2. When to Teach '-tch' 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 notice that in the Reading Universe continuum, the '-tch' spelling rule is introduced after digraphs and blends. Students need to understand digraphs to recognize the /ch/ sound. Learning digraphs and blends will also open up many more words ending with '-tch'.

The '-ck' and FLoSS(Z) spelling rules also come before '-tch' in the continuum. These rules are more consistent and typically easier for students to apply in their spelling than '-tch'. Learning '-tch' later on in the phonics continuum ensures students have had ample practice making less complex spelling decisions and that they can decode short vowel, one-syllable words.

Grade Level

Students generally learn the '-tch' spelling rule starting in first grade. We continue to review the '-tch' rule as students progress through the grades.

Prerequisite Skills

Before teaching the '-tch' 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
• Know that the /ch/ sound can be spelled with the digraph 'ch'
• Understand the terms immediately, following, before, and after