Phonics

Phonics Instruction that Supports a Lifetime of Literacy

A one-page graphic showing what systematic, explicit, and responsive phonics instruction looks like and how it supports reading, writing, discussion, and knowledge building.

Cracking the Code on CVC Words

An infographic explainer of CVC words and related closed-syllable patterns, including words with consonant digraphs and blends.

Word Chains: More Than Meets the Eye

Look closely at what happens between one word and the next. Explore how word chains bring phonemic awareness, phonics, spelling,...

R-Controlled and Other Vowel Sounds: Decodable Word Lists and Sentences

Word lists and practice sentences for r-controlled vowels and other vowel spellings, including au, aw, ew, oi, oo, ou, and...

Video

Sound Pronunciation Video: First Sounds

Learn correct alphabet letter sounds in this video. Perfect for teaching alphabet sounds, minimizing schwa, and improving articulation for blending...

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How to Get More from Your Phonics Curriculum

Four ways to help your phonics curriculum do more by using a single word to connect reading, spelling, meaning, and...

A Pup Can: Print-and-Assemble PDF

An engaging print-and-assemble decodable book for practicing short-vowel CVC words.

Cat Naps: Printable One-Pager

A one-page version of Cat Naps for short-a CVC decoding practice.

Explicit and Systematic Phonics Instruction Is Essential. But Don’t Stop There.

Explicit, systematic phonics instruction matters. Explore how to connect it with spelling, vocabulary, and language so students can use what...

Cat Naps: Print-and-Assemble PDF

A delightful print-and-assemble decodable book for practicing short-a CVC words.

Short Vowels: Decodable Word Lists and Sentences

Short-vowel word lists, from simple CVC words to words with consonant blends and digraphs, plus corresponding decodable sentences to support...

Cracking the Code on CVC Words (and Beyond!)

Take a closer look at CVC words, why they matter for beginning readers, and practical ways to connect early decoding...

Sound-Spelling Charts for Beginning Readers

Three printable charts pairing the 26 letters with keyword pictures and common sound-spelling connections, plus ideas for active, cumulative practice.

Phonics Skills Progression

A planning reference showing an example phonics skills progression, from the earliest decoding skills to complex multisyllabic words, with example...

Phonemic Awareness vs. Phonics: Untangling Some Confusion

Untangle phonemic awareness and phonics: what each involves, how they connect, and what those distinctions mean for the instruction you...

Explicit Phonics Lesson Planning Template

A flexible template and planning guidance for explicit phonics instruction for whole-class or small-group teaching.

Long Vowels: Decodable Word Lists and Sentences

Word lists organized by long-vowel sound and common spelling patterns, with corresponding decodable sentences to support phonics instruction and ongoing...

A Phonics Lesson Planning “Easy Button!”

Simplify phonics lesson planning with a flexible template that brings the components of explicit instruction together and helps you plan...

Word Chain Lists: 47 Closed-Syllable Word Chains

47 closed-syllable word chains that bring phonemic awareness, decoding, and encoding together as students listen, compare, change, spell, and read...

Using our Flexible Phonics Lesson Template (Part 8): Spelling Comparisons

Use spelling comparisons to help students notice differences between words and deepen their attention to the phonics patterns they are...

Using our Flexible Phonics Lesson Template (Part 7): Word Chains

Explore how word chains can extend explicit skills practice by asking students to notice, change, read, and spell words one...

Using Our Flexible Phonics Lesson Template (Part 6): Reading Text

Bring the phonics lesson into connected text, giving students opportunities to apply the patterns they’ve practiced as they read for...

Using Our Flexible Phonics Lesson Template (Part 5): Writing

Connect phonics instruction with writing, helping students apply what they know about sounds and spellings as part of a flexible...

Using Our Flexible Phonics Lesson Template (Part 4): Blending Words

Help students put sound-spelling knowledge to work through blending practice, connecting individual sounds to the words they read in a...

Using Our Flexible Phonics Lesson Template (Part 3): Explicit Skills Practice

Plan explicit practice with the phonics pattern students are learning, using a focused component of the flexible phonics lesson template.