Word Work: Phonics & Spelling

Teaching phonics and spelling together offers powerful benefits for developing strong literacy skills. When taught in tandem, students learn to both decode and encode words using the same sound-symbol relationships, reinforcing their understanding through multiple pathways. As children sound out words in phonics, they build the skills needed to read fluently; when they apply those same patterns to spelling, they deepen their grasp of how words are constructed. This dual approach strengthens memory for common spelling rules and irregular words, supports accurate reading and writing, and promotes confidence in independent work. Integrating phonics and spelling instruction ensures that students don’t just recognize words—they truly understand how they work.

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We take a unique approach to spelling. Instead of simply memorizing a list of words, students receive five new words each week. Their weekly spelling test includes 10 words: the 5 new words plus 5 "surprise" words randomly selected from previous weeks.

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This approach promotes long-term retention, reinforces decoding skills, and supports spelling as a tool for better reading and writing, not just a weekly quiz.

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For phonics instruction, we use the UFLI program (University of Florida Literacy Institute) with beginning readers to build strong foundational skills. If necessary, we supplement with the REWARDS Reading program to reinforce more advanced decoding, fluency, and comprehension strategies.

 

Throughout the week, we incorporate a variety of hands-on activities that support different learning styles and keep students actively engaged in spelling practice.