Unlocking Literacy: Structured, Systematic, and Multisensory Phonics Intervention with Struggling 5th Grade Readers
Location
Boston 1
Session Format
Presentation
Abstract
Many upper elementary students continue to struggle with reading because they lack a strong foundation in phonics and decoding skills. Unlocking Literacy: Structured, Systematic, and Multisensory Phonics Intervention for Struggling 5th Grade Readers explores how intentional phonics instruction, typically reserved for early grades, can be adapted to meet the needs of older learners. This intervention uses a structured and systematic approach while incorporating multisensory strategies that actively engage students in connecting sounds, letters, and meaning. The goal is to build decoding accuracy, fluency, and confidence so that students can access grade-level texts more successfully. Results from classroom implementation show that 5th grade readers benefit from explicit phonics instruction when it is hands-on, consistent, and tied to comprehension. This work emphasizes the importance of continuing to address foundational reading skills beyond the primary grades and provides practical strategies that educators can use to support struggling readers in upper elementary classrooms.
Keywords
Science of Reading, Phonics, Multisensory, Upper Grade Level
Professional Bio
Kimberly Driskell is an Early Childhood educator with 12 years of experience. She currently teaches 5th grade English Language Arts and Social Studies at T.G. Scott Elementary in Monroe County. Prior to this role, she taught 3rd grade for seven years, gaining extensive experience in literacy instruction and student support. Kimberly has worked closely with students in Special Education and the Early Intervention Program, emphasizing inclusive and differentiated practices. She is pursuing leadership opportunities through the Department of Education at Georgia College & State University and is passionate about fostering literacy growth and academic success for all learners.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Driskell, Kimberly, "Unlocking Literacy: Structured, Systematic, and Multisensory Phonics Intervention with Struggling 5th Grade Readers" (2026). Georgia Educational Research Association Conference. 8.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gera/2026/2026/8
Unlocking Literacy: Structured, Systematic, and Multisensory Phonics Intervention with Struggling 5th Grade Readers
Boston 1
Many upper elementary students continue to struggle with reading because they lack a strong foundation in phonics and decoding skills. Unlocking Literacy: Structured, Systematic, and Multisensory Phonics Intervention for Struggling 5th Grade Readers explores how intentional phonics instruction, typically reserved for early grades, can be adapted to meet the needs of older learners. This intervention uses a structured and systematic approach while incorporating multisensory strategies that actively engage students in connecting sounds, letters, and meaning. The goal is to build decoding accuracy, fluency, and confidence so that students can access grade-level texts more successfully. Results from classroom implementation show that 5th grade readers benefit from explicit phonics instruction when it is hands-on, consistent, and tied to comprehension. This work emphasizes the importance of continuing to address foundational reading skills beyond the primary grades and provides practical strategies that educators can use to support struggling readers in upper elementary classrooms.
