • Milk
S
"sss"
Stamp • Stop • Sun
T
"ttt"
Telephone • Top • Time
Practice saying each sound with a steady, strong voice!
Slide 2 of 5
15 Min Word Building
Step 2: Blending Letters
Place your letter tiles in order. Slide them together to read!
M
A
T
=
MAT
Try other combinations: MOP • MAP • TOP • SIT • SAT
Slide 3 of 5
15 Min Reading Groups
Step 3: Statement Reading
Read these simple statements. Track word-by-word.
"The bus is here."
"I work at a store."
"My phone is here."
Make sure to pause briefly at the period at the end of each line
Slide 4 of 5
15 Min Writing Lab
Step 4: Mechanical Hand Spacing
The Finger Spacing Check
When copying your words or sentences, place your index finger down flat on the page between each word. This ensures your words are legible!
MY [ FINGER SPACE ] NAME
"Slow, steady pencil paths lead to beautifully readable letters."
Slide 5 of 5
