#28 Reading Mistake: Teaching Rare Phonics Patterns Too Early
A systematic phonics scope and sequence is much more than a checklist of concepts to teach. The order in which phonics patterns are introduced has a direct impact on how quickly students become successful readers and spellers. One of the biggest mistakes educators can make is teaching rare phonics patterns too early without considering how many words those patterns will unlock for students. Not all spelling patterns occur with the same frequency. Some appear in hundreds of words children encounter every day, while others are relatively uncommon. An effective scope and sequence prioritizes the most common and productive patterns first because those patterns “buy” students access to the greatest number of words as early as possible.
Teach High-Impact Phonics Patterns Before Rare Ones
Think about it this way. It makes far more instructional sense to teach sh before rh. Students will immediately use sh to decode and spell words such as ship, shop, fish, brush, wash, and wish. On the other hand, the rh spelling pattern appears in relatively few words, such as rhyme, rhythm, and rhino. While those words are certainly important, they simply don’t provide the same return on instructional time early in a student’s reading journey.
This doesn’t mean we never teach less common spelling patterns. It simply means we teach them when students are developmentally ready and after they have mastered the patterns that will have the greatest impact on their reading and spelling.
An Intentional Exception
One question I have received is why our scope and sequence introduces ch representing the /k/ sound so early. The answer is intentional. We introduce this spelling because of the word school. School is already part of nearly every child’s everyday vocabulary. Since students see, hear, and use this word regularly, it makes sense to provide a brief introduction to this pronunciation so they can successfully decode and spell it. Because this pronunciation of ch is more advanced, we don’t spend extensive instructional time on it. Students read and spell a few carefully selected words, practice the pattern in a short decodable passage, and then move on. The emphasis quickly returns to the high-frequency spelling patterns that will continue to unlock the greatest number of words.
In other words, ch making the /k/ sound is an intentional exception, not a change in philosophy.
A Scope and Sequence Should Build Success
An effective scope and sequence should never feel random. Each lesson should build upon the previous one, providing students with another powerful tool they can immediately apply to their reading and spelling. As students accumulate these high-frequency spelling patterns, they gain access to hundreds, and eventually thousands, of additional words. This sequential approach develops confidence because students experience success from the very beginning. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by isolated exceptions or uncommon spellings, they continually build on concepts they already know. When phonics instruction is carefully sequenced, every lesson expands a student’s ability to decode unfamiliar words and encode words in spelling.
That is exactly what systematic, explicit instruction is designed to accomplish.
Takeaway
A strong scope and sequence doesn’t simply teach every phonics pattern.
It teaches the right patterns at the right time, intentionally giving students access to the greatest number of words as early as possible. Except a few carefully selected concepts, such as ch representing the /k/ sound in school, each lesson is designed to maximize learning, build confidence, and create successful readers one pattern at a time.
Continue Building Strong Readers
If you’d like to learn more about systematic, explicit reading instruction, explore the training, courses, webinars, and free literacy resources available through the Orton Gillingham Online Academy. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, interventionist, tutor, homeschool parent, or simply someone who wants to better understand how children learn to read, we’re here to support your journey.
Visit www.ortongillinghamonlineacademy.com to discover practical, evidence-based resources designed to help unlock the door to reading.