UFLI lessons 1-53 · word lists, phrase and sentence cards, picture prompts, heart words, Mandarin-L1 articulation notes. Companion to the Setup Guide.
Foundations — the science behind every lesson
The Simple View of Reading
Reading comprehension = decoding × linguistic comprehension. Both factors are necessary; neither alone is sufficient. Gough & Tunmer (1986). For Mandarin-L1 ESL learners, BOTH factors typically start near zero in English. That's why this framework runs vocabulary work (Stage –1, classified baskets) alongside phonics — multiplication only happens when both factors grow together.
Ehri's four phases of word reading
Linnea Ehri (2009) describes how every reader progresses through four developmental phases. Knowing where a child is tells you what to teach next.
Phase
What the child does
Where in Pink Phase
1. Pre-alphabetic
Reads logos and shapes (the M for McDonald's). No letter-sound knowledge yet.
Before Phase 1 / Stage –1
2. Partial alphabetic
Knows some letters; reads using the first letter or two as a clue.
UFLI lessons 5-15 (SATPIN through C)
3. Full alphabetic
Decodes every letter of a word reliably. Slow but accurate.
UFLI lessons 15-34
4. Consolidated alphabetic
Reads chunks (digraphs, syllables, common patterns) without sounding out each letter.
UFLI lessons 35+ (Pink end, Blue, Green)
The first three CVC words a child decodes (sat, pat, tip) are Phase 3 moments. Don't rush past them — the slow decoding builds the orthographic mapping that powers fluent reading later.
UFLI's 8-step daily routine
Every UFLI lesson uses the same 8-step structure. The pattern itself is the lesson — children know what's coming, which lowers anxiety and frees attention for new content.
Visual drill — flash through known letters, see the grapheme say the phoneme.
Auditory drill — hear the phoneme, write the grapheme on a whiteboard.
Introduce the new concept (sandpaper letter, three-period lesson, articulation in the mirror).
Word work — encoding first. Build today's target words with the movable alphabet. Always before reading.
Word work — reading. Read today's words from cards. New + review interleaved.
Sentences. Read short decodable sentences using only known letters + introduced heart words.
Heart words. Introduce or review 2-3 high-frequency irregular words.
Steps 1-4 are warm-up + new concept. Steps 5-8 are application. About 30-40 minutes total, or split into two 20-minute sessions for 3-4 year olds.
How this beats traditional Pink-Blue-Green (NAMC, AMS)
Traditional Montessori
UFLI / this
Sandpaper letters in groups of 4, often by visual contrast (c/o/a/d).
SATPIN first (s, a, t, p, i, n) — child reads sat, pat, tip, pin, sit after 6 lessons.
Phonemic awareness as oral sound games only.
Sound games + explicit phoneme manipulation drill + mirror articulation.
Digraphs (sh, ch, th) in Green Series — late, after blends.
Digraphs at lesson 42, before complex blends — unlocks huge amounts of real text earlier.
Sight words memorised as visual blobs ("puzzle words").
Heart words — decode the regular letters, only the irregular ones in red.
VCe (silent e) before vowel teams.
Same — UFLI agrees here.
Word lists chosen for visual contrast and Montessori tradition.
Word lists chosen so EVERY word is decodable from cumulative letters taught — no guessing required.
Each child's pace driven mostly by teacher observation.
Same, plus UFLI's published scope and sequence as a reliable rate-of-progress benchmark.
Both traditions agree on more than they disagree. The this framework keeps Montessori's physical materials (sandpaper letters, movable alphabet, metal insets) and developmental posture (writing before reading, child-led pace), and replaces NAMC's untested sequence with UFLI's RCT-proven one (Lane et al. 2025).
How to use this document
For each lesson, you get the words, phrases, sentences, picture suggestions, heart words, and Mandarin-L1 articulation notes you need to produce the per-lesson card sets (Material 11 in the Making Guide). Print the words at large size on 240gsm card; print the pictures from Canva or Google Image search using the prompts given; laminate; slice. Make 3-5 copies of each decodable booklet so several children can read at once.
Order of operations every lesson: articulation (mirror, sound game) → sandpaper letter (three-period lesson) → spelling words (movable alphabet, encoding) → reading words → phrase cards → sentence cards → decodable booklet → heart words.
Encoding before decoding. Always. Even when the child can already read the words.
Visual reference — articulation + card layout
Two reference sets you'll want pinned where the teacher can glance at them during lessons.
Mouth shape diagrams — the six Mandarin-critical sounds
These are the six sounds Pink Phase flags as critical for Mandarin-L1 children. Mirror work is mandatory on each one. Show the child the diagram on the wall, then point to their own face in the mirror. The position is the lesson.
L6 · cat, hat, pan
L7 · sat, pat (drop = "sa")
L9, L40 · sit vs seat
L20 · run, red (HARDEST)
L26 · van (not wan / ban)
L44 · thin, math (HARDEST)
Other Mandarin-L1 critical lessons in Pink Phase: /p/ final (L8, tissue test) · /ŏ/ (L14, rounded open) · /ĕ/ vs /ĭ/ (L18, jaw drop) · /ŭ/ (L19, schwa-like) · /b/ vs /p/ (L22, throat buzz) · /j/ /ʤ/ (L25) · /z/ vs /s/ (L30) · consonant clusters (L47+, mouth-shape continuity).
Sample card layouts
Three card types appear across Pink Phase. Print on 240gsm card stock, laminate, slice with a craft knife along the bleed lines. Same layout for Blue and Green Phases.
Sandpaper letter
~14×11 cm. Sand-textured letter glued onto pink card (consonant) or blue card (vowel). Three-period lesson presents it. Shelf 3.
Movable alphabet
~4×6 cm per letter. Wooden or printed-card pieces. Child builds words BEFORE reading them (encoding first). Shelf 3, large compartment box.
Heart word card
~10×6 cm. Black ink for decodable letters, RED for irregular ones, small red heart icon below each red letter. Laminated, threaded on a binder ring. Shelf 4.
Picture-word matching cards (Material 11K in the Setup Guide) use the same 6×8cm picture + matching word card. Picture in colour, word in black on white. Stick to ONE visual style per phase (flat illustration OR line drawing OR photograph) to keep the child's visual memory clean.
Lessons at a glance
L5 · s /s/
L6 · a /ă/
L7 · t /t/
L8 · p /p/
L9 · i /ĭ/
L10 · n /n/
L11 · m /m/
L12 · d /d/
L13 · g /g/
L14 · o /ŏ/
L15 · c /k/
L16 · k /k/
L17 · ck /k/
L18 · e /ĕ/
L19 · u /ŭ/
L20 · r /r/
L21 · h /h/
L22 · b /b/
L23 · f /f/
L24 · l /l/
L25 · j /j/ (the "judge" sound)
L26 · v /v/
L27 · w /w/
L28 · x /ks/
L29 · y /y/
L30 · z /z/
L31 · qu /kw/
L32 · — review —
L33 · — review —
L34 · — review —
L35 · short A — deep dive
L36 · short I — deep dive
L37 · short O — deep dive
L38 · short E — deep dive
L39 · short U — deep dive
L40 · mixed CVC minimal pairs — THE Mandarin lesson
Lessons 1-4 are pre-reading review: rhyming, alphabet sequence, sound matching, and concepts of print. Run these as oral group activities; no letter cards yet. From lesson 5 the daily 8-step routine kicks in with one new letter per lesson.
Lesson 5 — s /s/ letter pool: s
s (snake sound)
Articulation · Teeth almost closed. Tongue tip just behind upper teeth (does not touch). Air hisses out steadily. Voice OFF — no vibration when you put a hand on your throat. Long sound — say "ssssss" and hold it.
Pictures to source snake · curling snake illustration (mirrors the letter shape) sun · simple sun with rays sock · single sock, child-style soup · bowl of soup with steam
Mandarin L1 note · No transfer error. /s/ exists in Mandarin (e.g. sì 四). Just establish the convention: this card says /s/, not "ess." The letter name is for later.
Lesson 6 — a /ă/ letter pool: s, a
a (short a, "apple" sound)
Articulation · Mouth relaxed and open, wider than for any other vowel. Tongue low and flat. Voice ON. Short — don't hold it. Say "a-a-a" in quick bursts.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
as
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
as
Pictures to source apple · a single red apple — short /a/ keyword ant · cartoon ant — short /a/ keyword alligator · friendly cartoon alligator as · two children "as if" mimicking each other (for the word "as")
Mandarin L1 note · This is the single hardest English vowel for Mandarin L1 learners. Mandarin lacks /ă/ entirely — Mandarin speakers tend to substitute /ɑ/ (the open "ah" in 啊 a). Use the mirror every single lesson on this letter. The mouth should be wider and the sound shorter than Mandarin a. Daily minimal-pair drill on cat / cot / cut is the long-term fix.
Lesson 7 — t /t/ letter pool: s, a, t
t (top sound)
Articulation · Tongue tip touches the ridge behind upper teeth, then releases sharply. A small puff of air. Voice OFF. Short and clipped — say "t-t-t" not "tuh."
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
at · sat
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
at · sat · as
Pictures to source top · spinning top toy tap · kitchen faucet/tap cat sat · cat sitting on a mat (preview of "sat" word)
Mandarin L1 note · Mandarin L1 critical: Mandarin syllables do not end in /t/. Speakers will drop the final /t/ — "sat" becomes "sa." Practice the final aspiration explicitly. Hold a piece of tissue paper in front of your mouth: when you say "sat" the tissue should flutter on the final /t/. If it doesn't flutter, the /t/ wasn't produced.
Lesson 8 — p /p/ letter pool: s, a, t, p
p (puppy sound)
Articulation · Both lips press together, then pop apart with a small puff of air. Voice OFF. Short. The "puff" version of /b/. Use the tissue test — say "pat" and the tissue flutters.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
pat · tap · sap · sat · at
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
at · as · sat · pat · tap · sap
Phrase cards
a pat · a tap · a sap
Sentence cards
Pat a cat.
A tap.
Sat!
Pictures to source pat · gentle hand patting a dog tap · kitchen faucet/tap sap · tree sap dripping from a maple tree a pat / a tap · photo with the article "a" + the noun
New heart words this lesson a
Mandarin L1 note · Mandarin has /p/ but only at syllable starts. Final /p/ ("tap") will be dropped. Tissue test again. Also: Mandarin /p/ is less aspirated than English — show the puff of air explicitly.
Lesson 9 — i /ĭ/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i
i (short i, "ink" sound)
Articulation · Lips relaxed, slight smile. Tongue front-high but NOT as tense as /ē/ (long e). Voice ON. Short and quick.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
it · is · sit · pit · tip · sip
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
it · is · sit · pit · tip · sip · pat · tap · sap · sat · at · as
Phrase cards
a tip · a sip · sit at · a pit · sip it
Sentence cards
Sit.
Sip it.
It is a tip.
Pat a pit.
Pictures to source sit · child sitting cross-legged on a mat pit · a small hole in the ground tip · pointed tip of a pencil sip · child sipping water through a straw it · finger pointing at a single small object
Mandarin L1 note · Critical Mandarin L1 contrast: /ĭ/ vs /ē/. Mandarin only has the tense /ĭː/ (sheep). Speakers will say "seet" for "sit," "peet" for "pit." The lax /ĭ/ in "sit" needs a relaxed jaw — slight smile not big grin. Daily minimal-pair drill: sit/seat · pit/Pete · sip/seep · tip/teep.
Lesson 10 — n /n/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n
n (nose sound)
Articulation · Tongue tip touches the ridge behind upper teeth (same place as /t/). Mouth slightly open. Voice ON. Air goes through the nose — pinch your nose and you can't make the sound. Long — say "nnnnn" and hold it.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
in · an · pin · pan · tan · nap · nip · tin · sin
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
in · an · at · is · it · as · pin · pan · tan · tin · nap · nip · sin · sit · pit · tip · sip · pat · tap · sap · sat
Phrase cards
a pin · a pan · in a pan · sit in · an ant · a tin pan · tap a pin
Sentence cards
Sit in a pan.
A tin pan.
A pin.
Pat a pin.
Sit, Sam.
Pictures to source pin · a single safety pin pan · simple frying pan tan · paint sample card in tan/beige tin · tin can nap · sleeping child on a cushion ant · single cartoon ant an ant · photo with the article "an" + the noun
New heart words this lesson I
Mandarin L1 note · /n/ exists in Mandarin including at syllable end (Mandarin an, en, in), so this is one of the easier sounds. Use it as a confidence-building lesson. Note that Mandarin /n/ at syllable end is sometimes velarized — the English /n/ should be cleaner and more forward.
Lesson 11 — m /m/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m
m (mountain sound)
Articulation · Both lips closed (like for /p/ and /b/). Voice ON. Air goes through the nose — pinch your nose and it stops. Long — say "mmmmm" like enjoying food.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
am · mat · map · man · mama
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
am · mat · map · man · in · an · at · is · it · pin · pan · sit · pit
Phrase cards
I am · a map · a mat · a man · sit on a mat
Sentence cards
I am Sam.
A man.
I sit at a mat.
A map.
Pictures to source map · world map or simple paper map mat · doormat or yoga mat man · simple silhouette of a man am · finger pointing at self (for "I am")
New heart words this lesson the
Mandarin L1 note · /m/ is easy — exists in Mandarin in identical position. No transfer error. Use this lesson for confidence and to consolidate the article "a" plus heart words "I" and "the."
Lesson 12 — d /d/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d
d (dog sound)
Articulation · Tongue tip touches the ridge behind upper teeth (same place as /t/ and /n/). Voice ON. Short and quick. The "voiced" version of /t/ — put your hand on your throat: /t/ no buzz, /d/ buzz.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
dad · did · dim · dip · mad · sad · pad · dam
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
dad · did · dim · dip · dam · mad · sad · pad · am · mat · map · man
Phrase cards
a dad · a sad man · a dim mat · dip in · a pad
Sentence cards
Dad sat.
I am sad.
Dip it in.
A mad man.
A pad on a mat.
Pictures to source dad · father with child illustration did · thinking/past action — child looking at their work mad · angry face emoji-style sad · sad face emoji-style and · plus sign / two children together (for the word "and") dip · tortilla chip dipping into salsa
New heart words this lesson to
Mandarin L1 note · Mandarin d (as in dà 大) is actually closer to English /t/ than /d/ — Mandarin doesn't voice initial stops. So learners will produce English /d/ as English /t/. Use the throat-buzz test daily: put your hand on your throat, say /d/, feel the vibration. If no vibration, the voice is off and it became /t/.
Lesson 13 — g /g/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g
g (goat sound)
Articulation · Back of tongue lifts to touch the soft palate at the back of the mouth. Voice ON. The "voiced" version of /k/. Throat buzz.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
gap · gas · gag · dig · pig · gig · tag · nag · sag · dad
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
gap · gas · gag · dig · pig · gig · tag · nag · sag · mad · sad · pad · dim · dip
Phrase cards
a pig · a tag · a gap · dig in · a tan tag · sad pig
Sentence cards
A pig.
Pat a pig.
I dig.
A tag.
Dad and a pig.
Pictures to source pig · pink cartoon pig gap · two cliffs with a gap between gas · gas station pump dig · child digging in sand with a shovel tag · price tag hanging from a shirt gag · silly comedy mask
New heart words this lesson and
Mandarin L1 note · Like /d/, Mandarin doesn't voice initial /g/. Learners will produce English /g/ as English /k/. Throat-buzz test. Mandarin g (as in gē 哥) is actually closer to English /k/.
Lesson 14 — o /ŏ/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o
o (short o, "octopus" sound)
Articulation · Mouth open wide, lips rounded slightly. Tongue low and back. Voice ON. Short.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
on · pot · top · dot · got · mom · pop · mop · sod · nod · dog · god · tot
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
on · pot · top · dot · got · mom · pop · mop · sod · nod · dog · god · pig · gig · gas
Phrase cards
on top · a pot · pop on · a dog · a mop · mom and dad · sit on
Sentence cards
A dog!
Sit on top.
Mom and Dad.
I got a pot.
A dog sat on a mat.
Pop it.
Pictures to source pot · cooking pot on a stove top · spinning top toy (also "on top" — child on a chair) dog · friendly cartoon dog mop · cleaning mop mom · mother and child illustration pop · soap bubble popping on · object placed on a table (positional)
New heart words this lesson was
Mandarin L1 note · Short /o/ doesn't exist in Mandarin in this exact form. Mandarin o is more rounded and longer. The short /o/ in "pot" is closer to Mandarin ao in some dialects. Mirror work — show the open, slightly-rounded mouth shape.
Lesson 15 — c /k/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c
c (cookie sound — same as k)
Articulation · Same as /k/. Back of tongue touches soft palate, then releases. Voice OFF — no throat buzz. The unvoiced partner of /g/.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
can · cat · cap · cot · cop · cod · cog · tic
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
can · cat · cap · cot · cop · cod · cog · tic · tac · mom · pop · dog · pig
Phrase cards
a cat · a can · a cap · a cot · a cop · cat and dog · a cat on a mat
Sentence cards
A cat.
A cat sat on a mat.
I can pat a cat.
A cop and a cat.
Mom got a cat.
Pictures to source cat · orange tabby cat can · tin can of soup or paint cap · baseball cap cot · small folding cot bed cop · friendly police officer cod · cod fish (or any fish for "cod")
New heart words this lesson of
Mandarin L1 note · Same as /g/ — Mandarin doesn't distinguish voiced/unvoiced initial /k/ vs /g/. Pair these two lessons closely; daily minimal-pair drill: cap/gap · cot/got · cod/god.
Lesson 16 — k /k/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k
k (same sound as c)
Articulation · Same articulation as /c/ — they make the same sound. The convention: c before a, o, u; k before i, e (and y).
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
kid · kit · kin
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
kid · kit · kin · can · cat · cap · cot
Phrase cards
a kid · a kit · a kid and a cat
Sentence cards
A kid.
A kid sat.
Pat a kid.
I am a kid.
Pictures to source kid · cartoon young goat OR a child illustration kit · first-aid kit ink · ink bottle with feather pen
Mandarin L1 note · No transfer issue with /k/ itself. The teachable concept: same sound, two spellings. Cover the "c-before-aou, k-before-ie" rule briefly but don't belabour. Children pick it up by reading.
Lesson 17 — ck /k/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck
ck (the end-of-word "k")
Articulation · Same /k/ sound. Convention: short-vowel words ending in /k/ use ck (back, pick, rock). Use this as the time to teach: every /k/ at the end of a short-vowel CVC word is spelled ck.
a pack · pick a sack · a sick cat · kick a can · a dock
Sentence cards
Pick a sock.
A sick cat.
Kick a can.
Pack a kit.
A pig on a dock.
Pictures to source pack · backpack sock · striped child's sock sick · child in bed with thermometer kick · foot kicking a ball dock · wooden dock at a lake pick · hand picking an apple tack · a thumbtack pinned to a board
Mandarin L1 note · Final /k/ — same Mandarin transfer problem as final /t/. Use tissue test. Note: ck represents ONE sound, not two. Children often want to say "kuh-kuh." Trace the two letters with one finger sweep saying /k/ once.
Lesson 18 — e /ĕ/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e
e (short e, "egg" sound)
Articulation · Mouth slightly open, jaw dropped a little. Tongue mid-front. Voice ON. Short. Halfway between /ĭ/ (it) and /ă/ (at).
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
get · pet · set · net · met · den · pen · ten · men · peck · neck · deck
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
get · pet · set · net · met · den · pen · ten · men · peck · neck · deck · pick · pack · sick
Phrase cards
a pet · get it · a pen · ten men · set it · a deck · a neck · pet a cat
Sentence cards
Get a pen.
I met a pet.
Set a pet on a mat.
Ten men.
Pet a dog.
A pen and a pad.
Pictures to source pet · child cuddling a kitten pen · ballpoint pen net · butterfly net OR sports net ten · ten fingers held up / number 10 men · three men cartoon peck · chicken pecking the ground neck · giraffe's long neck
New heart words this lesson he, she
Mandarin L1 note · Mandarin lacks /ĕ/. Learners substitute /ĭ/ — "get" becomes "git," "men" becomes "min." This vowel needs daily contrast drill with /ĭ/: pet/pit · pen/pin · ten/tin · men/min · bed/bid · set/sit. The mirror helps — show the slightly lower jaw position for /ĕ/.
Lesson 19 — u /ŭ/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e, u
u (short u, "umbrella" sound)
Articulation · Mouth relaxed, slightly open. Tongue mid-back. Voice ON. Short. This is the schwa-like sound in English unstressed syllables, but here in stressed position.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
up · us · cup · cut · mud · sun · gum · tug · pup · duck · tuck · puck · muck
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
up · us · cup · cut · mud · sun · gum · tug · pup · duck · tuck · puck · muck
Phrase cards
a cup · a pup · cut up · a duck · mud on a pup · tuck in
Sentence cards
A cup.
A pup in mud.
Cut it up.
A duck on a dock.
A pup in the sun.
Pictures to source cup · a coffee cup or teacup pup · puppy cut · scissors cutting paper mud · muddy puddle sun · simple yellow sun duck · cartoon duck bug · cute cartoon insect up · arrow pointing up
New heart words this lesson me, we, be
Mandarin L1 note · Mandarin doesn't have /ŭ/. Learners substitute either Mandarin a (open ah) or English /əː/ (the longer "uh" in turn). The short /ŭ/ in "cup" is brief and relaxed. Mirror work: jaw drops slightly, no lip rounding. Contrast drill: cup/cop · cut/cot · mud/mod.
Lesson 20 — r /r/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r
r (running engine sound)
Articulation · Tongue tip curls back (or stays flat with sides raised — both work). Lips slightly rounded. Voice ON. Long. The hardest English consonant for Mandarin L1.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
run · rug · rip · red · rat · rock · rim · ram · rod
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
run · rug · rip · red · rat · rock · rim · ram · rod
Phrase cards
a rat · a rug · red rug · run up · a rock · rip it
Sentence cards
A rat ran.
Run up!
A red rug.
A rock and a rat.
I can run.
Pictures to source rat · cartoon mouse/rat rug · patterned rug on a floor run · child running red · red colour swatch rock · grey rock or boulder rim · wheel rim or basketball hoop rim
New heart words this lesson you, are
Mandarin L1 note · The hardest sound. Real Mandarin transfer problem. Mandarin r (as in rè 热) is a retroflex fricative — totally different from English /r/. Speakers will produce English /r/ as either Mandarin r (close to English /ʒ/), or as /l/. Daily R/L minimal-pair drill is essential: red/led · right/light · rake/lake · road/load · rip/lip · rock/lock. Mirror work — show lip rounding and tongue retraction. Accept slow progress; this sound takes months.
Lesson 21 — h /h/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r, h
h (panting dog sound)
Articulation · Mouth open, tongue and lips in position for the following vowel. Air just breathes out through an open throat. Voice OFF. Short — like a quiet sigh.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
hat · had · has · him · hip · hit · hop · hot · hen · ham · hut · hum
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
hat · had · has · him · hip · hit · hop · hot · hen · ham · hut · hum
Phrase cards
a hat · a hen · hot ham · hop up · hit it · his cat
Sentence cards
A hen on a hat.
Hop up!
Hot ham.
Hit it.
A cat had a hat.
I am here.
Pictures to source hat · sun hat or top hat hen · mother hen ham · slice of ham hop · child or rabbit hopping hot · thermometer with red bar / steaming food hut · small wooden hut
New heart words this lesson here, have
Mandarin L1 note · /h/ exists in Mandarin (hão 好) but is more guttural — the friction is in the throat. English /h/ is gentler, more like breathing. No major issue. Use this lesson as a confidence break after the r-rollercoaster.
Lesson 22 — b /b/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r, h, b
b (boat sound)
Articulation · Both lips press together, then pop apart. Voice ON. Throat buzz. The voiced partner of /p/. Test: hand on throat — /p/ no buzz, /b/ buzz.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
bat · bad · bag · big · bin · bit · bun · bus · bed · beg · ban · bib · bog
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
bat · bad · bag · big · bin · bit · bun · bus · bed · beg · ban · bog
Phrase cards
a big bat · a red bed · a bag and a bin · a bus · a bad bug
Sentence cards
A big bus.
A bad bug.
I had a bag.
A red bed.
A bun and ham.
Beg him.
Pictures to source bat · baseball bat or cave bat bag · shopping bag big · small object vs big object comparison bin · rubbish bin bus · yellow school bus bed · made bed bun · hamburger bun or hair bun
New heart words this lesson said
Mandarin L1 note · Mandarin /b/ is unvoiced (like English /p/ but unaspirated). Learners will produce English /b/ as English /p/. Daily contrast: bat/pat · bag/pack (use the throat-buzz test).
Lesson 23 — f /f/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r, h, b, f
f (angry cat sound)
Articulation · Upper teeth touch lower lip. Air hisses through. Voice OFF. Long — say "fffff" and hold.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
fan · fat · fit · fin · fig · fog · fun · fed · fib
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
fan · fat · fit · fin · fig · fog · fun · fed · fib
Phrase cards
a fan · fit in · a fat cat · fun run · a fog
Sentence cards
A fat cat.
A fan on a mat.
Fun!
A fin and a fig.
I had fun.
Pictures to source fan · electric fan fat · plump cartoon character fin · fish fin / dolphin fin fig · purple fig fruit fog · foggy landscape fun · children playing
New heart words this lesson for
Mandarin L1 note · /f/ exists in Mandarin and transfers cleanly. No major issue. Mandarin f in fà 发 is the same.
Lesson 24 — l /l/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r, h, b, f, l
l (singing lah sound)
Articulation · Tongue tip touches the ridge behind upper teeth. Air flows around the SIDES of the tongue (not over the top, like /t/). Voice ON. Long. The clearest contrast to /r/ — for /l/ the tongue tip TOUCHES the roof of the mouth, for /r/ it does NOT.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
lap · led · leg · let · lid · lip · lit · log · lot · lab · lag · lick
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
lap · led · leg · let · lid · lip · lit · log · lot · lab · lag · lick
Phrase cards
a lap · a leg · lit up · a log · a lot · lick it
Sentence cards
Sit on a lap.
A lot of fun.
A log in a fog.
A red lid.
A lab.
Lick a lid.
Pictures to source lap · child sitting on parent's lap leg · human leg or table leg lip · close-up of lips log · wooden log lid · jar lid lick · child licking an ice cream
New heart words this lesson there, where
Mandarin L1 note · /l/ exists in Mandarin and is generally fine. But the /l/-/r/ confusion runs both ways — speakers will sometimes produce /l/ for /r/ AND /r/ for /l/. Continue daily contrast drill. The tongue-tip-touches vs tongue-tip-curls distinction is the key.
Lesson 25 — j /j/ (the "judge" sound) letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r, h, b, f, l, j
j (jumping sound)
Articulation · Tongue tip near the ridge behind upper teeth, then releases with friction. Lips slightly rounded. Voice ON. The voiced partner of /ch/.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
jam · jar · jab · jet · jig · job · jog · jot · jut
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
jam · jar · jab · jet · jig · job · jog · jot · jut
Phrase cards
a jet · a job · jam in a jar · a jog
Sentence cards
Jam in a jar.
A red jet.
I had a job.
Jog up.
A pig had jam.
Pictures to source jam · jar of strawberry jam jar · glass jar jet · fighter jet or passenger jet job · workman or chef jog · person jogging
New heart words this lesson do, does
Mandarin L1 note · Mandarin lacks /ʤ/ (the j-sound). The closest Mandarin sound is zh (as in zhĭ 知) which is retroflex — different. Speakers will substitute /z/ or Mandarin zh. Mirror work: show the tongue position. Also: English j sometimes sounds like Mandarin j in jiā 家 which is actually a different sound (/dʑ/ vs /ʤ/) — clarify these are not the same.
Lesson 26 — v /v/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r, h, b, f, l, j, v
v (vacuum sound)
Articulation · Upper teeth touch lower lip (like /f/). But voice is ON — throat buzz. Long — say "vvvvv." The voiced partner of /f/.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
van · vat · vet · vim
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
van · vat · vet · vim
Phrase cards
a van · a red van · a vet
Sentence cards
A van.
A vet had a cat.
I had a red van.
A vet and a pig.
Pictures to source van · delivery van vet · veterinarian with an animal vat · large vat or barrel
New heart words this lesson your
Mandarin L1 note · Mandarin lacks /v/ entirely. Speakers substitute /w/ or /b/. "Van" becomes "wan" or "ban." Daily contrast drill: van/wan · vat/wat · vest/west · vest/best. Mirror work: show the teeth-on-lip position explicitly.
Lesson 27 — w /w/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r, h, b, f, l, j, v, w
w (windy sound)
Articulation · Lips rounded tight (like blowing out a candle). Then they relax open as you say the following vowel. Voice ON.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
wag · web · wed · wet · win · wig · wit
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
wag · web · wed · wet · win · wig · wit
Phrase cards
a web · wet mop · win it · a wet pup
Sentence cards
A web on a log.
Win it!
A wet pup.
A wig on a hat.
Pictures to source web · spider web wet · water dripping wig · wig on a stand win · gold medal / trophy wag · dog wagging tail
New heart words this lesson what, want
Mandarin L1 note · /w/ exists in Mandarin (wǒ 我) and transfers reasonably. The main confusion is /v/-/w/ (see lesson 26). Keep daily drill.
Lesson 28 — x /ks/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r, h, b, f, l, j, v, w, x
x (the box sound — two sounds together)
Articulation · X is unusual — it represents two sounds blended: /k/ + /s/. Try saying "box" slowly: "bo-k-s." Always at the end of a word in this Phase.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
box · fox · mix · fix · six · wax · tax
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
box · fox · mix · fix · six · wax · tax
Phrase cards
a box · a red fox · mix it · six fox · a tax
Sentence cards
A fox in a box.
Mix it up.
Six pups.
I can fix it.
Pictures to source box · cardboard box fox · red fox cartoon mix · mixing bowl with eggs fix · screwdriver and screw six · number 6 / six items wax · candle wax / sealing wax
New heart words this lesson one
Mandarin L1 note · Mandarin doesn't have this /ks/ blend. Speakers will simplify to /s/ — "box" becomes "bos." Practice slowly with the two-sound breakdown: "bo-k-s, box."
Lesson 29 — y /y/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r, h, b, f, l, j, v, w, x, y
y (yellow sound)
Articulation · Tongue front-high (close to /ī/ or /ē/). Lips spread slightly. Then glide into the following vowel. Voice ON.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
yam · yet · yes · yum · yip
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
yam · yet · yes · yum · yip
Phrase cards
a yam · yum yum · yes! · yet
Sentence cards
Yum, a yam!
Yes, a red fox.
I yet had a cat.
A yip from a pup.
Pictures to source yam · orange yam / sweet potato yes · thumbs up yum · child smiling at food
New heart words this lesson two
Mandarin L1 note · /y/ in Mandarin (yào 要) is the same sound. Transfers cleanly. The issue is more about y being used at start of words — Mandarin uses y as a prefix to all i-starting syllables in pinyin, so the convention is familiar.
Lesson 30 — z /z/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r, h, b, f, l, j, v, w, x, y, z
z (buzzing bee sound)
Articulation · Same tongue position as /s/. But voice ON — long buzz. The voiced partner of /s/. Test: hand on throat — /s/ no buzz, /z/ buzz.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
zip · zap · zag
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
zip · zap · zag
Phrase cards
zip up · zip it · zip and zap
Sentence cards
Zip it up.
Zip!
Zap a bug.
Pictures to source zip · zipper on a jacket zap · lightning bolt
New heart words this lesson this
Mandarin L1 note · Mandarin lacks /z/ as English speakers know it. Mandarin has z (as in zài 在) which is actually closer to /ts/. Speakers will substitute /s/ for /z/ — "zip" becomes "sip." Daily contrast: zip/sip · zap/sap · zoo/sue.
Lesson 31 — qu /kw/ letter pool: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r, h, b, f, l, j, v, w, x, y, z, qu
qu (the queen sound — two sounds)
Articulation · Q and u always stick together in English. Together they say /kw/ — like /k/ + /w/ blended. The lips round even as the /k/ is forming.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
quit · quip · quiz
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
quit · quip · quiz
Phrase cards
a quiz · quit it
Sentence cards
I quit.
A quiz.
Quit it!
Pictures to source quiz · quiz / question mark / test quit · stop sign / hand raised "stop"
New heart words this lesson they
Mandarin L1 note · Mandarin has /kw/ (as in kuài 快). Transfers cleanly. Just establish the spelling convention: q is ALWAYS followed by u in English.
Articulation · No new sound. Today is consolidation. Pull words from the past 28 lessons and re-read them mixed.
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
pick · cup · rug · pen · jet · yam · log · hat · sock
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
hat · cup · rug · pen · fix · six · jet · web · log · yam · sock · pick
Phrase cards
a red hat · a wet pup · a hot ham · six men · a fat cat
Sentence cards
A wet pup sat on a red rug.
Six men had a big bus.
A fat cat sat in a box.
I had a hot ham and a bun.
Pictures to source review · pull pictures from prior lessons; no new vocab
Mandarin L1 note · Pure consolidation. Identify the 2-3 children struggling most and run them through extra word lists. Identify the 2-3 children flying ahead — do not advance them yet, use this time for deepening (writing on chalkboards, story-paper booklets).
Articulation · Continue review. Focus on words with the trickier vowels (e, u, i) and consonant pairs (b/p, d/t, c/k/g).
Spelling words (encoding — movable alphabet)
neck · ten · kick · cut · cup · mud · red · pig · web · fan
Reading words (decoding — word cards)
neck · rock · duck · sock · pick · kick · bug · cup · hut · fun · gum · mud · sun
Phrase cards
a duck on a rock · a red sock · kick a rock · fun in mud
Sentence cards
A duck on a rock.
I kick a rock.
Fun in the mud.
Six pups in a hut.
A red bug on a web.
Pictures to source — · rotate prior lesson pictures
Mandarin L1 note · Vowel discrimination is the bottleneck for most Mandarin L1 learners. Today is the day to make a chart on the wall: A says /ă/ (apple), E says /ĕ/ (egg), I says /ĭ/ (ink), O says /ŏ/ (octopus), U says /ŭ/ (umbrella). Picture-anchored.
Articulation · Phase 1 closing. By now every child should be able to: blend a CVC word from sounds (see-i-t → sit), segment a CVC word into sounds (sit → s-i-t), and write a dictated CVC word.
a quack · a duck quack · a red fox in a box · a quick pup
Sentence cards
A duck can quack.
I had a red fox in a box.
A wet pup ran on a rug.
Six men sat in a van.
The cat had a hat.
Pictures to source Phase 1 wall display · on a wall: each letter with a small keyword picture — for end-of-phase celebration
New heart words this lesson that, with, from, would
Mandarin L1 note · Phase 1 close ceremony: each child draws a chalkboard picture of their favourite word from Phase 1. Photograph (with parent permission) for the term report. They have just learned the alphabet for English. That's real progress for any child; for a Mandarin-L1 child it's exceptional.
Phase 2 is consolidation. No new letters. Every CVC word built so far is now drilled to automaticity, one vowel at a time. The FLSZ doubling rule closes the phase — a small but reliable spelling rule the children will use for life.
Lesson 35 — short A — deep dive
The rule · Today is one vowel only. Pull every CVC word with short /ă/ from Phase 1. The point: build automaticity. Children should read these without sounding out.
Words
cat · hat · mat · bat · rat · fat · man · ran · fan · pan · tan · van · jam · ham · cap · lap · map · tap · gas · bag · rag · tag · wag · pad · sad · mad · bad · had · jab · lab · tab · wax · tax · pack · sack · back · rack · tack · jack
Phrase cards
a fat cat · a sad man · a tan bag · a big bat · a tan pack
Sentence cards
A fat cat sat on a mat.
A sad man had a tan bag.
I can pack a sack.
A rat ran up the rag.
The man had a hat and a fan.
Mandarin L1 note · Short /ă/ remains the hardest vowel. Today is the dedicated drill. Daily mirror work.
Lesson 36 — short I — deep dive
The rule · Same idea, but with short /ĭ/.
Words
sit · pit · fit · hit · kit · bit · lit · pin · tin · win · fin · bin · kin · sip · tip · rip · hip · lip · dip · mix · fix · six · fig · pig · big · dig · gig · rim · him · dim · pick · kick · tick · sick · lick
Phrase cards
a big pig · a sick kid · six pigs · pick it up · a big lip
Sentence cards
A big pig sat in the mud.
Six pigs in a pit.
I will pick a fig.
Hit a tin can.
A sick kid in a bed.
Mandarin L1 note · Short /ĭ/ vs long /ē/ contrast is the daily drill. sit/seat · pit/Pete · sip/seep.
Lesson 37 — short O — deep dive
The rule · Same idea, short /ŏ/.
Words
top · pot · dot · hot · lot · cot · got · not · rot · fox · box · mop · pop · hop · cop · cob · job · rob · sob · mob · log · fog · dog · hog · jog · bog · cog · lock · rock · sock · dock · mock
Phrase cards
a hot dog · a fox in a box · a rock on a log · a wet mop · a top on a cot
Sentence cards
A hot dog on a pot.
A red fox in a box.
The dog had a sock.
I got a top.
A rock on top of a log.
Mandarin L1 note · Short /ŏ/ vs short /ŭ/ contrast: cot/cut · pot/putt · hop/hup · rock/ruck.
Lesson 38 — short E — deep dive
The rule · Short /ĕ/. Often the LAST CVC vowel children master.
Words
bed · red · fed · led · wed · leg · beg · peg · pen · ten · men · den · hen · pet · net · wet · get · met · set · jet · let · bet · web · neck · deck · peck
Phrase cards
a red pen · ten men · a wet net · a hen in a den · a fed pet
Sentence cards
A red pen on a desk.
Ten men met a hen.
I fed my pet.
A wet net on a peg.
A hen on a deck.
Mandarin L1 note · Short /ĕ/ vs short /ĭ/ — the most stubborn Mandarin minimal pair. pet/pit · ten/tin · pen/pin · bed/bid · met/mit · led/lid. Run it daily.
Lesson 39 — short U — deep dive
The rule · Short /ŭ/.
Words
cup · pup · up · cut · but · gut · hut · nut · jut · mud · bud · cub · rub · tub · pub · sub · hub · bug · jug · mug · rug · tug · hug · dug · fun · sun · run · gun · bun · duck · tuck · luck · muck · puck
Phrase cards
a wet duck · a fun run · a cup of mud · a hug from mom · a pup in a tub
Sentence cards
A wet duck in a tub.
I had fun in the sun.
A pup in mud.
Hug a bug? No!
Six cups on a rug.
Mandarin L1 note · Short /ŭ/ vs short /ŏ/ — cot/cut · hot/hut · pot/putt · log/lug.
The rule · The most important lesson in Phase 2 for Mandarin L1 children. Don't skip. Today is a structured minimal-pair drill across ALL five short vowels.
cat or cot? · pan or pen? · man or men? · cap or cup?
Sentence cards
Is it a cat or a cot?
Is it a pan or a pen?
I have a cat. I have a cot.
Six men. Six man? No, six men.
Mandarin L1 note · Run this lesson the same way as the ESL minimal-pair drill described in Material 13 of the Making Guide. Three rounds: listen-and-point, speak-and-let-teacher-point, mirror reinforcement. 15 minutes. Plan to do this same lesson again at least twice a year.
Lesson 41 — FLSZ doubling rule
The rule · After a short vowel at the end of a one-syllable word, the letters F, L, S, and Z are DOUBLED: stuff, doll, miss, buzz. (Not for other consonants — sat, big, fun.)
Words
puff · huff · cuff · off · doll · bell · fell · sell · tell · well · will · fill · hill · kill · mill · pill · pass · kiss · miss · less · mess · fuss · buzz · fizz · jazz
Phrase cards
a doll on a hill · a big bell · I miss it · a buzz from a bee
Sentence cards
A doll on a hill.
I miss my mom.
A bell on a bus.
A buzz from a fly.
A big mess on a desk.
Mandarin L1 note · The rule is reliable — taught it once, children apply it. The mnemonic: "after a single short vowel, the floss letters double up." (FLSS — floss.)
Phase 3 — Digraphs and Blends (Lessons 42-53)
Phase 3 introduces multi-letter patterns. Digraphs (two letters, one sound) come first: sh, ch, th, wh. Then ending blends (-st, -nd, -nk). Then beginning blends (sl-, bl-, tr-). Then triple blends (str-, spl-, thr-). By the end of Phase 3 a child can decode most one-syllable English phonetic words.
Lesson 42 — SH digraph
/sh/
The rule · Two letters, ONE sound. S+H together make /sh/ — never /s/ + /h/. Show them: a finger on the lips like "shhh, quiet."
a fish in a dish · a shop on a ship · shut the shed · a wish
Sentence cards
A fish in a dish.
A ship in the shop.
I wish for a fish.
Shut the shed.
A red fish and a wet dish.
New heart words this lesson over
Mandarin L1 note · Mandarin /sh/ (as in shī 师) is retroflex — similar but the tongue curls back more. English /sh/ is forward and flat. Mirror work helps.
Lesson 43 — CH digraph
/ch/
The rule · C+H together make /ch/ — like a sneeze.
Words
chip · chop · chat · check · chick · chess · much · such · rich · inch · lunch · munch · bunch · punch · beach · reach
Phrase cards
a chip and a dish · a chick on a perch · chop chop · a rich man
Sentence cards
A chick in a shop.
I had a chip.
Chat with a kid.
A chess set.
Munch a chip.
Mandarin L1 note · Mandarin has ch (as in chī 吃) which is retroflex /ʨ/ — similar but tongue curls back. English /ch/ /tʃ/ is forward. Most learners do OK.
Lesson 44 — TH digraph (unvoiced — "thin")
/θ/
The rule · T+H together. Tongue tip BETWEEN the teeth (peeking out). Air flows around it. Voice OFF.
a thin path · a thick bath · a moth on a cloth · tenth on a list
Sentence cards
A moth on a cloth.
A thin path.
Math is fun.
Thump on a bath.
A thick fish.
New heart words this lesson any, many
Mandarin L1 note · The hardest English consonant for Mandarin L1. Mandarin has NO /θ/ — speakers substitute /s/ or /t/. "Thin" becomes "sin" or "tin." Daily mirror work is mandatory. Tongue tip BETWEEN the teeth, visible. Air flows past it. Tissue test: hold tissue in front, say "thin" — tissue should flutter without the tongue retracting. Months of patience.
Lesson 45 — WH digraph
/w/ (or /hw/ in some dialects)
The rule · W+H together. In American English usually just /w/ (whip = wip). In some British/Southern dialects, /hw/. Teach /w/.
Words
when · whip · whim · whiz · whisk · wheel
Phrase cards
when? · a whip · a quick whim
Sentence cards
When?
A whisk in a dish.
When is the bus?
I had a whim.
Mandarin L1 note · Same /w/ as already known. The lesson is about the spelling convention — question words mostly start with WH (when, what, where, why, who).
Lesson 46 — TH digraph (voiced — "this")
/ð/
The rule · Same tongue position as voiceless TH (between teeth) but with VOICE ON. Throat buzz. Compare: "thin" (no buzz) vs "this" (buzz).
Words
this · that · them · then · they · with · than
Phrase cards
this man · that hat · with mom · then go
Sentence cards
This is my mom.
That is a fish.
I go with them.
I had this and that.
Mandarin L1 note · Same /θ/ problem from L44, plus voicing. Compare: thin/this · math/with. Most Mandarin L1 children master voiceless TH first, voiced TH a few months later.
Lesson 47 — Ending blends — st, nd, mp
two-consonant clusters at end
The rule · Two consonants together, each keeping its own sound. "st" = /s/+/t/, never blended. Say each sound, then quickly together.
Words
fast · last · mast · past · list · mist · fist · must · just · rust · and · band · hand · land · sand · wind · bend · end · mend · send · fond · pond · camp · lamp · ramp · damp · jump · pump · dump · lump · stamp
Phrase cards
a fast bus · a damp hand · a fond pup · land in sand · jump up
Sentence cards
A fast bus.
I jump up.
A damp hand.
A list of pups.
A bend in a path.
New heart words this lesson come, some
Mandarin L1 note · The Mandarin L1 wall. Mandarin has NO consonant clusters at all. Speakers will break up the cluster ("fa-sa-t" for "fast") or drop one consonant ("fas" or "fat"). The trick: say each consonant separately, then quickly together, then as one motion. Mouth-shape continuity is the key — the lips/tongue should not reset between consonants. Months of practice.
Lesson 48 — Ending blends — nk, nt, lt
The rule · Continue ending blends. Note: the /n/ in -nk often nasalises (think "thin-k" with the n disappearing into a nasal vowel) — but write the n.
Words
bank · tank · rank · sank · pink · sink · wink · link · thank · think · sunk · junk · punk · bunk · ant · rent · tent · sent · went · hunt · punt · belt · melt · felt · wilt · tilt · jolt · bolt
Phrase cards
a pink tank · I went to a tent · a belt on a hunt · a bunk in a tent
Sentence cards
A pink tent.
I went to a bank.
A belt on a desk.
A jolt in a bunk.
Mandarin L1 note · Same cluster issue. Note that English -nk is one of the easier clusters because the /n/ partially disappears into the vowel.
a slim cat · a snap · spot a snail · a step stack · swim fast
Sentence cards
I slip on a step.
A spot on a sled.
Stop! A snap!
Spin a top.
I swim fast.
Mandarin L1 note · S-blends are the hardest for Mandarin L1 because there's extra friction time on the /s/. Practice slowly with the /s/ extended: "ssss-lip" → "s-lip" → "slip."
Lesson 50 — Beginning blends — bl, cl, fl, gl, pl
l-blends
The rule · L-blends. Tongue goes from the stop position straight to the /l/ position.
Words
black · block · blank · blink · clap · clip · clock · clad · club · flag · flat · flip · flap · flock · glad · gland · glum · plan · plot · plus · plump
Phrase cards
a black flag · flat plus thin · a glad plan · a clock that blinks · plump and round
Sentence cards
A black clock on a flat desk.
I am glad.
A flag on a flag pole.
A flat plan.
New heart words this lesson who, don’t
Mandarin L1 note · L-blends are tricky for Mandarin learners because of the /l/-/r/ confusion. Children may produce "black" as "brack."
The rule · R-blends. The hardest blends for Mandarin learners because of the /r/.
Words
brick · bring · brand · crab · crash · crisp · drum · drip · drop · frog · fresh · from · grab · grass · grin · green · pram · press · prim · tram · trip · trash · trick · trim
Phrase cards
a green frog · a fresh drink · trim grass · a brick on a trip
Sentence cards
A green frog on a brick.
I trim the grass.
A crab on a rock.
Drip drop.
A fresh trim.
Mandarin L1 note · Maximum difficulty for Mandarin L1. /r/-blends double the /r/ problem. Slow down. Say the first consonant, then the /r/, then the vowel. Daily R/L drill alongside.
The rule · Three consonants in a row. "Strong, splash, three, shrink." For Mandarin learners this is the boss-level cluster challenge. Phase 1 mastery means each consonant is automatic; here, the three must blend without pause.
a strong strap · a splash from a spring · three sprints · shrubs in a strip
Sentence cards
A strong strap on a bag.
A splash in a spring.
I sprint three steps.
A shrub on a strip of land.
Mandarin L1 note · This is end-of-Pink-Phase territory. Children who can read these confidently are ready for Blue Phase (VCe, multisyllabic words). Children who can't yet — that's fine; spend another few weeks on Phase 3 review. There is no rush. Mandarin L1 learners often need 3-4 months to master triple blends; that's normal.
Heart words — the first-50 schedule
Two to three new heart words per week. Black ink for regular letters, RED ink for irregular ones, small red heart icon below each red letter. Add each new card to the binder ring on Shelf 4 (Reading).
Lesson
New heart words
What's irregular
L8
a
—
L10
I
—
L11
the
th, e
L12
to
o
L14
was
a, s
L15
of
f
L18
he
e
L18
she
e
L19
me
e
L19
we
e
L19
be
e
L20
you
y, o, u
L20
are
a, e
L21
here
e, r, e
L21
have
a, e
L22
said
ai
L23
for
or
L24
there
e, r, e
L24
where
wh, e, r, e
L25
do
o
L25
does
oe
L26
your
our
L27
what
a
L27
want
a
L28
one
one — whole
L29
two
o, w
L30
this
th
L31
they
th, ey
L34
that
th
L34
with
th
L34
from
o
L34
would
oul, d
L42
over
er
L44
any
a, y
L44
many
a, y
L47
come
o, silent e
L47
some
o, silent e
L50
who
wh, o
L50
don’t
apostrophe usage
Picture sourcing — Canva and Google playbook
For every reading word you'll want a matching picture for the picture-word matching set (Material 11K in the Making Guide). The picture should be unambiguous, child-friendly, and consistent in style.
Search prompts that work
Canva — search the noun + "illustration" or "icon" or "kids style." E.g.: cat illustration kids, cup icon flat, fox cartoon child.
Google Images — append "png transparent" or "clipart" if you want isolated objects. E.g.: pan png transparent, net clipart simple.
For abstract words (on, in, at, the article "a") — show the function visually. "on" → a ball on a box. "in" → a cat inside a box. "a" → finger pointing at one object.
Pick ONE visual style (line-drawing, flat illustration, photograph) and stay with it for at least a whole Phase. Mixing styles fragments the child's visual memory.
White or transparent backgrounds always. The picture itself does the work; backgrounds add noise.
Print at 6 × 8 cm minimum. Smaller and the child squints; larger and the cards become unwieldy.
Same picture for the picture-word matching card AND the dictionary/heart-word card (when the word appears). Children learn faster when the same image keeps reappearing.
References
Boyer, N., & Ehri, L. C. (2011). Contribution of phonemic segmentation instruction with letters and articulation pictures to word reading and spelling in beginners. Scientific Studies of Reading, 15(5), 440-470.
Ehri, L. C. (2009). Learning to read words: Theory, findings, and issues. Scientific Studies of Reading, 9(2), 167-188.
Gough, P. B., & Tunmer, W. E. (1986). Decoding, reading, and reading disability. Remedial and Special Education, 7(1), 6-10.
Lane, H. B., et al. (2025). Effect of an Instructional Program in Foundational Reading Skills on Early Literacy Development of Students in Kindergarten and First Grade. Reading Research Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.607
National Reading Panel (2000). Teaching children to read: An evidence-based assessment of the scientific research literature on reading and its implications for reading instruction.
Kou, J.-W., et al. (2024). Neural substrates of L2-L1 transfer effects on phonological awareness in young Chinese-English bilingual children. NeuroImage.
University of Florida Literacy Institute (2024). UFLI Foundations Scope and Sequence. ufli.education.ufl.edu/foundations/
Pink Phase complete. Blue Phase (VCe, multisyllabic, R-controlled — lessons 54-83) and Green Phase (vowel teams, suffixes, prefixes, Greek/Latin roots — lessons 84-128) will be added as separate documents once Pink is in use for a few weeks.