Sound/Spelling instruction, also known as phonics, attaches previously learned sounds to specific spelling. Students' reading development relies on the understanding that letters, or combinations of letters form words. Once students understand the Sound/Spelling system they are able to decode and encode words. This mastery will lead to fluency development.

The Sound/Spelling cards in Houghton Mifflin are a tool for both the teacher and the student to use in their teaching and understanding of reading and spelling.

The Sound/Spelling cards should be the only sound cards displayed and should be placed in the front of the classroom. Each student should have an unobstructed view.

Order on the Wall: A-Z including short vowels,

Digraphs (th,ch,wh,sh)
Long vowels
R-controlled vowels (ar, or, ur, ir, er)
Vowel teams (aw,oo,oo)
Diphthongs (oi,ou)

In 1st grade, the Sound/Spelling cards should be displayed with spelling patterns against the wall until the card is introduced in the lesson.

In 2nd grade through 6th, the Sound/Spelling cards should be displayed with the spelling patterns facing students.