Letters and their sounds
Recognise uppercase and lowercase letters and connect each one with the sound it represents. Practise saying and identifying sounds accurately.
The OART teaching approach
Learn the sounds. Blend the words. Grow a reader.
Linda Thomas shared how she teaches early reading: build strong letter-sound knowledge, practise sound blending, learn common words, and reinforce fluency before moving ahead. She says she uses Hooked on Phonics Levels 1–5 as part of this progression.
Letter soundsPhonics blendingSight wordsRepetition and fluency
Step-by-step and child-paced
A clear progression for beginning readers
The following is a parent-friendly explanation of the sequence Linda described in her own words. Each child is supported at the level where they can make meaningful progress.
Blend sounds together
Join sounds smoothly to make a word, rather than stopping after each sound. One simple example is /c/ + /a/ + /t/ → cat.
Recognise useful sight words
Build familiarity with common words and then read them in short sentences. Linda supplied a starter word list for Level One practice.
Repeat, read and move forward
Revisit the same skills with encouragement, build accuracy and fluency, and advance as foundational skills become more secure. Speed is not the only measure of success.
From Linda's messages
A structured programme, delivered with personal attention
Linda reports using Hooked on Phonics Levels 1–5. That is the programme she named; the steps above explain her teaching approach rather than reproducing a commercial curriculum. Instruction and pace can be adapted as she works with each child.
Hooked on Phonics is a trademark of its respective owner. OART Reading is an independent tutoring service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the programme.
Try a little reading practice
Explore original flash-word practice and simple sentences based on the beginner words Linda shared.
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