Phonics Sequence: The Right Order to Teach Reading
A research-based, systematic approach to teaching phonics. Synthesized from UFLI, Jolly Phonics, 100 Easy Lessons, and Capstone Stairway Decodables. Designed for parents teaching children ages 5-7.
Our Approach: Tested and Synthesized
We personally tested all four major phonics curricula—UFLI, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, Jolly Phonics, and Capstone Stairway Decodables—with real children learning to read. Each program has unique strengths, but we found parents often struggle with rigid pacing, overwhelming materials, or unclear sequencing. So we synthesized the best elements from all four into one streamlined, easy-to-follow sequence.
This sequence is built on four research-backed principles that all leading phonics programs share:
- 1.Frequency: Teach the most common sounds first (t, a, s appear more than x, z, qu)
- 2.Simplicity: Start with single sounds before combinations (m before sh, a before ai)
- 3.Utility: Early sounds should combine to make many words (m, a, t → mat, at, am)
- 4.Consistency: Teach reliable patterns before irregular ones
The Synthesized Phonics Sequence
After testing all four curricula with our children, we created this practical phonics progression map that takes the best from each program. This progression takes children from zero phonics knowledge to reading most single-syllable words confidently.
Important: Adjust the pace based on your child's progress—some children will move faster, others need more time at each level. Mastery matters more than speed.
Interactive Phonics Skills Map
Click on any skill cluster below to explore the specific phonics skills. Each skill includes teaching instructions and practice flashcards to use with your child.
How to use: Click the + button to expand each skill cluster. Then click any skill circle to see detailed teaching instructions and practice flashcards. The colors help you quickly see which skills belong to each stage of the phonics sequence.
Detailed Week-by-Week Breakdown
Week 1-2: Single Consonants and Short Vowel A
Start with the most common and consistent consonants: m, s, t, p, n, c. Teach the short sound of "a" (as in "cat"). Practice blending these sounds into simple CVC words: mat, sat, cat, pat, man, can, tan. Focus on 3-4 letters per week maximum. Children need time to master blending before adding more sounds.
Week 3-4: More Consonants and Short Vowel I
Add consonants: b, f, d, r, h, g, l. Introduce short "i" (as in "sit"). Practice words like: bit, sit, pit, fit, bin, fin, pin, did, lid, hid. Review previously learned sounds daily. Use decodable books that contain only the sounds taught so far.
Week 5-6: Remaining Consonants and Short Vowel O
Introduce: j, k, w, v, z, x, y, qu. Teach short "o" (as in "hot"). Practice: hot, pot, not, got, job, box, fox. Most curricula wait to teach "qu" together as one sound. Continue daily review of all previous sounds to build automaticity.
Week 7-8: Short Vowels E and U
Add short "e" (as in "bed") and short "u" (as in "cup"). Practice: bed, red, led, fed, pet, net, set, cup, pup, cut, nut, bus, run. By now, children should be blending CVC words with all five short vowels. This is a major milestone - celebrate it!
Week 9-12: Consonant Digraphs
Teach two letters that make one sound: sh (shop), ch (chip), th (this/thin), wh (when), ck (back), ng (sing). Introduce one digraph at a time with 2-3 days of practice each. Practice words like: shop, chip, thick, when, duck, sing. Explain that these letter pairs work together as a team.
Week 13-16: Consonant Blends
Teach consonant blends where you hear both sounds: bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl (beginning); st, sk, sm, sn, sp, sw (beginning); mp, nd, nk, nt, st (ending). Practice: black, clap, flag, glass, plan, slip, stop, skip, swim, jump, hand, think. Blends are different from digraphs - you hear both letter sounds.
Week 17-20: Long Vowels with Silent E
Introduce the "magic e" or "silent e" pattern: adding "e" to the end makes the vowel say its name. Practice: mat→mate, kit→kite, hop→hope, cub→cube. Use contrasting word pairs to show the pattern clearly. This concept takes time - be patient and review frequently.
Week 21-24: Vowel Teams (Long Vowel Patterns)
Teach common vowel teams: ai/ay (rain, day), ee/ea (feet, seat), oa/ow (boat, low), ue/ew (blue, new). Introduce 1-2 teams per week. Practice: train, play, tree, beach, road, snow, glue, flew. These patterns are common but take significant practice to master.
Week 25-28: R-Controlled Vowels
When "r" follows a vowel, it changes the sound: ar (car), er (her), ir (bird), or (for), ur (fur). Note that er, ir, and ur all make the same sound. Practice: car, star, her, fern, bird, girl, for, born, fur, turn. This is challenging - use lots of examples.
Week 29-32: Other Vowel Patterns
Teach: oi/oy (coin, boy), ou/ow (out, cow), au/aw (haul, paw), oo (book vs. moon). These less common patterns complete the foundational phonics skills. Practice: coin, toy, loud, brown, haul, paw, book, moon, food. Continue reading decodable texts daily.
Get Your Complete Phonics Roadmap
Download our printable phonics sequence chart, sound cards, and week-by-week lesson plans. Join thousands of parents successfully teaching their children to read.
Join FreeEssential Principles for Success
- ✓Teach explicitly: Don't assume children will figure out patterns. Model, demonstrate, and explain clearly.
- ✓Practice daily: Short, consistent practice (15-20 minutes) is far more effective than long, sporadic sessions.
- ✓Review constantly: Spend the first 5 minutes of every session reviewing previously learned sounds.
- ✓Use decodable texts: Children need books that contain only the patterns they've learned. Regular picture books are too hard at this stage.
- ✓Don't rush: Mastery at each level is more important than speed. If your child struggles, spend an extra week practicing.
- ✓Make it multisensory: Use letter tiles, magnetic letters, sand trays, and movements. The more senses engaged, the better.
- ✓Celebrate success: Point out progress frequently. "Last week you didn't know 'sh' and now you can read 'shop'!"
Common Questions About Phonics Sequence
Can I skip steps if my child already knows some sounds?
Yes, but assess carefully. Many children can recite the alphabet but don't know the sounds. Test each sound individually and start at the first level where your child shows uncertainty. Brief review of known sounds is still beneficial.
What if my child is moving slower than the suggested pace?
This is completely normal and expected. The timeline is a guideline, not a rule. Many children need 50-60 weeks instead of 32. What matters is mastery at each level before moving forward. Slow progress with solid mastery beats rushing through with gaps in knowledge.
Should I follow one curriculum exactly or use this synthesized sequence?
Either approach works. If you prefer a structured, scripted program, choose 100 Easy Lessons or a school curriculum like UFLI. If you want flexibility and the "best of all" approach, follow this synthesized sequence. The key is consistency - pick one approach and stick with it.
When should I introduce irregular "sight words"?
Introduce high-frequency irregular words (the, was, said, are) gradually starting around week 5-6. Teach 2-3 per week. However, prioritize decodable words. Most curricula teach about 100 high-frequency words over the course of systematic phonics instruction.
What comes after completing this 32-week sequence?
Next, tackle multisyllabic words (breaking words like "sunset" into "sun-set"), advanced spelling patterns (tion, ough, silent letters), and morphology (prefixes, suffixes, root words). Most children complete advanced phonics by 3rd grade and then focus on fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Appendix: Comparison of Leading Phonics Curricula
For parents who want to understand the individual programs we tested and synthesized, here's a detailed comparison of each curriculum's philosophy and approach.
UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute)
Philosophy: Explicit, systematic phonics based on decades of reading science. Used in schools nationwide as a structured literacy intervention.
Sequence strengths:
- Starts with high-frequency consonants and short vowels
- Introduces blending early with simple CVC words
- Systematic progression from simple to complex patterns
- Heavy emphasis on decodable text practice at each level
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Philosophy: Direct instruction model with scripted lessons. Highly structured, parent-friendly approach requiring 20 minutes daily.
Sequence strengths:
- Very gradual introduction - only 2-3 sounds per lesson
- Extensive review built into every lesson
- Teaches blending from the very first lesson
- Integrates reading comprehension from day one
Jolly Phonics
Philosophy: Multisensory synthetic phonics using actions and songs. British program popular worldwide for making phonics engaging and memorable.
Sequence strengths:
- Unique first group: s, a, t, i, p, n (enables reading words immediately)
- Uses memorable actions and stories for each sound
- Teaches letter formation alongside sound learning
- Introduces tricky words (irregular words) systematically
Capstone Stairway Decodables
Philosophy: Sequenced decodable readers that provide controlled practice. Books carefully match phonics scope and sequence progression.
Sequence strengths:
- Books introduce sounds in a cumulative progression
- Each book contains only patterns already taught
- Gradual increase in text complexity
- Excellent for building reading confidence with success
Ready to Start Teaching Phonics?
Now that you understand the sequence, learn the specific techniques for teaching each sound effectively. Our detailed phonics instruction guide provides activities, games, and troubleshooting tips for every step.