Imperfect Phonogram Spelling Folder Activity Set

Scratch & Dent Discount: This comprehensive set includes 42 cards, 42 booklets and 14 phonogram folders (choose luxurious cloth pouches or economical paper envelopes). Get the entire set or purchase just the folders that you need.

Inspired by Montessori trainer Muriel Dwyer, this spelling system takes a logical and sequential approach to helping beginning readers learn about the typical variations in English spelling.  

Start by inviting the child to choose one folder (the key sound is printed on the front of each folder and on the back of each booklet and card as a control of error). Then, take out all of the cards in the folder and explain, "Did you know that there are many ways to make the 'ee' sound?" Then show them the ee card and say, "This says 'ee'." Then show them the e-e card and say, "And this says 'ee'." Then show them the ea card and say, "And this says 'ee'." Continue for the other cards. Then play a little game where you point to each card and say, "What does this say?"

We have a special way to introduce the silent e you'll find on these cards. Watch the video for details.

Next, take out the little booklets that match the cards. Place each booklet on top of its card (for example, place the 'ea' booklet on top of the 'ea' card). Then, guide the child to read each of the booklets. They just love being able to read these tiny books! And, the more they read, the more they start to recognize accurate spellings. This is an effortless way to ease young children into spelling.

Matches perfectly with the Phonogram Spelling Dictionary.

Folder contents are as follows:

Note: Don't worry about teaching every possible pattern of spelling variation in English; that would be an overwhelming task. Instead, we show the children enough examples to convey that English spelling requires flexibility and practice. The rest comes with reading and writing experience.

These folders were first designed by Muriel Dwyer, AMI teacher trainer in the United Kingdom and Africa. She worked extensively in both English and Swahili which are both partially phonetic languages. Ms. Dwyer adapted Dr. Montessori’s approach (which was developed for Italian, a purely phonetic language) for use in any language that is partially phonetic. The Dwyer system is regularly incorporated into AMI Montessori programs around the world.