For Teachers

Empower early readers to become students for life.

As an educator, you play a crucial role in children’s literacy development! Effective phonics instruction lays the foundation kids need to become curious, lifelong learners in the classroom and the world beyond.

Whether you’re considering which phonics instruction methods work best or looking for ways to introduce difficult concepts to students, phonics.org is here to support you.  

Phonics Resources for Teachers

children sitting at a classroom table playing with English alphabet cards

Literacy Development & Phonics for English Language Learners

English Language Learners (ELLs) face unique challenges when developing literacy skills in a new...

Phonics.org: The Ultimate List of Phonics App Reviews 

The Phonics.org team is dedicated to helping parents and teachers navigate the many different...

young girl writing with a crayon

When Do Children Start Writing Sentences?

Learning how to write is a gradual process for children. If you’re a parent...

Basic Transcription Skills in Spelling and Writing

Transcription skills are a big part of a child’s journey into literacy, playing a...

child reading with headphones on a tablet

Top 5 Reading Apps for Kids

With so many educational apps available, it can be tricky to figure out which...

How Does Oral Language Support Children’s Writing? 

How Does Oral Language Support Children’s Writing?  KW: how does oral language support children’s...

phonics for teaching English language learners

Phonics for EAL: Instruction Methods

As one of the most widely-spoken languages in the world, English continues to be...

When Should Kids Learn Phonics?

Every parent and educator wants the best outcome for their students. At the beginning...

Teaching Phonics for Writing Skills

Phonics is the basis of reading instruction. But it’s also equally as important for...

5 Findings That Prove Words Are Remembered in Phonological Memory

To read fluently, the brain pulls from a large sight word vocabulary that we’ve...

The Reading-Writing Connection: A Research Review

The Reading-Writing Connection: A Research Review

The relationship between reading and writing instruction has undergone a significant transformation in American education over the past century. Historically, the reading-writing connection was overlooked, as these two fundamental literacy…

The Connection Between Phonics and Spelling: Building Both Skills Together

The Connection Between Phonics and Spelling: Building Both Skills Together

Learning to read and write are two sides of the same coin. While many parents and teachers might focus on phonics and spelling as separate skills, teaching them together can…

What Phonics Rules Should Children Know (By Age)?

What Phonics Rules Should Children Know (By Age)?

Understanding phonics milestones by age helps parents and educators effectively support children’s literacy development. While every child develops at their own pace, there are general estimates about when and how…

How to Become a Phonics Tutor

How to Become a Phonics Tutor

Are you passionate about helping children learn to read? Whether you’re a parent who has successfully guided your children through their literacy journey or an educator looking to expand your…

Silent Letters and Tricky Words

Silent Letters and Tricky Words

Picture this: Your young reader is confidently sounding out words when they encounter “knife” for the first time. They try their best: “k-n-if-ee?” The confusion on their face is familiar…

The Connection Between Movement and Phonics Learning

The Connection Between Movement and Phonics Learning

When young children learn letter sounds through movement – jumping as they say /j/, reaching high for /t/, or bending low for /d/ – they’re not just having fun. They’re…

Bionic Reading: Y/N?

Bionic Reading: Y/N?

Tech + nature – sounds like the future, right?  In recent years, a new reading method has captured attention across social media and educational technology platforms. Called “bionic reading,” this…

Phonics and the Literacy Crisis: America’s Reading Challenge

Phonics and the Literacy Crisis: America’s Reading Challenge

The statistics are sobering: 66% of American fourth graders are failing to meet proficiency levels in reading, with even more alarming rates among minority students. For Black fourth graders, this…

Words With the Schwa Sound & How to Teach It

Words With the Schwa Sound & How to Teach It

The schwa sound is an essential concept in phonics instruction. However, it can be challenging for both teachers and students. As the most common vowel sound in English, mastering the…

Phonics and Handwriting: Make It Fun!

Phonics and Handwriting: Make It Fun!

Phonics and handwriting are closely intertwined. Because phonics is how children learn to read and write, handwriting is an inevitable skill that learners must develop in order to build a…