Little-Known Rules for

Teaching Reading &

Spelling:
Resource Guide

Heather Gonzalez- Literacy Coach, CALT

Kari Newton- Dean of Students, Dyslexia
Interventionist
Star City Schools

ADE Science of Reading Conference 2018

 Mouth Position Pairs
mouth position name unvoiced voiced
lip puffer /p/ /b/
tongue tapper /t/ /d/
back kicker /k/ /g/
lip chiller /f/ /v/
tongue chiller /th/ /th/
thin stream /s/ /z/
fat puff /ch/ /j/

Mouth Position Labels for other sounds

fat stream unvoiced /sh/
nasals voiced front nasal voiced mid-nasal voiced back
/m/ /n/ nasal /ng/
air round air - panting air- gliding air-
slightly voiced unvoiced /h/ voiced /y/
/w/
curlers voiced front voiced side
curler /l/ curler /r/
breezy air /h/ /w/ = wh
kicking air /k/ /w/= qu

Smiling Vowels Open Vowels Round Vowels

ē ŏ ō
ĭ ȏ oo as in book
ě oo as in moon
ā ū
ă
ī
ŭ

Bossy R Gliding Vowels

bossy r /er/ oi as in coin
bossy r /ar/ ou as in mouse
bossy r /or/
- Mouth position labels taken from Take flight: A comprehensive intervention for students with dyslexia.
 /ă/

/ ă / as in apple
-closed syllable
-voiced
-smiling vowel
Reading:
The letter a can be in initial or medial position within a closed syllable.
I M
apple cat

Spelling:
The / ă / sound is spelled with the letter a in initial or medial position in a
closed syllable.
I M
apple cat

Irregular Spelling
The / ă / sound can be spelled with digraph au in initial or medial position.

Examples:
aunt laugh
 /ā/

/ ā / as in cake
-vCe, open syllable, vowel team
-voiced
-smiling vowel
Reading:
The letters aCe can be in initial or medial position as in cake.
I M
ate cake

The letter a can be in initial or medial position in an open, accented syllable,

as in bacon. (usually in a word with two or more syllables)
I M
apron bacon

The letters ai can be in initial or medial position in a vowel team syllable.

I M
aim sail

The letters ay can be in medial (usually in a word with two or more syllables)
or final position in a vowel team syllable.
M F
crayon play

The letters ei can be in initial or medial position.

I M
eikon veil

The letters ey can be in final position.

F
they

The letters eigh can be in initial, medial or final position.

I M
eight freight weigh
Spelling:
The / ā / sound is spelled with the letters aCe in initial or medial position.
I M
ate cake

The / ā / sound is spelled with the letter a in initial or medial position in an

open, accented syllable. (usually in a word with two or more syllables)
I M
apron bacon

The / ā / sound is spelled with the letters ay in final position.

M F
crayon play

Irregular Spelling
The / ā / sound can be spelled with the letters ai in initial or medial position in a vowel team syllable.
I M
aim sail

The / ā / sound is spelled with the letters ea in only a few words.

Yea! Steak is great, but it will break your budget.

The / ā / sound can be spelled with the letters ei in initial or medial position in a vowel team syllable.
I M
eikon* veil

The / ā / sound can be spelled with the letters eigh in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
eight freight weigh

The / ā / sound can be spelled with the letters ey in final position.

F
they
 /ar/

/ar/ as in star
-vowel-r syllable
-voiced
-bossy r /ar/
Reading:
The letters ar can be in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
art part star

Spelling:
The /ar/ sound is spelled with the letters ar in initial, medial or final position.
I M F
art part star
 /b/

/b/ as in bat
-voiced
- lip puffer
Reading:
The letter b can be in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
bat cubby bib

Spelling:
The /b/ sound is spelled with the letter b in initial, medial, and final positions.
I M F
bat cubby bib
 /ch/

/ch/ as in chair, match

-unvoiced
- fat puff
Reading:
The letter ch can be in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
chair nachos lunch

The letters tch can be in final position.

F
match

Spelling:
The /ch/ sound is spelled with the letters ch in initial or medial position.
I M
chair nachos

The /ch/ sound is spelled with the letters tch in final position when it follows a
short vowel sound in a one-syllable word.
F
match

The /ch/ sound is spelled with the letters ch in final position when it follows a
sound made by a vowel team or a consonant sound.
F
pooch
lunch

Irregular Spelling
The /ch/ sound can be spelled with the letters ch in final position when it follows a short vowel sound in
a one-syllable word.
F
much

The /ch/ /er/ sounds can be spelled with the final stable syllable -ture in medial position.
M
nature
 /d/

/d/ as in dog
-voiced
- tongue tapper
Reading:
The letter d can be in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
dog pardon land

Suffix –ed can be read as /d/ if the final sound in the base word is voiced.
sailed climbed caged

Spelling:
The /d/ sound is spelled with the letter d in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
dog pardon land

If you hear the /d/ sound added to the end of a base word, it can be spelled
with suffix –ed.
sailed climbed caged
 /ĕ/

/ĕ/ as in elephant
-closed syllable
-voiced
-smiling vowel
Reading:
The letter e can be in initial or medial position within a closed syllable.
I M
elephant pet

The letters ea can be in medial position within a vowel team.

M
bread

Spelling:
The /ĕ / sound is spelled with the letter e in initial or medial position in a
closed syllable.
I M
elephant pet

Irregular Spelling
The /ĕ/ sound can be spelled with digraph ai in medial position.
Examples:
said

The /ĕ/ sound can be spelled with digraph ea in medial position.

Examples:
bread
 /ē/

/ē/ as in feet
-vCe, open syllable, vowel team
-voiced
-smiling vowel
Reading:
The letters ee can be in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
eel feet three

The letters eCe can be in initial or medial position. (usually in a word with
two or more syllables)
I M
eve athlete

The letter e can be in initial, medial, or final position in an open syllable.

I M F
even meter he

The letters ea can be in initial, medial, or final position in a vowel team

syllable.
I M F
easel deal sea

The letters ei can be in initial or medial position in a vowel team syllable.

I M
either ceiling

The letters ey can be in final position in a vowel team syllable.

F
key

The letter y can be in final position in an open, unaccented syllable (in a two
or more syllable base word).
F
candy
Spelling:
The /ē/ sound is spelled with the letters ee in initial or medial position in a
one-syllable base word.
I M F
eel feet three

The /ē/ sound is spelled with the letters eCe in medial position in a two or
more syllable base word.
M
athlete

The /ē/ sound is spelled with the letter e in initial or medial position in an
open, accented syllable. (usually in a word with two or more syllables)
I M
even meter

The /ē/ sound is spelled with the letter y in final position in a two or more
syllable base word.
F
candy

Irregular Spelling
The /ē/ sound can be spelled with the letters ea in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
easel peach sea

The /ē/ sound can be spelled with the letters ei in initial or medial position.
I M
either ceiling

The /ē/ sound can be spelled with the letters ie in medial position.
M
thief

The /ē/ sound can be spelled with the letters ey in final position.
F
monkey

The /ē/ sound can be spelled with the letter e in final position.
F
he
The /ē/ sound can be spelled with the letters iCe in medial position in a two or more syllable base word.
M
magazine
police
 /er/

/er/ as in fern
-vowel-r syllable
-voiced
-bossy r /er/
Reading:
The letters er can be in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
ergonomic fern her

The letters ir can be in initial, medial, or final position.

I M F
irksome bird fir

The letters ur can be in initial, medial, or final position.

I M F
urgent turtle fur

The letters or say /er/ after the letter w.

M
worm

The letters ar can be in medial or final position in an unaccented syllable.

M F
mustard dollar

The letters or can be in final position in an unaccented syllable.

F
doctor
Spelling:
The /er/ sound is spelled with the letters er in initial, medial or final position.
I M F
ergonomic fern her

The /er/ sound is spelled with the letters or after the /w/ sound in medial
position.
M
worm

Irregular for Spelling:

The /er/ sound can be spelled with the letters ir in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
irksome bird fir

The /er/ sound can be spelled with the letters ur in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
urgent turtle fur

The /er/ sound can be spelled with the letters ar in final position in an unaccented syllable.
F
dollar

The /er/ sound can be spelled with the letters or in final position in an unaccented syllable.
F
doctor
 /f/

/f/ as in fish
-unvoiced
- lip chiller
Reading:
The letter f can be in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
fish lift calf

Spelling:
The /f/ sound is spelled with the letter f in initial, medial, and final positions.
I M F
fish lift calf

The /f/ sound is spelled with the letters ff in final position when preceded by a
short vowel sound in a one-syllable baseword. (floss rule)
F
sniff

Irregular Spelling:
The /f/ sound is spelled with the letters ph in initial, medial, and final positions.
I M F
phone grapheme graph

The /f/ sound is spelled with the letters gh in medial and final positions.
M F
laughter cough
 /g/

/g/ as in gate
-voiced
- back kicker
Reading:
The letter g can be in initial or medial position when followed by the letters a,
o, u, or a consonant.
I M
gate angry

The letter g can be in final position

F
rig

Spelling:
The /g/ sound is spelled with the letter g in initial, medial, and final positions.
I M F
gate angry rig

Irregular Spelling:
The /g/ sound is spelled with the letters gh in initial position.
I
ghost

The /g/ sound is spelled with the letters gu in initial position.

I
guest

The /g/ sound is spelled with the letters gue in final position.
F
plague

The /g/ sound is spelled with the letters gg in final position.

F
egg
 /h/

/h/ as in hat
-unvoiced
- panting air
Reading:
The letter h can be in initial or medial position.
I M
hat behavior

Spelling:
The /h/ sound is spelled with the letter h in initial or medial position.
I M
hat behavior

Irregular Spelling:
The /h/ sound is spelled with the letters wh in initial position.
I
who
 /(h)(w)/ = wh

/(h)(w)/ as in whistle
-unvoiced
- breezy air
Reading:
The letters wh can be in initial or medial position.
I M
whistle narwhal

Irregular for Reading:

who, whom, whoa

Spelling:
The /(h)(w)/ sounds are spelled with the letters wh in initial or medial position.
I M
whistle narwhal
 /ĭ/

/ ĭ / as in igloo
-closed syllable
-voiced
-smiling vowel
Reading:
The letter i can be in initial or medial position within a closed syllable.
I M
igloo kit

The letter i can be in initial or medial position in an open, unaccented syllable.

I M
initiate divide

The letter y can be in medial position in a closed syllable.

M
myth

Irregular for Reading

The letter i can be in medial position before final stable syllable ‘[tion & ‘[sion or any final stable
syllable beginning with ti- or ci-.
Examples
addition television initial delicious

Spelling:
The /ĭ/ sound is spelled with the letter i in initial or medial position in a closed
syllable.
I M
igloo kit
The /ĭ/ sound is spelled with the letter i in initial or medial position in an open,
unaccented syllable.
I M
initiate divide

Irregular Spelling
The /ĭ/ sound can be spelled with the letter y in medial position in a closed syllable.
M
myth

The /ĭ/ sound can be spelled iCe in a two or more syllable base word in medial position in an unaccented
syllable.
M
service
engine
fragile
 /ī/

/ ī / as in five
-vCe, open syllable, vowel team
-voiced
-smiling vowel
Reading:
The letters iCe can be in initial or medial position as in five.
I M
ice five

The letter i can be in initial, medial, or final position in an open, accented

syllable, as in spider. (usually in a word with two or more syllables)
I M F
I spider hi

The letters ie can be in final position in a vowel team syllable.

F
pie

The letters igh can be in medial or final position in a vowel team syllable.
M F
light sigh

The letter y can be in medial or final position in an open, accented syllable.

M F
hydrant fly

Irregular for Reading

The letter i can be in medial position before two consonants.
Examples
wild find

Spelling:
The /ī/ sound is spelled with the letters iCe in initial or medial position.
I M
ice five
The /ī/ sound is spelled with the letter i in initial or medial position in an open,
accented syllable. (usually in a word with two or more syllables)
I M
isosceles spider

The /ī/ sound is spelled with the letter y in final position.

F
fly

Irregular Spelling
The /ī/ sound can be spelled with the letter i in final position.
F
hi

The /ī/ sound can be spelled with the letter i in a one-syllable base word when followed by two
consonant sounds.
M
wild

The /ī/ sound can be spelled with the letters igh in medial or final position.
M F
light sigh

The /ī/ sound can be spelled with the letters ei in medial position.
M
stein

The /ī/ sound can be spelled with the letters ie in final position.
F
pie

The /ī/ sound can be spelled with the letter y in medial position in an open, unaccented syllable.
M
tycoon

The /ī/ sound can be spelled with the letters y-e in medial position.
M
type

The /ī/ sound can be spelled with the letters ye in final position.
F
bye
 /j/

/j/ as in jar
-voiced
- fat puff
Reading:
The letter j can be in initial or medial position.
I M
jar pajamas

The letter g can be read as /j/ in initial or medial position when followed by
the letters e, i, or y.
I M
gem engine

The letters dge can be in final position after a short vowel.

F
badge

Spelling:
The /j/ sound is spelled with the letter j in initial or medial position.
I M
jar pajamas

The /j/ sound is spelled with the letter g in initial or medial position when
followed by the letters e, i, or y.
I M
gem engine

The /j/ sound is spelled with the letters dge in final position after a short vowel
sound in a one-syllable word.
F
badge
The /j/ sound can be spelled with the letters ge in final position after a
consonant sound, a sound made by a vowel team, or a long vowel sound.
F
hinge
scrooge
page

Irregular Spelling
The /j/ /ě/ /k/ /t/ sounds can be spelled with the letters ject in medial position.
M
eject
 /k/

/k/ as in kite
-unvoiced
- back-kicker
Reading:
The letter k can be in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
kite napkin wink

The letter c says /k/ when followed by a, o, u, or a consonant letter in initial or

medial position.
I M
cup circus

The letter c can be in final position. (usually in a two or more syllable word)
F
picnic

The letters ck can be in medial or final position.

M F
necktie truck

Spelling:
The /k/ sound is spelled with the letter k in initial and medial position when
followed by the letters e, i, or y.
I M
kite napkin
If you hear the /k/ sound followed by the sounds of /a/, /o/, /u/, or a consonant
sound, it can be spelled with the letter c in initial or medial position.
I M
cup picnic

The /k/ sound is spelled with the letters ck in medial position when it follows a
short vowel sound and precedes a vowel sound
M
chicken

The /k/ sound is spelled with the letters ck in medial position when it follows a
short vowel sound and precedes the /l/ sound
M
pickle

The /k/ sound is spelled with the letters ck in final position when it follows a
short vowel sound in a one-syllable word.
F
truck

The /k/ sound is spelled with the letter k in final position when it follows a
consonant sound or a sound made by a vowel team.
F
wink
book

The /k/ sound is spelled with the letters ke in final position when it follows a
long vowel sound.
F
cake
The /k/ sound is spelled with the letter c in final position when it follows a
short vowel sound in a two or more syllable word.
F
rustic
 /(k)(s)/ = x

/(k)(s)/ as in box
-unvoiced
Reading:
The letter x can be in medial or final position.
M F
axle box

Exceptions:
The letter x can be in medial position before a vowel sound & be pronounced as /ěgz/.
M
exit

The letter x can be in initial position & be pronounced as /z/.

I
xylophone

Spelling:
The /(k)(s)/ sounds are spelled with the letter x in medial or final position.
M F
axle box
 /(k)(w)/

/(k)(w)/ as in queen
-voiced
- kicking air
Reading:
The letters qu can be in initial or medial position.
I M
queen equal

Irregular for Reading

The letters qu can be in initial or medial position & be pronounced as /k/.
I M
quiche mosquito

Spelling:
The /(k)(w)/ sounds are spelled with the letters qu in initial or medial position.
I M
queen equal
 /l/

/l/ as in leaf
-voiced
- front curler
Reading:
The letter l can be in initial, medial or final position.
I M F
leaf roller pull

Spelling:
The /l/ sound is spelled with the letter l in initial, medial or final position.
I M F
leaf roller pull

The /l/ sound is spelled with the letters ll in final position when preceded by a
short vowel in a one-syllable base word. (floss rule)
F
spill

The /l/ sound is spelled with the letters le in final position when preceded by a
consonant sound in a two-or-more-syllable base word.
F
rumble
fable
bubble

Irregular Spelling:
llama
 /m/

/m/ as in mop
-voiced
- front nasal
Reading:
The letter m can be in initial, medial or final position.
I M F
mop summer gram

Spelling:
The /m/ sound is spelled with the letter m in initial, medial or final position.
I M F
mop summer gram

Irregular Spelling:
The /m/ sound can be spelled with the letters mb in final position.
F
climb

The /m/ sound can be spelled with the letters mn in final position.
F
hymn

The /m/ sound can be spelled with the letters gm in final position.
F
diaphragm
 /n/

/n/ as in nest
-voiced
- mid nasal
Reading:
The letter n can be in initial, medial or final position.
I M F
nest pencil bin

Spelling:
The /n/ sound is spelled with the letter n in initial, medial or final position.
I M F
nest pencil bin

Irregular Spelling:
The /n/ sound can be spelled with the letters kn in initial position.
I
knight

The /n/ sound can be spelled with the letters gn in initial position.
I
gnome

The /n/ sound can be spelled with the letters pn in initial position.
I
pneumonia

The /n/ sound can be spelled with the letters mn in initial position.
I
mnemonic
 /ng/

/ng/ as in king
-voiced
- back nasal
Reading:
The letters ng can be in final position.
F
king

The letter n can be in medial position when followed by the /k/ sound.
M
sink

The letter n can be in medial position when followed by the /g/ sound in a two
or more syllable baseword.
M
single
finger

Spelling:
The /ng/ sound is spelled with the letters ng in final position.
F
king

The /ng/ sound is spelled with the letter n in medial position when followed by
the /k/ sound.
M
sink

The /ng/ sound is spelled with the letter n in medial position when followed by
the /g/ sound.
M
single
finger

Irregular Spelling:
The /ng/ sound can be spelled with the letters ngue in final position.
F
tongue
 /ŏ/

/ ŏ / as in octopus
-closed syllable
-voiced
-open vowel
Reading:
The letter o can be in initial or medial position within a closed syllable.
I M
octopus hot

The letter a can be in medial position after the letter w.

M
watch

The letter a can be in medial position after the letters qu.

M
squash

Spelling:
The /ŏ/ sound is spelled with the letter o in initial or medial position in a
closed syllable.
I M
octopus hot

The /ŏ/ sound is spelled with the letter a in medial or final position after the
letter w.
M F
watch schwa

The /ŏ/ sound is spelled with the letter a in medial position after the letters qu.
M
squash
 /ō/

/ō/ as in rope
-vCe, open syllable, vowel team
-voiced
-round vowel
Reading:
The letters oCe can be in initial or medial position as in rope.
I M
ode rope

The letter o can be in initial, medial, or final position in an open, accented

syllable, as in robot. (usually in a word with two or more syllables)
I M F
oboe robot no

The letter o can be in initial or medial position in an open, unaccented

syllable. (usually in a word with two or more syllables)
I M
omit hotel

The letters ow can be in initial, medial, or final position.

I M F
own bowl snow

The letters oa can be in initial, medial, or final position.

I M F
oath boat whoa

The letters oe can be in final position.

F
toe

Irregular for Reading

The letter o can be in initial or medial position before two consonants.
Examples
old colt
Spelling:
The /ō/ sound is spelled with the letters oCe in initial or medial position.
I M
ode rope

The /ō/ sound is spelled with the letter o in initial or medial position in an
open, accented syllable. (usually in a word with two or more syllables)
I M
oboe robot

The /ō/ sound is spelled with the letter o in initial or medial position in an
open, unaccented syllable. (usually in a word with two or more syllables)
I M
omit hotel

The /ō/ sound is spelled with the letters ow in final position.

F
snow

Irregular Spelling
The /ō/ sound can be spelled with the letter o in final position in an open, accented syllable.
F
no

The /ō/ sound can be spelled with the letter o in initial or medial position when followed by two
consonants.
I M
old colt

The /ō/ sound can be spelled with the letters ow in medial position.
M
bowl

The /ō/ sound can be spelled with the letters oa in medial position.
M
boat

The /ō/ sound can be spelled with the letters oe in final position.
F
toe

The /ō/ sound can be spelled with the letters ough in medial or final position.
M F
brougham dough
 /ȏ/ or /au/

/ȏ/ as in saucer
-vowel team syllable
-voiced
-open vowel
Reading:
The letters au can be in initial or medial position.
I M
August saucer

The letter a says /ȏ/ when it comes before an l in initial or medial position.
I M
always ball

The letters aw can be in initial, medial, or final position.

I M F
awful crawl saw

Spelling:
The /ȏ/ sound is spelled with the letters au in initial or medial position.
I M
August saucer

The /ȏ/ sound is spelled with the letter a when we hear the /ȏ/ sound before /l/.
I M
always ball

The /ȏ/ sound is spelled with the letters aw in final position.

F
saw
 /oi/

/oi/ as in coin or boy

-diphthong
-voiced
-gliding vowel /oi/
Reading:
The letters oi can be in initial or medial position.
I M
oink coin

The letters oy can be in initial, medial, or final position.

I M F
oyster royal boy

Spelling:
The /oi/ sound is spelled with the letters oi in initial or medial position.
I M
oink coin

The /oi/ sound is spelled with the letters oy in final position.

F
boy

Irregular for Spelling:

The /oi/ sound can be spelled with the letters oy in initial or medial position.
I M
oyster royal
 /oo/

/oo/ as in book
-voiced
-round vowel
Reading:
The letters oo can be in medial position.
M
book

Spelling:
The /oo/ sound is spelled with the letters oo in medial position.
M
book

Irregular for Spelling:

The /oo/ sound can be spelled with the letter u in medial position.
M
push
careful

The /oo/ sound can be spelled with the letters ou in medial position.
M
could

The /oo/ sound can be spelled with the letter o in medial position.
M
wolf
 /oo/

/oo/ as in moon
-voiced
-round vowel
Reading:
The letters oo can be in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
ooze moon zoo

Spelling:
The /oo/ sound is spelled with the letters oo in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
ooze moon zoo

Irregular for Spelling:

The /oo/ sound can be spelled with the letters ou in medial position.
M
soup

The /oo/ sound can be spelled with the letters o-e in medial position.
M
move

The /oo/ sound can be spelled with the letters ew when preceded by an l or an r in final position.
F
blew

The /oo/ sound can be spelled with the letters ough in final position.
F
through

The /oo/ sound can be spelled with the letters u-e when preceded by an l or an r in medial position.
M
rule

The /oo/ sound can be spelled with the letter u in final position.
F
flu
The /oo/ sound can be spelled with the letters oe in final position.
F
shoe
The /oo/ sound can be spelled with the letters ue when preceded by an l or an r in final position.
F
true
 /or/

/or/ as in fork
-vowel-r syllable
-voiced
-bossy r /or/
Reading:
The letters or can be in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
or fork mentor

Spelling:
The /or/ sound is spelled with the letters or in initial, medial or final position.
I M F
or fork mentor

Irregular for Spelling:

The /or/ sound can be spelled with the letters ar after the /w/ sound in medial or final position.
M F
quart war
 /ou/

/ou/ as in mouse or cow

-diphthong
-voiced
-gliding vowel /ou/
Reading:
The letters ou can be in initial or medial position.
I M
ouch mouse
Irregular for Reading:
you, couple, could, four, bought, dough

The letters ow can be in initial, medial, or final position.

I M F
owl brown cow

Spelling:
The /ou/ sound is spelled with the letters ou in initial or medial position.
I M
ouch mouse

The /ou/ sound is spelled with the letters ow in final position.

F
cow

Irregular for Spelling:

The /ou/ sound can be spelled with the letters ow in initial or medial position.
I M
owl brown
 /p/

/p/ as in pig
-unvoiced
- lip puffer
Reading:
The letter p can be in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
pig paper dip

Spelling:
The /p/ sound is spelled with the letter p in initial, medial, and final positions.
I M F
pig paper dip
 /r/

/r/ as in rabbit
-voiced
- side curler
Reading:
The letter r can be in initial, medial or final position.
I M F
rabbit carry tar

Spelling:
The /r/ sound is spelled with the letter r in initial, medial or final position.
I M F
rabbit carry tar

Irregular Spelling:
The /r/ sound can be spelled with the letters wr in initial position. (meaning usually has to do with
twisting)
I
wring

The /r/ sound can be spelled with the letters rh in initial position.
I
rhyme
 /s/

/s/ as in sock
-unvoiced
- thin stream
Reading:
The letter s can be in initial position.
I
sock

The letter c can be in initial or medial position when followed by the letters e,
i, or, y.
I M
city pencil

The letters se can be in final position after a vowel team or a consonant sound.
F
mouse
sense

The letter s can be in final position after a short vowel in a two or more
syllable word.
F
bogus

Suffix -s can be in final position after a base word with a final unvoiced
sound.
F
tips
Irregular: bus, gas, yes

Spelling:
The /s/ sound is spelled with the letter s in initial position.
I
sock
The /s/ sound is spelled with the letter c in medial position when preceded by
a long vowel and followed by the letters e, i, or y.
M
bicep

The /s/ sound is spelled with the letter c in medial position when preceded by
a consonant and followed by the letters e, i, or y.
M
pencil

The /s/ sound is spelled with the letters ss in final position after a short vowel
sound in an accented syllable.
F
floss

The /s/ sound is spelled with the letter s in final position after a short vowel
sound in an unaccented syllable.
F
bogus

The /s/ sound is spelled with the letters ce in final position after a long vowel
sound.
F
mice

The /s/ sound is spelled with the letters se in final position after a sound made
by a vowel team or a consonant.
F
moose
horse

The /s/ sound is spelled with suffix –s in final position after a base word.
F
tips
 /sh/

/sh/ as in shell
-unvoiced
- fat stream
Reading:
The letters sh can be in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
shell pushy fish

Spelling:
The /sh/ sound is spelled with the letters sh in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
shell pushy fish

Irregular Spelling:
The /sh/ sound can be spelled with the letters ti in medial position when preceded by a long vowel or
consonant sound in a two-or-more-syllable baseword.
M
station

The /sh/ sound can be spelled with the letters ti in medial position when followed by a vowel or a
consonant sound in an unaccented syllable.
M
patient
martian
cautious
partial

The /sh/ sound can be spelled with the letters si in medial position.
M
mansion

The /sh/ sound can be spelled with the letters ci in medial position when followed by a vowel or a
consonant sound.
M
facial
efficient
mortician
delicious

The /sh/ sound can be spelled with the letters ch in initial or medial position.
I M
chef machine
 /t/

/t/ as in table
-unvoiced
- tongue tapper
Reading:
The letter t can be in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
table baton cat

Suffix –ed can be read as /t/ if the final sound in the base word is unvoiced.
jumped danced walked

Spelling:
The /t/ sound is spelled with the letter t in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
table baton cat

If you hear the /t/ sound added to the end of a base word, it can be spelled
with suffix –ed.
jumped danced walked
 /th/

/th/ as in thumb
-unvoiced
- tongue chiller
Reading:
The letters th can be in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
thumb cathedral bath

Irregular for Reading:

thyme, Thomas

Spelling:
The /th/ sound is spelled with the letters th in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
thumb cathedral bath
 /th/

/th/ as in mother
-voiced
- tongue chiller
Reading:
The letters th can be in initial or medial position.
I M
that mother

Irregular for Reading:

thyme, Thomas

Spelling:
The /th/ sound is spelled with the letters th in initial or medial position.
I M
that mother

The /th/ sound is spelled with the letters the in final position.
F
bathe

Irregular Spelling:
The /th/ sound is spelled with the letters th in final position.
F
smooth
mouth (verb)
 /ŭ/

/ ŭ / as in umbrella
-closed syllable
-voiced
-smiling vowel
Reading:
The letter u can be in initial or medial position within a closed syllable.
I M
umbrella nut

The letter a can be in initial, medial, or final position within an open,

unaccented syllable.
I M F
a tip banana banana

Spelling:
The /ŭ/ sound is spelled with the letter u in initial or medial position in a
closed syllable.
I M
umbrella nut

The /ŭ/ sound is spelled with the letter a in initial, medial, or final position
within an open, unaccented syllable.
I M F
a tip banana banana

Irregular Spelling
The /ŭ/ /b/ /l/ sounds can be spelled with the suffix –able.
Example:
readable
 The /ŭ/ sound can be spelled with the letter o in initial or medial
position after the letters m, n, or v.
I M
onion mother

The /ŭ/ /s/ sounds can be spelled with the suffix –ous.
Example:
famous

The /ŭ/ sound can be spelled with the letters ou in medial position.
M
cousin
 /ū/

/ ū/ as in mule
-vCe, open syllable, vowel team
-voiced
-round vowel
Reading:
The letters uCe can be in initial or medial position as in mule.
I M
use mule

The letter u can be in initial, medial, or final position in an open, accented

syllable, as in music. (usually in a word with two or more syllables)
I M F
utensil music gnu

The letter u can be in initial or medial position in an open, unaccented

syllable. (usually in a word with two or more syllables)
I M
unite calculator

The letters ue can be in medial or final position.

M F
fuel statue

Spelling:
The /ū/ sound is spelled with the letters uCe in initial or medial position.
I M
use mule

The /ū/ sound is spelled with the letter u in initial or medial position in an
open, accented syllable. (usually in a word with two or more syllables)
I M
utensil music
The /ū/ sound is spelled with the letter u in initial or medial position in an
open, unaccented syllable. (usually in a word with two or more syllables)
I M
unite calculator

The /ū/ sound is spelled with the letters ue in final position.

F
statue

Irregular Spelling
The /ū/ sound can be spelled with the letters ue in medial position
M
Tuesday

The /ū/ sound can be spelled with the letters eu in initial or medial position.
I M
Europe feud

The /ū/ sound can be spelled with the letters ew in medial or final position.
M F
pewter pew
 /v/

/v/ as in violin
-voiced
- lip chiller
Reading:
The letter v can be in initial or medial position.
I M
violin movies

Spelling:
The /v/ sound is spelled with the letter v in initial or medial position.
I M
violin movies

The /v/ sound is spelled with the letters ve in final position. (No English words
end with the letter v).
F
solve

Irregular Spelling:
The /v/ sound is spelled with the letter f in final position.
F
of
 /w/

/w/ as in wagon
-voiced
- round air
Reading:
The letter w can be in initial or medial position.
I M
wagon lower

Spelling:
The /w/ sound is spelled with the letter w in initial or medial position.
I M
wagon lower

Irregular Spelling:
language
 /y/

/y/ as in yarn
-voiced
- gliding air
Reading:
The letter y can be in initial position.
I
yarn

Spelling:
The /y/ sound is spelled with the letter y in initial or medial position.
I M
yarn lawyer

Irregular Spelling:
The /y/ sound can be spelled with the letter i in medial position when preceded by /m/, /l/, or /v/.
M
million
civilian
 /z/

/z/ as in zipper
-voiced
- thin stream
Reading:
The letter z can be in initial, medial, or final position.
I M F
zipper puzzle buzz

The letter s can be in medial position when preceded and followed by vowels
(VsV).
M
nasal

The letters se can be in final position when preceded by a vowel (Vse).

F
nose

The letter s can be in final position when preceded by a vowel in an accented

syllable.
F
his

Suffix -s can be in final position when added to a baseword with a voiced

ending sound.
F
pins

Spelling:
The /z/ sound is spelled with the letter z in initial position.
I
zipper
The /z/ sound is spelled with the letter s in medial position when preceded and
followed by vowel sounds.
M
nasal

The /z/ sound is spelled with the letter s in medial position when preceded by
a consonant sound and followed by a vowel sound.
M
pansy

The final /z//l/ sounds are spelled with the pattern zzle in medial position when
preceded by a short vowel sound in an accented syllable.
M
puzzle

The /z/ sound is spelled with the letter s in final position when preceded by a
short vowel sound in an accented syllable.
F
his

The /z/ sound is spelled with the letters se in final position when preceded by
a long vowel sound or a vowel team sound.
F
nose
blouse

The /z/ sound is spelled with the letter s in final position when added to a
baseword.
F
pins

The /ě//z/ sounds are spelled with the letters es in final position when added to
a baseword.
F
brushes

Irregular Spelling:
The /z/ sound is spelled with the letters zz in final position when preceded by a short vowel sound.
F
buzz
 Resources

Avrit, K., Allen, C., Carlsen, K., Gross, M., Pierce, D., & Rumsey, M.
(2015). Take flight: A comprehensive intervention for students
with dyslexia. Dallas: ViaTech Publishing.

Coffman, Nancy. Language notebook: Rules for reading and

spelling. The Shelton Way.