Fast Lane Literacy is an evidence-based early literacy program that accelerates foundational reading skills so children begin reading quickly and confidently.
The goal is to help children efficiently become beginning readers who can fully benefit from future instruction and reading experiences. By building a strong foundation early, children are better prepared for long-term reading success.
What is Fast Lane Literacy?
What skills does Fast Lane Literacy teach?
Fast Lane Literacy targets the core skills required for learning to read.
Rather than teaching skills in isolation, instruction integrates them for greater efficiency and effectiveness. Skills include:
● Phonemic awareness
● Letter–sound correspondences
● Blending and segmenting
● Decoding
● Connections between reading, spelling, and handwriting
Rather than teaching skills in isolation, instruction integrates them for greater efficiency and effectiveness. Skills include:
● Phonemic awareness
● Letter–sound correspondences
● Blending and segmenting
● Decoding
● Connections between reading, spelling, and handwriting
What age is Fast Lane Literacy for?
Fast Lane Literacy is designed for children ages 4–7.
It is ideal for children who are just beginning to read or who need a boost in foundational skills. No prior knowledge is required. Children who already know some letter–sound correspondences may progress more quickly, but those skills are also taught within the program.
For children younger than kindergarten age, take a relaxed approach. Let the child set the pace, follow their interest, and take breaks as needed. For children under age 4, we recommend focusing on building strong oral language skills to prepare them for future reading instruction.
It is ideal for children who are just beginning to read or who need a boost in foundational skills. No prior knowledge is required. Children who already know some letter–sound correspondences may progress more quickly, but those skills are also taught within the program.
For children younger than kindergarten age, take a relaxed approach. Let the child set the pace, follow their interest, and take breaks as needed. For children under age 4, we recommend focusing on building strong oral language skills to prepare them for future reading instruction.
Does the child need to be able to write?
No.
Although the workbook includes writing activities, all tasks can be completed using letter tiles and word and picture cards. Writing provides helpful practice, but mastery is not expected—especially for younger children. For guidance on letter formation see these sheets.
Although the workbook includes writing activities, all tasks can be completed using letter tiles and word and picture cards. Writing provides helpful practice, but mastery is not expected—especially for younger children. For guidance on letter formation see these sheets.
Does Fast Lane Literacy have a scope and sequence?
Yes.
The workbook moves through nine steps, each introducing new letters, patterns, and words. Each step includes a variety of activities to support learning. While a suggested sequence is provided, adults can move more quickly or slowly depending on the child’s needs.
The workbook moves through nine steps, each introducing new letters, patterns, and words. Each step includes a variety of activities to support learning. While a suggested sequence is provided, adults can move more quickly or slowly depending on the child’s needs.
Does Fast Lane Literacy align with the Science of Reading?
Yes—Fast Lane Literacy is fully grounded in the Science of Reading.
Instruction is explicit and systematic, while also supporting the brain’s ability to implicitly learn patterns and words. A carefully selected, overlapping set of words helps children quickly grasp the alphabetic principle and apply a small number of letter–sound correspondences to begin decoding.
This approach allows children to build a strong, connected foundation of words and patterns that can easily expand as they read more over time.
Instruction is explicit and systematic, while also supporting the brain’s ability to implicitly learn patterns and words. A carefully selected, overlapping set of words helps children quickly grasp the alphabetic principle and apply a small number of letter–sound correspondences to begin decoding.
This approach allows children to build a strong, connected foundation of words and patterns that can easily expand as they read more over time.
What makes Fast Lane Literacy different from other literacy programs?
Fast Lane Literacy is designed for efficiency and clarity.
Instead of adding more activities, it focuses on high-impact instruction that is explicit, systematic, and easy for any adult to deliver consistently.
Instead of adding more activities, it focuses on high-impact instruction that is explicit, systematic, and easy for any adult to deliver consistently.
Can Fast Lane Literacy be used alongside an existing curriculum?
Yes.
Fast Lane Literacy works well as a starting point before traditional curriculum materials or a supplement for children who need support establishing foundational reading skills.
Fast Lane Literacy works well as a starting point before traditional curriculum materials or a supplement for children who need support establishing foundational reading skills.
Is Fast Lane Literacy scripted?
Not completely.
The program provides clear routines and instructional language while maintaining flexibility. Adults know what to do and what to say, without feeling locked into a rigid script.
The program provides clear routines and instructional language while maintaining flexibility. Adults know what to do and what to say, without feeling locked into a rigid script.
How much time does Fast Lane Literacy take?
Instruction should be brief and focused.
Most children benefit from 10–15 minutes per day, and many complete the program in less than one month.
Most children benefit from 10–15 minutes per day, and many complete the program in less than one month.
What training is required to use Fast Lane Literacy?
No training is required.
The program is intuitive and designed for adults with or without teaching experience. Simply open the box and begin.
The program is intuitive and designed for adults with or without teaching experience. Simply open the box and begin.
Why does Fast Lane Literacy use a limited set of letters?
Using a limited set of letter–sound correspondences allows children to experience the writing system as more predictable.
This leads to early success, confidence, and stronger learning. Once children master the material, they can easily incorporate new letters and words into the robust mental framework they’ve built.
This leads to early success, confidence, and stronger learning. Once children master the material, they can easily incorporate new letters and words into the robust mental framework they’ve built.
How do we know if Fast Lane Literacy is working?
Children should be confidently completing reading activities.
They should read words accurately and with a pace and expression that sound like natural speech. If a child is struggling, repeat activities within a step or provide additional practice using the letter tiles and word and picture cards.
They should read words accurately and with a pace and expression that sound like natural speech. If a child is struggling, repeat activities within a step or provide additional practice using the letter tiles and word and picture cards.
