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SIPPS, Fifth Edition (K–12)

Systematic, Explicit Decoding Instruction for Grades K–12

New Fifth Edition Available in February 2025

Every new and striving reader deserves effective, research-based instruction in word recognition and fluency that puts them on the path to grade-level reading success.

Backed by third-party studies and nationally recognized, the SIPPS® program is:

  • Aligned with the science of reading
  • Designed to accelerate and solidify students’ mastery of foundational skills
  • Flexible, adaptable, and MTSS-aligned for use across all three tiers of instruction
  • Proven effective with young readers (K–3) as well as older striving readers (4–12)

How SIPPS Works

Systematic Scope and Sequence

The program’s systematic scope and sequence provides a structured-literacy approach to instruction through explicit routines focused on phonological awareness, spelling-sounds, and high-frequency words. Each level of SIPPS corresponds to a specific stage of reading development.

Differentiated Instruction

SIPPS is taught in groups of students with similar needs to allow for targeted instruction. An initial placement assessment determines the appropriate entry point for each student. Teachers are provided with embedded support and periodic mastery tests to help make informed decisions about advancing students or reteaching. 

Engaging Decodable Texts

Students are intrinsically motivated to read age-appropriate decodable texts that include recently taught spelling-sounds and high-frequency words. Students progress from small, decodable readers to an anthology of engaging stories that are carefully scaffolded to build skills from the phonics continuum.

Available for purchase separately, K–12 Fluency Practice Libraries for SIPPS provide additional opportunities for students to practice applying their newly learned skills as they transition to trade books.

Intensive Multisensory Instruction

For students who need additional support to access the foundational skills necessary for reading independence, the Intensive Multisensory Instruction for SIPPS Handbook provides enhanced teacher guidance for each instructional routine, as well as additional multisensory strategies for integrating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile learning pathways.

Support for Multilingual Learners

SIPPS organizes the complex English vowel system to demonstrate its logic and power; the program also teaches phonics and spelling strategies together so they are mutually reinforcing. This is particularly helpful to multilingual learners who have transferred some first-language skills to English reading but need more confidence as writers due to limited mastery of English spelling.

SIPPS for Grades K–3

Beginning Level, Grades K–3

Beginning Level provides on-level instruction for kindergarten students and takes non-readers through the simple alphabetic phase of reading. It is an intervention for readers in grades 1–3.

Extension Level, Grades 1–3

Extension Level is appropriate for readers who have mastered the simple alphabetic phase and are ready to move on to the spelling-pattern phase. It provides on-level instruction for grade 1 students and an intervention for readers in grades 2–3.

Challenge Level, Grades 2–3

The SIPPS Challenge Level is developmentally appropriate for students in grades 2 and 3 and beyond who have mastered the spelling-pattern phase of reading. This level focuses on the polysyllabic/morphemic phase and teaches the complex polysyllabic decoding skills and strategies necessary for students to become fully independent, fluent readers.

SIPPS for Grades 4–12

SIPPS Plus, Grades 4–12

SIPPS Plus is uniquely designed to provide age-appropriate foundational skills intervention for students in grades 4–12 who are reading at a first- or second-grade level. Using an accelerative scope and sequence and reading material that respects the learner, SIPPS Plus merges content from the Beginning and Extension Levels into 55 lessons. 

Dreams on Wheels, an anthology of short, decodable texts on topics that appeal to the interests and content-reading demands of older students, provides decodable text correlated to the lessons.

SIPPS Challenge Level, Grades 4–12

For older students who have mastered the spelling-pattern phase, Challenge Level focuses on syllabic patterns, including open and closed syllables and consonant/vowel patterns, and morphological units, including common prefixes, roots, and suffixes. Differentiated word lists provide students with practice in reading and spelling polysyllabic words they are likely to encounter at their grade level.

SIPPS for Tutoring and Expanded Learning

Learn why SIPPS is so effective in tutoring and expanded learning settings, and hear from literacy leaders who are accelerating students’ reading success with SIPPS.

LEARN MORE

Aligned with the Multi-Tiered System of Support

SIPPS aligns with the MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support) framework and can be used across all three tiers of instruction.:

  • When used as a core/Tier I program, SIPPS supports the acquisition of grade-level, foundational skills standards.
  • When used as Tier II and Tier III, SIPPS accelerates progress so that students are able to efficiently close the gap and engage in grade-level reading.

Instructionally Aligned with Being a Reader

Being a Reader (comprehensive) and Being a Reader Small-Group Reading Sets (supplemental) share aligned scopes and sequences and teaching routines with SIPPS, providing a smooth transition for students moving between tiers.

Support for Teachers

Educative Curriculum

SIPPS supports teachers of all experience levels with in-program features that develop their knowledge of content and pedagogy. Support includes clearly articulated instructional routines, access to recordings, support for multilingual learners, and recommendations for differentiation based on progress monitoring data.

Digital Resources via the Learning Portal

The Teacher Learning System (TLS) provides teachers with self-guided professional learning and program support. ClassView Pro allows teachers to collect and share student assessment data. The Support Center is where educators can browse articles to find answers to their questions or be connected to live chat agents.

Support for Leaders

Collaborative Classroom provides guidance for organizations to plan for, launch and support the implementation of the SIPPS program. The SIPPS Implementation Guidance is designed for organizations implementing SIPPS without Being a Reader. The Professional Learning System (PLS) is designed for organizations implementing SIPPS as the intervention to Being a Reader.

The Collaborative Leadership Community provides access to timely information related to implementation resources, onboarding tools, and data-driven professional learning support. It is also a place to network with other implementation leaders. 

Why Are So Many States Recommending SIPPS?

Learn why states across the nation have vetted and approved SIPPS as high-quality, research-based instructional materials.

READ THE BLOG

Professional Learning

For schools looking for additional implementation support, Collaborative Classroom offers a variety of in-person and virtual learning pathways including year-long or summer-specific learning plans that can be tailored as needed, and one-on-one virtual coaching with Collaborative Coach.

OUR APPROACH TO PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

SIPPS Certification Courses

Coming Fall 2025

Collaborative Classroom offers two new badged certification courses:

  • SIPPS 5th Edition Certified Educators will be qualified to teach all levels of SIPPS.
  • SIPPS 5th Edition Certified Trainers will be licensed to facilitate SIPPS 5e professional learning and receive access to exclusive facilitation resources.

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