What is Phono-Graphix?
Phono-Graphix is a remarkably simple, yet highly effective approach to reading instruction and intervention
The theoretical underpinnings of Phono-Graphix are logical, straightforward and sensible, encouraging its rapid spread and popularity among teachers. It is based simply on the nature of the English code, the three skills needed to access that code, and teaching these in keeping with the way children learn.
In 1996, Carmen and Geoffrey McGuinness set the field of reading research and instruction on its side with their research published in the Orton Annals of Dyslexia (the research journal of the International Dyslexia Society). In it they demonstrated standard score gains in reading 6 times higher than that achieved by any other reading method. Their research and promotion continues here at the Phono-Graphix Reading Company.
There are four concepts that comprise the nature of the English written code
Concept 1 - Letters are pictures of sounds
That is what is meant by the word "phonetic", that sounds are what is pictured in the written language.
The word cat is actually three sound pictures - pictures of c, a and t
Do children understand this? Yes! Children have a remarkable ability to assess visual figures. At two days a baby can distinguish his mother's face from any other human face. Children assess visual figures in the world around them every day. In many languages that's all we need to know. But in English there is more to know in order to render the code "phonetic".
Concept 2 - Sound pictures can be represented with more than one letter
Just as 'cat' is three sound pictures, boat is also three pictures, of the three sounds b, oa, and t
Can children understand this? Yes! Children combine and reuse figures in the world around them every day. They don't need a rule to recognize that
this is a triangle,
this is a square,
and a triangle on top of a square is a house!
The developers of Phono-Graphix asked 40 four-, five- and six-year-old children what these pictures were. Every single one recognized all three shapes. Not one of them needed an explicit rule for why a triangle on top of a square is a ‘house’. Similarly, they do not need an explicit rule to tell them that the sound picture of 'o' in 'top', combined with the 'a' in 'cat', makes a different sound picture - the 'oa' in 'boat'.
Concept 3 - There is variation in the code
All the sounds in the English language can be shown with more than one picture. Consider the oa sound in boat. That sound can be represented differently in different words:
b oa t
s l ow
m o s t
t oe
n o t e
th ough
Can children understand this? Yes! Children can easily learn that oa, ow, o, oe, o _ e, and ough are all pictures of the same sound, just as they learn that this is a flower, this
is a flower, and this
is a flower.
Concept 4 - There is overlap in the code
Some sound pictures can represent more than one sound: ow can be 'oe' as in fl ow n, or 'ow' as in br ow n
ow = f l ow n
ow = b r ow n
Can children understand this? Yes! Children manage this as they easily manage that this can be a ball, a circle, a moon or any number of things. How many things do you think this could be? How many things can the average four-, five-, or six-year-old think of? The developers of Phono-Graphix asked 40 of them. The average number of labels generated was 6. Children manage overlap in visual images in the world around them every day. So they can easily manage that ow can be ‘ow’ as in brown or ‘oe’ as in grown.
The Skills Needed to Use Such a Code
There are three skills the brain engages to sort out a code with such a nature. Reading and spelling are dependent upon expertise at these three skills.
1. Segmenting - The ability to separate the sounds in words. To use a sound picture code one must be able to access and decode the independent sounds within words.
brown => b r ow n
2. Blending - The ability to blend sounds into words. To use a sound picture code children must be able to push sounds together into meaningful words.
b r ow n => brown
3. Phoneme Manipulation - The ability to pull sounds into and out of words. To use a code that contains overlap children must be able to try the possible sounds that a sound picture might represent. When b r oe n doesn't make sense, the child can slide out the oe, try ow, and get b r ow n.
The Nature of the Learner
The nature of the learning child is that he/she:
- has concrete logic
Children are very literal. They don't think in rules or generalizations. To them a 'long u' looks like this and a 'short u' looks like this
, and they will really be confused when the u sounds in super and put don't fit either rule.
- seeks identification
- seeks order and meaning

- learns best in context
- learns best when material is relevant
- learns best as an active participant in discovery
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Related Pages
Phono-Graphix in Theory and Practice
Research on Phono-Graphix - Peer Reviewed Publications
Orton Annals of Dyslexia: Phono-Graphix™: A New Method for Remediating Reading Difficulties
The Research Behind the Phono-Graphix Reading Method
Contact Phono-Graphix Reading Company
Latest News
We are delighted to announce that licensed trainer Michelle Cicotte will be piloting a new format for the Phono-Graphix Certification Course this month! The new Phono-Graphix Hybrid Certification Course combines state-of-the-art learning management technology with the mentorship of an experienced practitioner. Coursework includes self-paced online learning with online, but live, scheduled presentations, Q&A sessions and job-embedded coaching. The best of both worlds!
We are so pleased to see another step in the return to normalcy: expert trainer, Meg Davis is picking up where she left off in bringing Phono-Graphix to her district. Joining her is long-time practitioner, Jennifer Crain.
Sound to Symbol to Meaning Dual Certification Course:
Arlington Public Schools, Arlington, VA
January 12, 19 and February 2, 2023.
Welcome, University of Saint Joseph, Literacy Interns! Sharon M. Ware, Ph.D, Associate Professor, Director of Literacy Internship Program and Licensed Phono-Graphix trainer will conduct a certification course for USJ interns over the Fall semester, with a mix of instruction and job-embedded coaching. It's wonderful to see new teachers learning to prevent and address reading problems!
SOUND SEARCH STORIES is now available, the latest of our new DECODABLE PHONO-GRAPHIX STORY BOOKS! This book compiles the classic decodable stories aligned with the word lists and lessons of the Purple/Advanced Code Level, beautifully updated for more natural language and with engaging, full-color illustrations of adorable characters! ADD TO YOUR PHONO-GRAPHIX READER LIBRARY NOW!
Thank you, Hitchcock ISD Dyslexia Interventionists, for joining in our Certification Training. And thank you, Ceresa Nichols, for conducting their Certification Course there in Hitchcock this month. We're so pleased that you are learning Phono-Graphix!
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