A typical lesson for struggling children in Stage 1:

1. Flash cards of letter sounds

2. Teach a new letter sound or revise one that needs more attention.
The children say the sound; do the action; learn the formation,
and write the letters from dictation.
Whilst the children are writing from dictation, watch out for incorrect
formation and pencil hold.
3. Dictate five more letter sounds.
4. Play 'I say it... you say it' with five simple CVC words.
5. Lay down each word for the children read. The children should race to
be the first to read the word (blending if necessary).
6. Call out some CVC words for the children to say the sounds, and hold
up a finger for each one.
7. Dictate a couple of the words.
8. Provide a few words and pictures for the children to pair up. While the
children are occupied with this, listen to each child individually reading
through their box of letter sounds. If appropriate, add new letter sounds
to the box.
9. Give a small amount of homework. Provide a short list of words for
blending practice (only for those children who can blend), or a few
dictation words (only for those children who can write from dictation).
The aim is to develop fluency.