This proposal seeks funding to establish a comprehensive library of decodable books in my kindergarten classroom. Decodable texts are essential tools in early literacy instruction, especially for beginning readers who are learning to decode words using phonics. This library will support systematic, explicit phonics instruction aligned with our curriculum and the Science of Reading, ensuring that all students—regardless of background—have access to high-quality, developmentally appropriate reading materials.

In the foundational stages of reading, children benefit most from texts that allow them to apply newly learned phonetic skills. Decodable books are specifically designed to reinforce phoneme-grapheme correspondences and build confidence in young readers. Currently, our classroom has limited access to such resources, which restricts opportunities for differentiated practice and independent reading.

Research from the Science of Reading highlights that systematic phonics instruction, paired with decodable texts, significantly improves reading outcomes. According to the National Reading Panel and subsequent studies, children need explicit instruction in phonemic awareness and phonics, followed by opportunities to apply these skills in controlled texts. Decodable books provide this bridge between instruction and application.