From Sounds to Spelling

Name: From Sounds to Spelling
Brand: Learning at the Primary Pond

by Learning at the Primary Pond

ElaGrades K–2

About This Curriculum

A Science of Reading based phonics program that provides explicit instruction in phonics and phonological awareness for K-2 students. Includes lesson plans, decodable texts, sorts, games, and professional development videos.

What makes it unique: Comprehensive program designed to serve as a complete phonics program with integrated phonological awareness and phonics instruction; includes 35 weeks of instruction with differentiation and built-in review; research-based scope and sequence adapted from leading literacy experts.

From Sounds to Spelling: Science of Reading-Based Phonics Program

From Sounds to Spelling is a K-2 phonics program developed by Learning at the Primary Pond that emphasizes explicit phonics and phonological awareness instruction. The curriculum includes lesson plans, decodable texts, phonics sorts, games, and professional development videos designed to align with Science of Reading principles.

Best for

K-2 teachers seeking explicit, systematic phonics instruction aligned with Science of Reading principles, particularly those needing structured lesson plans and professional development support

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 1 concern · 2 neutral · 3 insufficient evidence

Teacher TrainingStrength

The curriculum includes professional development support through instructional videos.

Program specifically mentions inclusion of 'professional development videos' as part of the materials

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum supports explicit, direct instruction through its Science of Reading foundation.

Described as providing 'explicit instruction' and includes structured lesson plans, suggesting a direct instruction approach

Systematic PhonicsStrength

The curriculum appears to provide systematic phonics instruction aligned with Science of Reading principles.

Explicitly described as 'Science of Reading based phonics program' with 'explicit instruction in phonics and phonological awareness'

Text ComplexityConcern

EdReports found the curriculum only partially meets expectations for grade-level text complexity and quality.

EdReports Gateway 1 rating of 'Partially Meets Expectations' for text quality and complexity alignment to grade-level demands

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The inclusion of phonics sorts and games may provide some practice opportunities, though specific retrieval practice methods are unclear.

Program includes 'sorts' and 'games' which could facilitate skill practice, but specific retrieval practice strategies are not detailed

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsNeutral

The curriculum appears to focus on decodable texts and phonics materials rather than whole books.

Program includes decodable texts as part of its phonics-focused approach, which typically involves shorter, skill-based reading materials

Knowledge RichInsufficient Evidence

Insufficient evidence to determine if the curriculum systematically builds domain knowledge beyond phonics skills.

Available information focuses on phonics and phonological awareness instruction without details about content knowledge building

Vocabulary BuildingInsufficient Evidence

Limited evidence regarding explicit vocabulary instruction beyond phonics-related word knowledge.

Program description emphasizes phonics and phonological awareness but does not specifically mention vocabulary building strategies

Writing InstructionInsufficient Evidence

Insufficient evidence to assess the quality or presence of structured writing instruction.

Available materials mention phonics sorts and games but do not reference writing instruction components

Sources: edreports.org

Review Sources

edreports

EdReports Panel

Gateway 1 Alignment:Partially Meets Expectations

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Key Facts

GradesGrades K–2

SubjectEla

PedagogyInquiry Based

Faith-BasedNo

FormatDigital + Physical

Pricing12-month non-transferable license for 1 teacher; files are downloadable; access to portal with PD videos can be renewed annually. Specific pricing not listed on website, requires quote request for schools/districts.

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