San Mateo County Libraries introduced 10 new phonics kits that families can check out for their kindergartners through third graders.
The "Let's Read Together" kits, announced Nov. 5 on the library system's blog, bundle decodable books with hands-on tools. Each bag contains nine to 12 decodable books focused on a specific phonics skill, one phonics card game and one activity guide for caregivers. The kits also serve older students who need extra help decoding words.
Decodable books teach students to match printed letter combinations with the correct sounds to pronounce words, according to the library. They give beginning readers a place to practice.
The 10 kits cover skills ranging from basic word structures and consonant patterns to diphthong syllables and advanced spellings. Each kit targets one skill and is checked out separately. Checkouts last three weeks and can be renewed. If a kit is already out, families can place a hold through the online catalog.
San Mateo County Libraries and San Mateo Public Library are separate members of the Peninsula Library System. Families can find the kits by searching "decodable reading kit" in the catalog at smcl.org.
