Unit Overview: 

This unit is devoted to introducing several new spelling alternatives for vowel and consonant sounds.

In this unit you will introduce the following:

Spelling Alternatives for Vowel Sounds

• /er/ > ‘ar’ (dollar)

• /er/ > ‘or’ (work)

Tricky Spellings for Vowel Sounds

• ‘ea’ > /e/ (head)

• ‘i’ > /ee/ (ski)

• ‘a’ > /o/ (lava)

Spelling Alternatives for Consonant Sounds

• /f/ > ‘ph’ (phone)

• /k/ > ‘ch’ (school)

Tricky Spellings

The tricky spellings ‘ea,’ ‘ar,’ ‘or,’ ‘i,’ and ‘a’ are explicitly addressed in this unit. Remember that as more and more tricky spellings are introduced, it increases the challenge that students face when reading. Remind them to use their puzzling skills, such as chunking words into syllables, trying alternative sounds for specific spellings, referring to the Individual Code Chart and Spelling Trees, and using context when they encounter challenging words. If you find that students still need additional practice decoding these tricky spellings, you can choose among tricky spelling activities listed in the Additional Support activities at the end of the lessons and in the Pausing Point.

Unit Calendar:

Unit 6 is 36 instructional days with 2 pausing points. It is recommended that it be taught from April 16th to June 17th.