Phonetic Reading

The phonetic activities are the earliest reading lessons we offer the child. Each activity features a single word (or a short grouping of words) that can be decoded using the child’s knowledge of the consonant and short vowel sounds learned through his or her work with the sandpaper letters and the moveable alphabet.

At Home Phonetic Flash Cards ages 4 and up

Directions: Print and cut out the phonetic flash cards. We call these “flashcards” because we want to read the cards quickly or in a “flash”! Blend the individual sounds to decode the word. When the word is identified, say the entire word out loud. Read each of the cards in the stack. When finished, mix the cards and try reading the words more quickly.

Extension: Get a small sand timer. Try to read as many cards as possible before the sand runs out. Challenge yourself to read more cards with each try.

Choose the set of flashcards that meets the child’s current ability:

At Home Phonetic Command Cards ages 4 and up

Directions: Print and cut out the phonetic command cards. Read each card and follow the directions. Consider writing your commands on slips of paper.

The phonogram activities help to extend a child’s experience with reading words that include sound blends, digraphs, and vowel teams (such as /sh/, /wh/, /ee/, and /ar/).

At Home Phonogram Flash Cards ages 4 ½ and up

Directions: Print and cut out the phonogram flashcards. Each set has a key picture on the first card to help identify the featured phonogram. The phonogram is also highlighted in green. Blend the individual sounds and decode the word. When the word is identified, say the entire word out loud. Try to read the whole stack. When finished, mix the cards and try reading the cards more quickly.

Extension: Get a small sand timer. Try to read as many cards as possible before the sand runs out. Challenge yourself to read more cards with each try.

Choose the flashcard set based on the phonogram you are interested in.

Ch, Ph, Sh, Th, and Wh:

Kn, Ng, Qu, and Wr :

Ai, Ay, and A_E

Ee, Ea, Y, and E_E

Ie, Igh, I, I_E, and Y

Oa, Ow, O, and O_E

Ue, Oo, Ew, and U_E

Ar and Or

Er, Ir, and Ur

Ce and Ci:

Ow and Ou

Oy and Oi

At Home Phonogram Commands ages 4 ½ and up

Directions: Print and cut out the phonogram command cards. Read each card and follow the directions. Consider writing your own commands on slips of paper.

We introduce puzzle words after the child has lots of experience with reading phonetically. Puzzle words do not follow the phonetic rules. They are typically irregularly spelled and often come from other languages. These words (such as laugh, the, and what) have to be memorized. We introduce puzzle words using three-period lessons.

At Home Puzzle Words ages 4 ½ and up

Directions: Print and cut out the puzzle words. Choose three contrasting words to introduce to your child using a three-period lesson, using the guidelines below. Over time, introduce additional words in the same manner.

Puzzle Word Coloring Page ages 5 and up

Directions: Color in the puzzle words using the color code listed to create a vibrant picture.

Puzzle Words Word Find ages 5 and up

Directions: Search for the puzzle words hidden in the block of letters. The puzzle words can be found across, down, or diagonally. Circle the words when you find them, and check the word off of the list below.