Intermediate Phonics Books
These easy (and free) books teach long vowels, consonant blends and digraphs (two letters that make one sound, such as th, sh, ai, ea, oo, etc.).
Age: 6 - 8 years old. Before starting these books, children must know their alphabet and be able to read small, short-vowel words (cat, dog, sun, etc.).
Format: Downloadable e-books to read on-screen or print on your printer.
Activity sheets: Matching handwriting worksheets, word-search puzzles, flash cards and memory games are included for each book. (All for free!)
Book 1
Teaches the "th," "sh" and "ch" sounds. These are common sounds/spellings in the English language, and cannot be understood just by sounding out the individual letters.
Book 2
Teaches the consonant blends that start with an "s": st-, sp-, sl-, sn-, sc-, sk- and sw-, which are contained in words such as stop, skin, spin, swim, etc. Also teaches the tw- blend (twin).
Book 3
Teaches consonant blends that contain an "r": br-, cr-, dr-, gr-, gr-, pr- and tr-, which are used in words like from, drum, trip, crab, etc.
Book 4
Teaches consonant blends that contain an "L" (bl-, cl-, fl-, gl-, pl- and sl-), which are used in words like clap, flat , slam, plus, etc.
Book 5
Teaches the basic concept of long vowels and the simple forms of long vowel "e" (sweet, sleep, be, bee, he, she, etc.).
Book 6
Teaches the long vowel "o" (no, go, etc.) as well as two other sounds that the letter "o" makes (such as in the words boot and book). Also teaches the difference between to and too, plus the word you.
Book 7
Introduces the difference between vowels and consonants, and teaches that the letter "Y" is used sometimes as a vowel (by, my, try, etc.) and sometimes as a consonant (yes, you and yellow, etc.).
Book 8
Teaches end-of-word consonant blends that use the letter "n" (-nd, -ng, -nk and -nt as in hand, song, think and went) as well as the -mp ending (as in jump and lamp).
Book 9
Teaches end-of-word consonant combinations that use the letter "s" (-sh, -st, -sk and -ss as in fish, fast, ask and glass). Also teaches the -zz ending (fuzz), the rule-breaker word, was, and that "th" can go at the beginning or end of words (as in them or path, etc.).
Book 10
Teaches the remaining consonant combinations that go at the end of words (-ck, -ct, -ch, -tch, -nch, -gg, -tt, -ff as in clock, fact, much, catch, lunch, egg, Matt and fluff). Also teaches the difference between of and off.
Book 11
Teaches the end-of-word consonant blends that use the letter "L": -lk, -ld, -lt, -lf, -lp and -ll, as in milk, belt, self, help and well. Note that L-Controlled vowels (all, cold, pull, etc,) are taught in book #15.
Book 12
Teaches the "Silent E" rule for long vowels (hop to hope, Sam to same, etc.).
Book 13
Teaches the vowel digraphs "ai", "ea", "oa", "oe", "ie" and "ue" (as in rain, seat, soap, toe, lie and blue). (A "digraph" is when two written letters make just one sound.)
Book 14
Teaches "R" Controlled vowels (car, for, bird, her, turn, etc.). Note: Long vowel "R" controlled vowels (chair, fire, floor, etc.) are taught in the Advanced Phonics Books.
Book 15
Teaches "L" Controlled vowels (ball, cold, full, child, etc.).