If you’ve ever wondered how to help all your students become strong, confident readers and spellers, you’re not alone. With so many methods and materials out there, it can be hard to know what actually works. That’s why more and more teachers are turning to research-backed approaches—like structured literacy and explicit phonics instruction—to guide their teaching.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the best practice in literacy instruction, how it connects to the Science of Reading, and the phonics instruction strategies that really make a difference. Plus, I’ll show you how these ideas come to life in the classroom with engaging, no-prep resources that support systematic phonics instruction.
What Is Best Practice in Literacy Instruction?
At its core, best practice in literacy instruction means using methods that are proven to work. According to the Science of Reading, effective instruction includes:
- Explicit teaching of phonics skills
- Systematic instruction that follows a logical sequence
- Frequent opportunities to practice
- Regular review and reinforcement
Rather than relying on guesswork or memorization, students learn how to decode words by understanding how letters and sounds work together.
This is where structured literacy comes in—a comprehensive approach that integrates phonology, sound-symbol correspondence, syllable instruction, morphology, syntax, and semantics. It’s especially powerful for struggling readers, but it benefits every student in your classroom.
Not convinced? Check out this defining guide on the Science of Reading by The Reading League that includes references!
Why Explicit Phonics Instruction Matters
Too often, phonics is taught incidentally or inconsistently. But research shows that explicit phonics instruction—where skills are taught directly and clearly—is far more effective. Instead of “discovering” spelling patterns on their own, students are told exactly what the pattern is, how it works, and when to use it.
If you’re wondering how to teach phonics in a way that sticks, start with short, targeted lessons followed by immediate practice. That’s where no-prep tools like word sorts, phonics board games, and literacy centers come in handy. They give students a chance to apply what they’ve learned in fun, low-pressure ways.
Need an example? In this blog post about phonics board games, I explain how systematic, game-based practice helps students internalize sound patterns while staying engaged.
What Systematic Phonics Instruction Looks Like
Systematic phonics instruction means following a clear sequence of skills—from simple to complex. This might begin with CVC words and short vowels, then move on to blends, digraphs, long vowels, and more advanced patterns like Magic E and vowel teams.
I’ve designed all my literacy resources (from word sorts to board games) to perfectly align with this type of instruction. They allow for consistent review while gradually increasing the challenge—making them ideal for structured literacy classrooms.
If you’re not sure where to start, check out my post on why word sorts belong in every elementary literacy center. It breaks down how sorting words by pattern helps students internalize the structure of English spelling.
Phonics Instruction Strategies That Work
When it comes to phonics instruction strategies, simplicity is key. Here are a few tried-and-true strategies that align with best practices:
- Introduce one concept at a time: Avoid overwhelming students with multiple rules at once.
- Use decodable words: Practice should match what you’ve just taught.
- Provide frequent review: Revisit old skills to build automaticity.
- Incorporate movement and games: Learning doesn’t have to be boring!
In my classroom, I love using activities like Word Bump and Roll and Cover to give students hands-on ways to practice phonics patterns independently or with a partner.
These activities are especially helpful for differentiation—students can work at their own level while you support small groups.
Make It Easy on Yourself: Use Ready-to-Go Resources
Implementing best practices doesn’t mean you have to start from scratch. My no-prep phonics activities, choice boards, and phonics games are designed to align with the Science of Reading while giving you back your planning time.
Looking for a structured way to reinforce phonics skills? Check out my Magic E Review Bundle, which includes a word sort, Word Bump, Roll and Cover, and phonics game boards—all designed to reinforce the silent E rule in fun, meaningful ways. You can learn more in my post Make Magic E Stick: Fun and Effective Ways to Teach CVCe Words.
Explore My TPT Store
Looking for more tools to support best practice in your literacy instruction? Visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store, Primed for Primary, for no-prep phonics games, differentiated word sorts, and literacy centers that align with the Science of Reading.
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