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Teacher in a Backpack: Summer Reading Program Aligned to the Science of Reading Research

These ready-to-use, Science of Reading–aligned K–5 literacy kits help students maintain and strengthen reading skills during summer break or other long breaks from school. Each kit reviews skills taught in the student’s previous grade and includes easy-to-follow daily routines supported by teacher-led instructional videos.

Strengthen the Home-to-School Connection

This program equips families with books, activities, and teacher-led videos to prevent the summer slide and support continued growth at home.

Download a free sample of Teacher in a Backpack
Science of Reading Aligned Decodable Books (12)

Teacher in a Backpack is an All-in-One Summer Reading Program

No more take-home packets that go untouched or trying to convince students to stay engaged with reading over the summer. With Teacher in a Backpack, students are motivated and excited to keep learning, because it’s fun and built just for them.

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Built for Summer Success, Aligned to the Science of Reading 
 
Everything you need in one ready-to-use backpack: 10 curated decodable books (K–2) or connected texts (3–5), a 40-day workbook for ten weeks of learning, and ... most importantly ... teacher-led videos that guide students through critical skills with every book!
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Stop the Summer Slide Before it Starts
 
Students can lose up to two months of reading skills over summer break. This structured backpack stops that loss in its tracks—with 10 engaging books, daily activities, and teacher-led videos that keep kids learning (and loving it) all summer long.
2-Oct-02-2025-11-46-52-9169-PM
Designed to Build Confidence in Every Learner
 
This all-in-one summer reading program delivers high-quality, research-aligned literacy activities across your school or district. This helps prevent summer learning loss and builds student confidence, ensuring all students return ready to learn.
Teacher in a Backpack

🎒 Pack a Teacher, Not Just Books

Sold in sets of 15 backpacks for $599. Additional backpacks are available in sets of 5 for $199.

Teacher in a Backpack includes:

  • 10 engaging books + a 40-day workbook — ready-to-use materials that guide daily reading all aligned to the Science of Reading Research

  • Teacher-led videos — quick phonics and word lessons to ensure consistency and instill confidence in both students and caregivers

  • Built-in supplies + caregiver tips — everything students need, plus simple instructions that make it easy for families.

Order Teacher in a Backpack

Kindergarten

$599 - (15 bags)

1-Jan-22-2026-12-54-02-2732-AM

Activities reinforce:

  • Word Mapping and word chaining
  • High-frequency words and comprehension
  • Fluency to support accuracy and automaticity
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First Grade

$599 - (15 bags)

5-Jan-26-2026-11-07-46-6626-PM

Activities reinforce:

  • Word Mapping and word chaining
  • High-frequency words and comprehension
  • Fluency to support accuracy and automaticity
Order now

Second Grade

$599 - (15 bags)

8-3

Activities reinforce:

  • Word Mapping and word chaining
  • High-frequency words and comprehension
  • Fluency to support accuracy and automaticity
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Third Grade

$599 - (15 bags)

11-4

Activities reinforce:

  • Strengthen syllabication and morphology
  • Vocabulary and comprehension
  • Fluency to support the reading of multisyllabic words and deeper text understanding
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Fourth Grade

$599 - (15 bags)

14-1

Activities reinforce:

  • Strengthen syllabication and morphology
  • Vocabulary and comprehension
  • Fluency to support the reading of multisyllabic words and deeper text understanding
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Fifth Grade

$599 - (15 bags)

17-1

Activities reinforce:

  • Strengthen syllabication and morphology
  • Vocabulary and comprehension
  • Fluency to support the reading of multisyllabic words and deeper text understanding
Order now

Don't Just Take Our Word for It ...

“As the instructional coach at my school, we just purchased the second-grade set. They are fabulously aligned to the second-grade scope and sequence. The kids and teachers LOVE them. These are by far my favorite decodables.”

Mandie Guinn
Instructional Coach

“My school bought the physical copies to enhance our UFLI implementation. Teachers love them and say that kids are more engaged. Lit coaches liked them because they came with a title (or a few) aligned to each of the UFLI lessons.”

Ryan Parker
Teacher

“We recently purchased the entire green set for our teachers, and I purchased the digital subscription to use with my students. Worth every cent! The kids love the books, and with the digital subscription, they can read the book on their devices during e-learning. ”

Stephanie Buchanan
Teacher

“Love. Love. Love these. Paired with the UFLI lesson slides together they hit all six strands of the reading rope. Also, I love the visuals and diversity of characters. I teach middle school ESL, and they are not too babyish like a lot of other resources.”

Sara Bunker
Teacher

“We love our digital subscription. They have the aligned green and orange books that align with UFLI's scope and sequence. We use these with our older students who we use UFLI for intervention, as they were longer and more interesting.”

Aynslee Sararas
Teacher

“We use these in K-2 at my school, and we love them!! Love that they are aligned with UFLI and easy to find!”

Madison Barker
Teacher

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