There are quite a few phonics rules out there - and as adults, we may not even know them!

This is because we can read and spell most words without much thought -we have a high level of fluency.

Phonics rules can be helpful to students learning phonics for the first time, however. We can think of rules as "placeholders" - temporary supports that are helpful until students become proficient with these words.

If you teach phonics to 1st, 2nd, or 3rd graders, here are some rules that are helpful to know. (Of course, not all rules are appropriate to each of these grade levels.)

1. Double final consonant rule: If a short vowel word or syllable ends with the /f/, /l/, /s/, or /z/ sound, it usually gets a double f, l, s, or z at the end. (Examples: puff, fill, press, buzz). Exception: bus
2. Choosing between c and k: To figure out if the /k/ sound should be spelled with the letter c or k, look at the letter following the /k/ sound. If it’s a consonant (example: the r in “creek,” use c. If the letter is an a or o (example: the a in “cat”), use c. However, if the next letter is an i or e (example: the i in “kite”), use “k.”
3. Hard c & g: Typically, if the vowel following “c” or “g” is a, o, or u, the sound is hard. (Examples: goat, cup)
4. Soft c & g: Typically, if the vowel following “c” or “g”  is e, i, or y the sound is soft. (Examples: giraffe, cinema)
5. Choosing between ch and tch: When you hear /ch/ sound at the end of the word or syllable and it is preceded by a short vowel, it is spelled -tch (examples: notch, witch, fetch). However, if there is a consonant, diphthong, long vowel or vowel team prior to the /ch/ sound, it is spelled -ch (examples: haunch, mulch, ouch).
6. Choosing between ge and dge: When you hear the /j/ sound at the end of a word or syllable and it is preceded by a short vowel, it is spelled -dge (examples: dodge, wedge, ridge). If there is a consonant, long vowel, or vowel team prior to the /j/ sound, it is spelled -ge (examples: siege, huge, wage).
7. “S” pronounced /z/: When an “s” appears between two vowels, the sound produced is /z/ (example: result, rise, music, use). 

Of course, these are not the only 7 phonics rules! It's important to have a systematic, explicit phonics program. Phonics programs take the "guesswork" out of teaching phonics and guide your students in learning words, phonics patterns, and phonics rules.

From Sounds to Spelling is a science-based, teacher-friendly phonics program for Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade. Our teachers love how easy it is to use - how the downloadable PDFs are organized, and how the login area includes videos to help you teach the program. 

To learn more about From Sounds to Spelling and download a free week's worth of materials, visit this link.