A systematic phonics and reading program for second grade that advances students from basic vowel patterns to complex multisyllabic decoding. Students master variant vowel patterns, silent letters, syllable division strategies, and Greek/Latin roots while building fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Biblical texts and themes are integrated throughout to celebrate literacy as a gift that enables us to read and understand God's Word.
Decode multisyllabic words using syllable division rules and complex vowel patterns with 97% accuracy
Read grade-level text fluently at 70-90 words per minute with natural expression and phrasing
Automatically recognize 200+ high-frequency words and apply morphological knowledge for word meaning
Comprehend and analyze text by identifying central messages, making inferences with text evidence, and understanding author's purpose
Apply phonics knowledge to spell words accurately and use vocabulary strategies including Greek and Latin roots
Click any week to see daily lesson details.
Review short vowel CVC words and assess phonemic awareness skills through sound manipulation games.
Segment and blend CVC words; identify and manipulate phonemesgameReview consonant digraphs (sh, ch, th, wh, ck) through sorting activities and decodable text reading.
Decode words with consonant digraphs automaticallyhands-onReview initial and final consonant blends (bl, cr, st, nd, mp) with word building and reading practice.
Decode words with consonant blends fluentlyhands-onReview CVCe (silent-e) pattern and practice reading words with long vowels created by silent-e.
Decode CVCe words and distinguish from CVC wordsworksheetApply all reviewed patterns to read a decodable Bible story about God's faithfulness. Scripture: Psalm 119:105.
Read connected text with reviewed patterns; comprehend main ideadiscussionPractice segmenting and blending multisyllabic words by clapping, tapping, and counting syllables.
Segment multisyllabic words into syllables accuratelyhands-onManipulate phonemes in words with blends and digraphs: substitute, delete, and add sounds.
Delete and substitute phonemes in complex wordsgameSegment and blend syllables in multisyllabic Bible names (Abraham, Elizabeth, Jerusalem).
Apply phonological awareness to decode Bible vocabularydiscussionChange one phoneme to create new words (blend → blend → trend → trend); focus on accuracy and speed.
Fluently substitute phonemes in words with blendsgameIdentify, segment, and blend multisyllabic words in connected text to support decoding.
Use phonemic awareness as a decoding strategyhands-onIntroduce the ai vowel team, its sound, and common words (rain, train, wait, faith).
Decode words with ai vowel teamhands-onIntroduce the ay vowel team (used at the end of words: day, pray, stay, way).
Decode words with ay vowel team and understand positional ruleshands-onSort and spell words with ai (middle) and ay (end) patterns; practice spelling rules.
Apply spelling generalizations for ai and ayworksheetRead and write sentences with ai/ay words related to worship (pray, praise, faith, way). Scripture: Psalm 100:4.
Decode and encode ai/ay words in biblical contextdiscussionRead a decodable story featuring ai and ay words; answer comprehension questions about main idea.
Read connected text with ai/ay patterns fluentlydiscussionIntroduce the ee vowel team and practice reading words (tree, seed, sheep, sweet).
Decode words with ee vowel teamhands-onIntroduce the ea vowel team (most common: long e sound) with words like read, teach, peace, heal.
Decode words with ea vowel team (long e)hands-onSort words by vowel team pattern and practice spelling ee and ea words in isolation and sentences.
Distinguish between ee and ea patterns; apply to spellinghands-onRead and discuss the Parable of the Sower using ee/ea words (seed, teach, hear). Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9.
Decode ee/ea words in biblical narrative; identify story elementsdiscussionRead a decodable story with ee/ea patterns; practice fluency through repeated reading.
Read text with ee/ea vowel teams with increased fluencydiscussionIntroduce the oa vowel team with words like boat, coat, road, and goal.
Decode words with oa vowel teamhands-onIntroduce ow as a long o vowel team (snow, grow, show, know) and distinguish from ow as /ou/.
Decode words with ow (long o) and distinguish from /ou/ soundhands-onSort and spell words with oa and ow (long o); practice positional patterns.
Apply spelling rules for oa and ow patternsworksheetRead the story of Noah using oa/ow words (boat, rainbow, float). Scripture: Genesis 6-9.
Decode oa/ow words in biblical context; sequence story eventsdiscussionRead a decodable text featuring oa/ow words; answer comprehension questions about characters and setting.
Read connected text with oa/ow patterns; comprehend story elementsdiscussionIntroduce ar as an r-controlled vowel where r changes the vowel sound (car, star, farm, dark).
Decode words with ar patternhands-onBuild and read ar words by changing initial and final consonants; practice spelling.
Encode and decode ar words fluentlyhands-onRead sentences and short passages with ar words; identify main ideas.
Read connected text with ar pattern; comprehend main ideaworksheetRead about God creating the stars using ar words (stars, dark, far). Scripture: Genesis 1:14-19.
Decode ar words in biblical context; discuss God's creationdiscussionRead a decodable story set on a farm with ar words; practice expression and fluency.
Read text with ar pattern with appropriate expressiondiscussionIntroduce or as an r-controlled vowel (for, corn, horn, storm, morning).
Decode words with or patternhands-onBuild word families with or (corn, horn, torn, born; for, nor; storm, form).
Decode and encode or words in word familieshands-onSort words by ar and or patterns; practice distinguishing between the two sounds.
Distinguish ar from or in reading and spellingworksheetRead Psalm 23 focusing on or words (Lord, restore). Discuss God as our shepherd.
Decode or words in Scripture; comprehend biblical metaphordiscussionRead a decodable story about a storm featuring or words; answer comprehension questions.
Read connected text with or pattern; identify problem and solutiondiscussionIntroduce er, ir, and ur as three ways to spell the /er/ sound (her, bird, turn).
Decode words with er, ir, and ur patternshands-onFocus on er words (her, fern, term, verb, serve) and practice reading and spelling.
Decode and encode words with er patternhands-onFocus on ir words (bird, girl, first, shirt, third) and practice in context.
Decode and encode words with ir patternhands-onFocus on ur words (turn, burn, church, hurt, nurse) and practice spelling strategies.
Decode and encode words with ur patternworksheetRead about serving God using er/ir/ur words (serve, first, church). Scripture: Joshua 24:15.
Decode er/ir/ur words in biblical context; discuss applicationdiscussionReview ai, ay, ee, ea, oa, ow through sorting and reading games.
Automatically decode words with vowel teamsgameReview ar, or, er, ir, ur through word building and sentence reading.
Automatically decode words with r-controlled vowelsgameRead passages containing mixed vowel teams and r-controlled patterns; focus on accuracy.
Decode mixed patterns in connected textworksheetPractice repeated reading of fluency passages with reviewed patterns; track words per minute.
Increase reading rate while maintaining accuracydiscussionRead a Bible story featuring all reviewed patterns; practice expression and comprehension.
Read biblical text fluently with expressiondiscussionIntroduce oo with two sounds: long /oo/ (moon, food) and short /oo/ (book, good).
Decode words with both oo soundshands-onFocus on long oo sound words (moon, soon, food, cool, school).
Decode words with long oo soundhands-onFocus on short oo sound words (book, look, good, took, stood).
Decode words with short oo soundhands-onSort oo words by sound; practice reading and spelling both patterns.
Distinguish between two oo sounds in reading and spellingworksheetRead about the Bible as God's good book using oo words. Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16.
Decode oo words in biblical context; discuss Scripture's importancediscussionIntroduce ou making /ou/ sound (house, mouse, shout, loud, found).
Decode words with ou pattern (/ou/ sound)hands-onIntroduce ow making /ou/ sound (cow, now, down, town, brown); distinguish from ow as long o.
Decode words with ow (/ou/ sound) and distinguish from long ohands-onSort and spell words with ou and ow (/ou/ sound); learn common spelling patterns.
Apply spelling generalizations for ou and owworksheetRead about praising God with ou/ow words (shout, loud, bow down). Scripture: Psalm 100.
Decode ou/ow words in worship context; express praisediscussionRead the parable of the wise and foolish builders using ou/ow words. Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27.
Decode ou/ow words in biblical narrative; identify lessondiscussionIntroduce oi making /oi/ sound in the middle of words (oil, coin, point, join, noise).
Decode words with oi patternhands-onIntroduce oy making /oi/ sound at the end of words (boy, joy, toy, enjoy, loyal).
Decode words with oy pattern and understand positional ruleshands-onSort words by oi (middle) and oy (end); practice spelling rules.
Apply positional spelling rules for oi and oyworksheetRead about joy in the Lord using oi/oy words (joy, rejoice, voice). Scripture: Nehemiah 8:10.
Decode oi/oy words in biblical context; discuss Christian joydiscussionRead a decodable story with oi/oy words; practice fluency and answer comprehension questions.
Read connected text with oi/oy patterns fluentlydiscussionIntroduce au making /aw/ sound (author, August, cause, pause, haunt).
Decode words with au patternhands-onIntroduce aw making /aw/ sound (law, saw, draw, straw, yawn).
Decode words with aw patternhands-onSort and spell words with au and aw; identify positional patterns.
Apply spelling rules for au and aw patternsworksheetRead about God's law using au/aw words (law, cause, taught). Scripture: Psalm 19:7.
Decode au/aw words in biblical context; discuss obediencediscussionRead a passage about drawing near to God with au/aw words; practice expression.
Read text with au/aw patterns with appropriate expressiondiscussionIntroduce silent k in kn words (knee, knife, know, knight, knock).
Decode words with silent k (kn pattern)hands-onIntroduce silent w in wr words (write, wrong, wrap, wrist, wreath).
Decode words with silent w (wr pattern)hands-onIntroduce silent g in gn words (sign, gnat, gnaw, design, reign).
Decode words with silent g (gn pattern)hands-onIntroduce silent b in mb words (lamb, climb, thumb, comb, crumb).
Decode words with silent b (mb pattern)hands-onRead about Jesus as the Lamb of God using silent letter words. Scripture: John 1:29.
Decode silent letter words in biblical context; understand biblical symbolismdiscussionIntroduce and practice 10 new high-frequency words (because, before, could, every, first).
Automatically recognize new high-frequency wordsgameIntroduce and practice 10 more high-frequency words (found, give, many, over, people).
Automatically recognize additional high-frequency wordsgameBuild and read sentences using newly learned high-frequency words.
Use high-frequency words in contexthands-onPractice rapid recognition of high-frequency words through timed activities.
Increase automaticity with high-frequency wordsgameRead Bible verses containing high-frequency words; practice fluent reading. Scripture: Psalm 136:1.
Apply high-frequency word knowledge to Scripture readingdiscussionIntroduce closed syllables: syllables ending in consonant(s) with short vowel sound (cat, win, box).
Identify closed syllables in one-syllable wordshands-onDecode two-syllable words with two closed syllables (napkin, rabbit, sunset, basket).
Decode multisyllabic words with closed syllableshands-onPractice dividing words with closed syllables using VC/CV pattern (rab/bit, nap/kin).
Apply VC/CV syllable division ruleworksheetSpell multisyllabic words with closed syllables; apply syllable knowledge to encoding.
Use syllable knowledge for spellingworksheetRead about God's blessings using closed syllable words (basket, cannot, happen). Scripture: James 1:17.
Decode closed syllable words in biblical contextdiscussionIntroduce open syllables: syllables ending in a vowel with long vowel sound (me, go, she).
Identify open syllables in one-syllable wordshands-onDecode two-syllable words with open syllables (baby, music, open, robot, tiger).
Decode multisyllabic words with open syllableshands-onPractice dividing words with open syllables using V/CV pattern (ba/by, o/pen).
Apply V/CV syllable division ruleworksheetCompare and contrast open and closed syllables; practice identifying both types.
Distinguish between open and closed syllablesworksheetRead about Moses and the Red Sea using open syllable words (Moses, open). Scripture: Exodus 14.
Decode open syllable words in biblical narrativediscussionIdentify VCe syllables in multisyllabic words (cupcake, reptile, complete, invite).
Recognize VCe syllables in multisyllabic wordshands-onPractice syllable division with words containing VCe syllables (cup/cake, in/vite).
Apply syllable division with VCe patternshands-onDecode words with mixed syllable types (closed, open, VCe) in the same word.
Decode multisyllabic words with varied syllable typesworksheetReview all three syllable types learned so far through sorting and reading activities.
Identify and decode closed, open, and VCe syllablesgameRead about being complete in Christ using VCe words (complete, invite). Scripture: Colossians 2:10.
Decode VCe syllable words in biblical contextdiscussionIntroduce prefix un- meaning 'not' or 'opposite' (unhappy, unkind, unfair, unlock).
Decode words with un- prefix and understand meaning changehands-onAdd un- to base words to create new words; discuss meaning changes.
Apply un- prefix to base words; determine new meaningshands-onIntroduce prefix re- meaning 'again' or 'back' (redo, replay, return, retell).
Decode words with re- prefix and understand meaning changehands-onPractice choosing correct prefix for context; decode words with both prefixes.
Apply prefix knowledge to determine word meaning in contextworksheetRead about repentance using re- words (return, repent, restore). Scripture: Acts 3:19.
Decode prefix words in biblical context; understand repentancediscussionReview adding -s and -es to make plurals; practice spelling rules (cat/cats, box/boxes).
Decode and spell plural words with -s and -eshands-onPractice adding -ed to verbs for past tense; learn three sounds of -ed (/t/, /d/, /ed/).
Decode words with -ed suffix; recognize three pronunciationshands-onPractice adding -ing to verbs; learn dropping-e rule (make/making, run/running).
Decode and spell words with -ing suffixhands-onPractice spelling rules for adding suffixes: drop e, double consonant, change y to i.
Apply suffix spelling rules accuratelyworksheetRead about creation using words with suffixes (created, living, birds). Scripture: Genesis 1.
Decode suffix words in biblical narrativediscussionLearn components of fluency: accuracy, rate, and expression; assess baseline reading rate.
Understand fluency components; establish baseline WPMdiscussionPractice repeated reading of the same passage to improve rate and accuracy.
Increase reading rate through repeated readinghands-onPractice using punctuation and context clues to read with appropriate expression and emotion.
Read with expression appropriate to texthands-onPractice partner reading strategies: echo reading, choral reading, and taking turns.
Read fluently with a partner; provide feedbackhands-onRead Psalms with expression and emotion; practice fluent Scripture reading. Scripture: Psalm 23.
Read biblical text fluently with appropriate expressiondiscussionIntroduce main idea as what a text is mostly about; distinguish from details.
Identify main idea in short passagesdiscussionIdentify supporting details that tell more about the main idea.
Identify supporting details in texthands-onPractice finding main idea in longer paragraphs; use graphic organizers.
Determine main idea in multi-paragraph textworksheetDistinguish between topic (one word) and main idea (complete thought).
Differentiate topic from main ideaworksheetIdentify the main idea in Gospel passages about Jesus. Scripture: John 3:16.
Determine main idea in biblical textdiscussionIntroduce inference as using clues from text plus what we know to figure out what's not directly stated.
Understand concept of inferencediscussionMake inferences from pictures and short captions; explain reasoning.
Make inferences from visual and text clueshands-onPractice identifying text evidence that supports inferences; use evidence charts.
Support inferences with text evidenceworksheetInfer how characters feel and why they act based on text clues.
Make inferences about character emotions and motivationsdiscussionMake inferences about lessons in Jesus' parables. Scripture: Luke 15:11-32 (Prodigal Son).
Make inferences in biblical narrative; identify themesdiscussionIntroduce concept of root words as word parts that carry meaning from Greek and Latin.
Understand concept of root wordsdiscussionExplore graph root meaning 'write' (autograph, photograph, paragraph, graphic).
Use graph root to determine word meaninghands-onExplore phon root meaning 'sound' (phone, phonics, microphone, symphony).
Use phon root to determine word meaninghands-onBuild word families from roots; create word trees showing related words.
Identify word families sharing common rootshands-onExplore Greek roots in Bible words (theology, apostle, prophet, disciple).
Use root knowledge to understand biblical vocabularydiscussionIdentify vowel team syllables (two vowels making one sound) in multisyllabic words.
Recognize vowel team syllables in multisyllabic wordshands-onDecode multisyllabic words containing vowel team syllables (rainbow, teacher, seaweed).
Decode words with vowel team syllableshands-onReview and compare closed, open, VCe, and vowel team syllables.
Identify and distinguish four syllable typesworksheetDecode words with multiple syllable types in the same word.
Apply syllable knowledge to complex multisyllabic wordsworksheetRead about God's rainbow covenant using vowel team syllable words. Scripture: Genesis 9:12-17.
Decode vowel team syllables in biblical contextdiscussionIdentify r-controlled syllables (ar, or, er, ir, ur) in multisyllabic words.
Recognize r-controlled syllables in multisyllabic wordshands-onDecode multisyllabic words containing r-controlled syllables (corner, market, perfect).
Decode words with r-controlled syllableshands-onReview all five syllable types: closed, open, VCe, vowel team, r-controlled.
Identify and decode all five syllable typesgameApply syllable division rules to decode unfamiliar multisyllabic words.
Use syllable division as a decoding strategyworksheetRead about God's eternal nature using r-controlled syllable words (forever, eternal). Scripture: Psalm 90:2.
Decode r-controlled syllables in biblical textdiscussionIntroduce consonant-le as a final syllable pattern (table, apple, bubble, candle).
Recognize consonant-le syllables at word endingshands-onPractice syllable division with consonant-le words (ta/ble, ap/ple, bub/ble).
Apply syllable division with consonant-le patternhands-onReview all six syllable types including consonant-le; practice identifying each type.
Identify all six syllable types in multisyllabic wordsworksheetDecode complex multisyllabic words using all syllable type knowledge.
Decode complex multisyllabic words systematicallyworksheetRead about Jesus teaching in parables using consonant-le words (parable, example). Scripture: Matthew 13:34.
Decode consonant-le syllables in biblical contextdiscussionIntroduce -tion suffix making /shun/ sound; meaning 'act of' or 'state of' (action, creation, nation).
Decode words with -tion suffix; understand meaninghands-onIntroduce -sion suffix (also /shun/ sound after l, n, r: decision, mission, version).
Decode words with -sion suffix; distinguish from -tionhands-onAdd -tion and -sion to base words; understand how they change verbs to nouns.
Apply -tion and -sion suffixes to create new wordshands-onLearn spelling patterns for choosing -tion vs. -sion; practice in context.
Apply spelling rules for -tion and -sion suffixesworksheetRead about God's creation and salvation using -tion words. Scripture: Genesis 1:1; John 3:16.
Decode -tion suffix words in biblical theology contextdiscussionIntroduce text structure as how authors organize information; identify signal words.
Understand concept of text structurediscussionIdentify sequence structure (order of events); use signal words (first, next, then, finally).
Identify sequence text structure and signal wordshands-onIdentify compare/contrast structure; use signal words (alike, different, both, however).
Identify compare/contrast structure and use graphic organizersworksheetIdentify cause/effect structure; use signal words (because, so, since, as a result).
Identify cause and effect relationships in textworksheetIdentify text structures in Bible narratives (sequence in creation, cause/effect in choices).
Recognize text structure in biblical narrativediscussionIntroduce three main purposes: to inform, to persuade, to entertain.
Identify author's purpose in simple textsdiscussionIdentify informational texts and their features; understand inform purpose.
Recognize texts written to inform; identify featureshands-onIdentify persuasive texts and opinion words; understand persuade purpose.
Recognize texts written to persuade; identify opinion languagehands-onIdentify entertaining texts (stories, poems); understand entertain purpose.
Recognize texts written to entertainworksheetDiscuss purposes of different Bible genres (Psalms entertain/worship, Proverbs inform, Epistles persuade). Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16.
Identify author's purpose in various biblical textsdiscussionReview using context clues to figure out unknown word meanings; identify clue types.
Use context clues to determine word meaningdiscussionIdentify definition clues (word meaning stated) and restatement clues (said another way).
Use definition and restatement context clueshands-onIdentify example clues (examples given) and synonym clues (similar word used).
Use example and synonym context clueshands-onIdentify antonym clues (opposite word used) and contrast clues (shows difference).
Use antonym and contrast context cluesworksheetUse context clues to understand challenging Bible vocabulary in passages.
Apply context clue strategies to biblical textdiscussionPractice reading in meaningful phrases rather than word-by-word; use punctuation as guide.
Read with natural phrasinghands-onPractice adjusting reading rate based on text difficulty and purpose.
Adjust reading rate appropriately for different textshands-onPractice reading dialogue with appropriate character voices and expression.
Read dialogue with expression and character differentiationhands-onRecord and evaluate own reading; identify areas for fluency improvement.
Self-monitor and self-correct for fluencyhands-onPractice reading Scripture passages with appropriate expression and reverence. Scripture: Psalm 100.
Read biblical text fluently with meaningful expressiondiscussionIntroduce summarizing as retelling the most important parts briefly in own words.
Understand concept and purpose of summarizingdiscussionUse SWBST strategy to summarize fiction: identify character, goal, problem, solution, ending.
Summarize fiction using SWBST frameworkhands-onSummarize nonfiction by identifying main idea and most important supporting details.
Summarize nonfiction text accuratelyworksheetDistinguish between detailed retelling and concise summary; practice being brief.
Differentiate summary from retelling; write concise summariesworksheetPractice summarizing Bible narratives using SWBST strategy. Scripture: David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17).
Summarize biblical narrative accurately and conciselydiscussionIntroduce and practice words 150-175 from high-frequency word list.
Automatically recognize high-frequency words 150-175gameIntroduce and practice words 176-200 from high-frequency word list.
Automatically recognize high-frequency words 176-200gamePractice rapid recognition of all 200 high-frequency words through timed activities.
Read high-frequency words with automaticitygameUse high-frequency words in creative writing; focus on correct spelling.
Spell and use high-frequency words in writinghands-onIdentify and read high-frequency words in Bible verses; practice fluent reading.
Apply sight word knowledge to Scripture readingdiscussionIdentify character traits and support with evidence from character actions and words.
Identify and support character traits with text evidencediscussionAnalyze how characters respond to major events and challenges in stories.
Describe how characters respond to challengeshands-onIdentify how characters change from beginning to end of story; explain why.
Analyze character development and changeworksheetInfer character feelings and motivations using text evidence and background knowledge.
Infer character emotions and motives with text supportworksheetAnalyze how Bible characters responded to God's call and challenges. Scripture: Various examples.
Analyze biblical characters' responses and growthdiscussionReview all phonics patterns learned this year through fun game activities.
Decode words with all learned phonics patternsgameReview all comprehension strategies (main idea, inference, summary, text structure, author's purpose).
Apply all comprehension strategies to textdiscussionStudents read favorite passages to demonstrate fluency growth; compare to beginning of year.
Read grade-level text fluently with expressionhands-onCelebrate the gift of reading by reading favorite Bible verses and stories. Scripture: Psalm 119:105.
Read Scripture fluently; celebrate literacy as God's giftdiscussionAssess year-end reading skills; celebrate growth; set goals for continued reading.
Demonstrate mastery of second grade reading skillsdiscussionStart with Day 1 and work through at your own pace. Each lesson builds on the last!