#59: When to Move to the Next Phonics Skill
That One Time I Moved On Too Soon…
I still remember the day I proudly wrapped up our unit on digraphs. My small group was full of bright, enthusiastic first graders. I gave myself a pat on the back for keeping on pace with the curriculum. But two days later, I overheard one of my strongest readers stumble over the word them during independent reading—and it hit me like a ton of bricks: I had moved on too soon.
If you’ve ever second-guessed yourself about whether to keep going or stay put, you’re not alone. Knowing when to move to the next phonics skill can feel like trying to hit a moving target. But there’s actually a science-backed way to know with confidence.
The Three A’s: What True Mastery Really Means
We don’t want kids memorizing phonics skills for one day—we want mastery that sticks. That means they can:
- Read the skill accurately (Accuracy)
- Recall it without effort (Automaticity)
- Apply it in various contexts (Application)
Let’s break that down with an analogy: imagine learning to play guitar. First, you learn the chords (accuracy). Then, you play them without pausing to think (automaticity). Finally, you can perform them in a band, on stage, or while improvising (application). The same applies to phonics instruction!
3 Clear Signs Students Are Ready to Move On
Instead of guessing, use these signs to decide if students are ready for the next step:
1. They Can Read the Skill Fluently
Give students a decodable word list targeting the phonics skill (like TH words). Can they read 90% or more accurately and smoothly? Look for confident blending and natural expression—not hesitation.
2. They Can Spell the Words Correctly
Reading is one side of the coin—spelling is the other. Ask students to write dictated words like this or them on whiteboards. If they consistently spell the focus sound correctly, it shows strong encoding.
3. They Apply It Throughout the Day
Are students recognizing and using the skill in books, centers, and writing? Try giving them a dictated sentence with multiple examples of the target skill. If they apply the skill correctly in different settings, that’s a green light!
Pro Tip: Not all students will be ready at the same time. That’s okay! Give extra support to those who need more exposure, especially ELLs and students with dyslexia.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
- Why moving on too soon can sabotage long-term reading success.
- What the “Three A’s” of mastery really look like in action.
- Three no-fail ways to check if your students are ready for the next phonics skill.
- How to adjust instruction without falling behind.
- Tools to make all of this faster and easier.
Bringing It All Together
Knowing when to move to the next phonics skill isn’t about guesswork—it’s about watching for mastery. When students show accuracy, automaticity, and application, you can move forward with confidence. And if they’re not there yet? Slow down. That extra time now saves re-teaching later.
Want More Support? Join The Science of Reading Formula
Inside The Science of Reading Formula, you’ll get instant access to decodable word lists, dictation sentences, phonics games, and so much more—ready to print and use. Say goodbye to second-guessing and hello to clear, confident teaching. Join right here!
LINKS
Sight Word Lists Sorted by Phonics Skill
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