The PAF Teacher Handbook is a road map for the successful implementation of the program with detailed instructions on how to teach all the crucial components of PAF: phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, word recognition, vocabulary, spelling, handwriting, and comprehension. The clearly written, step-by-step instructions are teacher friendly and designed to simplify lesson planning. The Teacher Handbook is an invaluable resource that also includes information about the importance of direct explicit instruction and other research-based practices.

The Teacher Handbook includes:
• Sequence of skills
• Instructional language to teach concepts
• How to use materials for planning lessons
• Words and sentences for spelling dictations
• Assessments
• How and when to use additional resources on the PAF website

The Teacher Handbook is divided into two volumes. Volume 1 covers the first three readers (Levels 1-74). Volume 2 covers the last four readers (Levels 75-184), and Final Steps (Levels 185-200).

The PAF Reading Series is comprised of seven beginning readers that follow the instructional sequence in the PAF Reading Program. The decodable text only contains sounds that have been taught, so that children can sound out the words. In addition, the repetition of the vocabulary allows children to develop recognition of common words, while the length of words and complexity of sentences gradually increases. The books provide the practice needed to develop accurate and fluent reading, as well as coherent stories that support effective reading strategies. These beautifully illustrated chapter books contain the basic elements of storytelling—character, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution which will improve children’s comprehension.

Each chapter book has a corresponding skills book. They contain activities for teachers to provide direct instruction in phonemic awareness, decoding, word recognition, spelling, handwriting, vocabulary, and comprehension. They are not meant for the children to use independently, but rather under teacher supervision with discussion and immediate feedback.

Each decodable chapter book in the PAF Reading Series has a corresponding Teacher Edition. The purpose of the Teacher Edition is to model:

• How often to ask questions
• Using higher-level language when asking questions
• Eliciting higher-level language from students during discussions
• A range of comprehension strategies
• Anticipating words or phrases that may cause confusion or comprehension difficulties

The Teacher Edition is not meant to be a script but rather a guide. Questioning techniques should ultimately be determined by the needs of the students.

The card packs are an integral part of the PAF Reading Program. The Alphabet and Key Word Picture Cards contain illustrations of a key word for each new sound and the letter or letters that make the sound. The Review Packs contain letters, letter combinations, non-phonetic words, and homonyms. They are used at the beginning of each PAF lesson to review recently taught skills and any skills that children have not mastered. The cards in the Review Pack are used to develop automatic sound-symbol associations which are the foundation of fluent reading and spelling.