Animals That Molt

Readers explore animals that molt while decoding words with long vowels with VCC endings -old, -olt, -ild, and -ind.

Some animals molt, shedding an old layer of skin, fur, or feathers so a new one can grow. Snakes and lizards shed their scaly skins in one piece. Birds molt to grow new flight feathers, while mammals molt to grow warmer coats for winter. Beginning readers hone their phonics skills while learning about animals that molt. As readers practice decoding words with long vowels with VCC endings -old, -olt, -ild, and -ind, they gain science knowledge. Every Stairway Decodables book combines multiple aspects of the Science of Reading to support small group instruction, independent reading, and reading practice at home.