In addition to hands-on, play-based activities in each Level 2 unit, we will also be introducing a phonetic rule or a multi-letter phonogram to your child each week. (Note: We covered single-letter phonograms in Level 1. If your child doesn’t know these, we suggest using the Letter of the Week from Level 1 before moving on to this phonics level.)
Learning the 74 multi-letter phonograms that make up the English language will help your child have a full understanding of phonics—the building blocks to reading. Here’s how to make the most of this part of your child’s lesson plan.
What it includes:
Each phonics guide link includes 3-4 pages about the phonics rule or phonogram. The first page explains the rule and provides visual examples.
The second page will be used to create your child’s personal phonics rule book. Similar to the phonics book from Level 1, the phonics rule book is a simple, hands-on way to bring the phonics rule or phonogram into the real world for your child. On the top half of the sheet, print, cut out, and glue (or have your child draw) pictures of things or words that feature the highlighted phonics rule or phonogram. Put the page in a folder or thin binder that you will use specifically for your phonic rule book.
Below the blank space, you will also see lines for writing. This is your “word scavenger hunt” section. Throughout the week (or whenever your child feels inspired), have them write words they encounter that feature the highlighted rule or phonogram. When the page is complete, you may also wish to laminate for durability.
The last page of your phonics guide is a coloring page that helps your child to make connections between the rule and the unit you are working on. Once your child has colored it, display it in your work space to reinforce the phonics rule throughout the week.
What to do:
Begin by printing the phonics guide for the week. Look for opportunities to introduce the phonics rule or phonogram in a natural way. We have selected rules that fit the unit in some way. It could be the spelling of a word, the theme of the unit, or something in one of the stories that are highlighted in the unit. It is our hope that the phonics will have a natural connection to your lesson so that your child becomes interested in learning about it.
As you read your books and work through the unit activities, look for examples of the rule or phonogram at play. These rules will also help you (the grownup) answer the sometimes frustrating question, “Why is it spelled like this?” Instead of saying, “English is weird!” you will learn the rules that dictate our sometimes complicated language and be able to teach these to your child with confidence.
Each week as you learn about a new rule or phonogram, add the new phonics sheet to your book. Review the book a few times each week until your child has mastered these phonics rules. You can also watch our IGTV to learn how our co-founder created her phonics book with her child.
Hands-on activity ideas:
We’ve sometimes include unit-specific ideas to review each phonics rule within your unit lesson plan, but below is a general list of hands-on ideas you can use. Pick one each week to reinforce the rule or phonogram for your child.
- Use moveable letters to build words that use the phonogram or words that follow the spelling rule (or break it).
- Play scavenger hunt! Look for items in your home that are spelled following the rules or using the letters of the phonogram. Review the different ways the phonogram can be read, if applicable.
- Write out the words from page one of the phonics guide onto sticky notes and hide them around the home. Ask your child to find the notes and break down the spelling rule or phonics in each word.
- Take it outside! Use sidewalk chalk to write the words from page one of the phonics guide. Ask your child to jump on the multi-letter phonogram or spelling rule as they read the word out loud.
- Build a wall of words! Each time a word comes up in your reading that matches the spelling rule or the phonogram, write the word onto a flash card and tape it to a wall in your work space.