2. When to Teach the FLoSS(Z) Spelling Rule

Here's a reminder of where you are on our phonics continuum — what you have taught and what's coming up. This is not the only way to do things, and many programs will teach skills in a different order. That's OK, as long as the students learn all of the skills. 

You'll see that, on our continuum, the FLoSS(Z) spelling rule is introduced after digraphs and blends. Teaching digraphs and blends first allows students to read a greater number of FLoSS(Z) words as they learn the new spelling rule.

The FLoSS(Z) spelling rule is typically introduced in first grade. We continue to review the FLoSS(Z) rule as students progress through the grades.

Before teaching the FLoSS(Z) spelling rule, students need to:

• Be able to discriminate between short and long vowel sounds
• Understand the concept of a syllable
• Be able to read closed-syllable words
• Understand the terms immediately, following, before, and after