Phonics – Phase 2

In Phase 2, children are taught 19 letters grouped into 5 sets. One set will generally be taught in one week.

Set 1	s / a / t / p
Set 2	i / n / m / d
Set 3	g / o / c / k
Set 4	ck / e / u / r
Set 5	h / b / f, ff / l, ll / ss

Children are encouraged to begin ‘blending’ sounds into words straight away. Therefore, having been taught only Set 1, children can make (and read) words like at, sat, pat & tap.

Nonsense words, such as ‘tas’ are also acceptable as they allow children to explore sounds freely. Mis-spelt words (which are phonetically correct) are also allowable e.g. pas. In time, children will be shown the correct spelling. Remember, the initial focus is on reading; blending separate sounds into words.

As children learn all the Sets in Phase 2, they will be able to read an increasing number of words. The ‘Reading Word List’, in the resources section, sets out the range of words which can be read once each additional Set has been taught.

You will notice that ‘double consonants’ (ff / ss / ll) are taught early. This illustrates to children that sometimes more than one letter can represent a single sound. In the case of these letters it is the same sound as the single letter represents. In Phase 3 children are taught that this is not always the case.The grapheme ‘ck’ is taught in Phase 2 as it features in many of the early words that children learn e.g. back, neck and sack.

Within Phase 2 the children are also introduced to ‘tricky’ words which are words that are not fully decodable.

Tricky words taught in Phase 2.

the

to

no

go

I

Phase 2 Resources

The following resources will help you support your child as they progress through Phase 2.

Grapheme Flash Cards An A5 flash card for each ‘grapheme’ taught in Phase 2 Phase 2 grapheme cards

Reading Word Lists Groups of words which can be read once each new Set is taught phase 2 reading word list

Tricky Word Flash Cards A5 flash cards for each tricky word taught in this Phase

More resources will be added soon.