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September 8, 2025 15 mins

If you’ve ever followed your phonics program to the letter and still thought, “What am I missing?” — this episode is for you. The truth? Even the best programs make mistakes that leave students stuck.

We’re pulling back the curtain on the top 5 things phonics programs get wrong—and how to fix them with practical, science-backed strategies you can use right away.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

  • The red flag hiding in your phonics scope and sequence.
  • Why students aren’t gaining fluency (even if they know their letter sounds).
  • How to use decodable texts the right way.
  • The foundational skill most programs rush past.
  • A simple way to differentiate phonics groups—without creating 25 lesson plans.

Show Links

Decodable Texts
Phonics Lessons
Phonological Awareness Warm Ups
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