Common Phonics Teaching Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

If teaching phonics sometimes feels overwhelming, you’re not alone! With so much conflicting advice out there, it’s easy to fall into common teaching traps that actually slow down student progress. But the good news? Once you know better, you can do better—and I’m here to help!

In this episode, I’m breaking down the four biggest phonics mistakes I see teachers make and, more importantly, how to fix them. Whether it’s moving too fast, skipping phonemic awareness, or relying on outdated strategies, you’ll walk away with clear, research-backed solutions that make phonics instruction easier and more effective.

In this episode, we'll explore... 

• Why pacing guides shouldn’t dictate when to move on (and what to use instead).
• The critical role phonemic awareness plays in phonics success.
• Why leveled readers don’t work—and what to use instead.
• A better way to teach high-frequency words without memorization.

Show Links

"The Best Order to Teach Phonics" podcast episode
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