Getting Ready to Teach - Part 2: How to Teach a Lesson

Last updated: February 17, 2026

This article outlines how we recommend teaching a typical lesson in the Air Reading curriculum. Whether you are a brand-new teacher or just looking for a refresher, continue reading for a walkthrough of how a lesson can be taught with Air Reading.

Quick overview

• What: A step-by-step guide to teaching a typical lesson in the Air Reading curriculum.

• Why: To help both new and returning teachers teach with confidence, maintain student engagement, and ensure lessons run smoothly.

• How: By following the Teacher Directions and ensuring that all components of the lesson are taught.

Table of contents

• Video overview: How to teach a lesson
• Teaching sequence
• Final recommendations
• Downloadable handout
• More resources

Video overview: How to teach a lesson

Follow along with Teacher Tamara as she walks us through a typical lesson. Continue reading below for a written summary and a downloadable handout.

The exact lesson discussed in the video is from Phase 2, however, the format is similar in lessons from Phases 1-4. Keep in mind there will be some variation from lesson to lesson and phase to phase, but the overall structure will be consistent.

Teaching sequence

The Welcome Slide can be displayed at the beginning of class time. There is no need to read it aloud to students; however, it can be helpful to keep it visible for any teachers, administrators, or adult supervisors present in the classroom so they can see what students will be learning that day. 

Instruction may begin as soon as at least one student is present (no need to wait for all students to arrive).

Introduction

• Today we will learn slide
  • Briefly review the day’s objectives.
• Read it again, faster slide
  • Students re-read a selection of the story from the previous lesson together.
  • Important: This slide (and the repeated reading at the end) is meant to be read as a group response—not echo or individual reading.
  • After reading, quickly underline 1–2 errors for correction.
• Letter sound review slide
  • Review previously learned sounds.
  • Prompt students to say the short vowel sounds.
  • If needed, use the keywords in the Teacher Directions to help recall sounds.

Phonemic awareness

• Blending example: “Let’s blend and say the word. Listen: /m/ /u/ /s/ /t/, you try.”
• Segmenting example: “Break this word into sounds: spud.”
• Reminder: Avoid writing letters in the boxes—this is an auditory task.

Phonics instruction

• Some lessons include a phonics review slide similar to the earlier letter-sound review.
• For flashcards:
  • Quickly go through each letter.
  • Students say the sound twice and then the keyword. *Note that the Teacher Directions for this activity have been updated since the recording of the video. Always check the Teacher Directions for the most up-to-date information. 
  • Teachers should not participate—this keeps students actively engaged.
• Short vowel speedway
  • Practice vowel sounds as a warm-up.
  • Students read across the rows together or individually.
  • Tip: Avoid underlining rows—students should be tracking with their eyes.
• Teaching slide (phonics concept)
  • Read the slide aloud and be sure to follow the Teacher Directions exactly as written to ensure new content is taught explicitly.
    • Example: “When a syllable ends with a vowel followed by a consonant, the vowel has a short sound.”
• Blend and read slides
  • Students blend and read quickly.
  • If they know the routine, you can skip saying, “Say the sounds and read.”
  • Provide immediate error correction (underline, prompt, or give the keyword).
• Word lists
  • Students read rows of words as a group or individually.
  • Complete the spiral review word list next, using the same procedure.
• Read sentences together slide
  • Continue with group or individual reading.

Mastery Check slides (orange slides)

• Required for daily progress monitoring.
• Each student reads:
  • One slide covering the newly learned concept
  • One column for spiral review
• If you have fewer than 4 students, click the girl's picture to go to the spiral review slide.
• Important: Record errors carefully for your feedback.

High-frequency words

• Teach each word using the Teacher Directions.
• Example:
  • “The word is put. Say it.”
  • “Write it in the air or on your desk.”
• High-frequency word list
  • Students practice reading all the high-frequency words they have learned.

Reading the story

• Let's get ready to read slide.
  • Ask the warm-up question (e.g., “What do dogs do for fun?”).
  • Keep this slide under one minute.
• Students read the assigned text individually, taking turns.

Final recommendations

• Always follow Teacher Directions for timing, corrections, and response type.
• Use group response whenever possible to keep engagement high.
• Be sure to record accurate Mastery Check results for feedback.
• Stay positive, clear, and efficient—especially during transitions.

Downloadable handout

For a downloadable handout outlining the teaching sequence, check out: Your Roadmap to Navigating a Session in Phases 1-4.

More resources

• For a rundown of a typical lesson in each Phase of the Air Reading curriculum, check out the articles in the Class Formats folder.