In the vibrant world of elementary education, dedicated teachers like Anne Marie Phelan are making a profound impact on their students’ literacy journeys. We sat down with Anne Marie to discuss her experiences with Fundations® and how it helps her students grow into confident readers.
My name is Anne Marie Phelan, and I’m a third-grade teacher in Acton, Massachusetts. I’ve been teaching for seven years–three years as a special educator, three years as a second-grade teacher, and now I’m entering my first year in third grade. I was a long-term sub before that.
I know Wilson works because I’ve seen it in action. Even before I became a full-time special educator, I witnessed the progress students made with Wilson throughout the school year. Wilson’s systematic approach, backed by years of use, offers a sense of comfort and reliability. When I mention using Wilson or Fundations, people are relieved, knowing it will work for the student. There’s a vast community of educators who are passionate about it too.
I love how accessible Fundations is to all my students. It’s systematic, with routines that help students know what to expect. The visuals are especially helpful for multilingual learners and students with reading disabilities. The evidence-based approach and the available resources make it perfect for supporting all my students.
Fundations engages students through whole-group and small-group activities, using manipulatives like whiteboards and magnetic boards to keep them excited and focused. The routine allows students to build on their knowledge each week. When they transfer what they’ve learned from the whiteboards to paper, it’s so exciting for both them and me.
My favorite part of Fundations is story time. During this, I incorporate activities like looking for word parts, vowel digraphs, and working on comprehension. My students love being “word detectives” while we read.
Fundations fosters a love of reading by building confidence. Students aren’t just guessing words based on pictures–they’re learning to decode and apply strategies, using skills that will last a lifetime. Watching my students’ happiness in learning to read brings me happiness as well.
Mid-year or by the end of the year, I often hear from families that their children are reading more confidently at home. They’ll share how their children are excited to read to siblings or show off what they’ve learned in class. Hearing that makes me feel like I’m doing my job and that the program is working.
There are so many helpful tools in Fundations. The digital board (Fundations® InterActivities on FUN HUB®), with all the cards for building words and phrases, is fantastic for quick activities. The video demonstrations provide another representation for the kids, which can be helpful. The Unit trackers make it easier to share data as a team and see student growth.
The Fundations Readers have been a game-changer, boosting confidence and allowing students to practice the skills we’ve worked on. FUN HUB® Practice is also a relief for me because it provides all the games and activities aligned with the skills we’re focusing on. It’s also great for progress monitoring and assigning activities.
My advice is not to feel discouraged if some students aren’t progressing as quickly as others. Everyone will learn to read at their own pace. Trust the program and know that even if a student isn’t marking words correctly yet, they are still absorbing the information and will get there. Remember, there’s a whole community of support out there for you. Bounce ideas off your colleagues or just pick up the phone and give Wilson a call.