Phonetic Continuum Matrix: A Research-Informed Approach to Selecting Decodable Words for Phonics Instruction

This article presents a sequential system for selecting words for early decoding instruction. We have named our model the Phonetic Continuum Matrix due to its intersection with the developmental continua of phonemic awareness and phonics. Our purpose for creating this model is to offer teachers an efficient and sequential method of selecting words for word making, word breaking, sorting, and other activities and games during phonemic awareness and phonics instruction. We begin this article with a literature review to explain “why” we teach explicit phonemic awareness and phonics skills during early literacy instruction. Following that discussion, we explore the research used to create our sequential system for selecting words. Next, we present the Phonetic Continuum Matrix and share recommendations for using the model when designing early literacy instruction.