Phonogram Spelling Folder Set/14

Phonogram folders teach children that most English sounds can be spelled more than one way — through digraphs, trigraphs, and other spelling patterns. For example,the long e sound alone can appear as ee, e-e, ea, ie, or y. This Montessori system organizes 42 color-coded spelling cards and matching decodable booklets into 14 folders by key sound, giving children a sequential, hands-on path to orthographic mapping — the process by which readers store spellings in memory for instant, effortless retrieval.

Developed by Muriel Dwyer, an AMI teacher trainer who worked extensively in English and Swahili, the system adapts Dr. Montessori's original phonetic approach (designed for the purely phonetic Italian language) for use with partially phonetic languages like English. It's regularly incorporated into AMI Montessori programs worldwide and pairs directly with the Phonogram Spelling Dictionary.

How it works:

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.

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.

Matches perfectly with the Phonogram Spelling Dictionary.

What's Included:

The Phonogram Spelling Folder Set/14 includes:

• Choose 14 cloth pouch folders (recommended) or 14 paper envelope folders (economical); folders hold all cards and booklets for the key sound printed on its front
• 42 phonogram cards
• 42 phonogram booklets — choose coil-bound laminated or stapled cardstock (see comparison below)
• Coil-bound version: all 14 folders display in the included shoebox — remove the lid and place it right on the shelf (shoebox not included in stapled cardstock version)

Each booklet (42 in the set; one to match each card):

• Has the spelling variation (e.g., ph) printed in red on the front
• Contains 10 words with the spelling variation isolated in red
• Has the color-coded key sound printed on the back cover for reference
• Coil-bound option: laminated with rounded corners, tightly spiral bound, approx. 1.5"h x 3.75"w
• Stapled option: 32# glossy interior with 100# glossy cardstock cover, saddle-stapled, approx. 1.75"h x 4"w

Phonogram Cards (42 in the set; one to match each booklet):

• Key sound printed in large, bold red letters on the front
• Color-coded key sound printed in small letters on the back for reference
• Laminated with rounded corners
• Card size approx. 3.75"h x 4.25"w

Display Option 1: Cloth Folders (recommended)

• 100% soft cotton with a sturdy stabilizer sewn in for just enough rigidity
• Each pouch screen printed with a single phonogram key sound
• Approx. size 6"h x 7"w

Display Option 2: Envelopes (economical)

• Smooth heavyweight paper (not laminated), felted finish
• Each envelope labeled in bold with its key sound
• Approx. size 5.25"h x 7.5"w

Folder contents by key sound are as follows:

Choose your Booklet Style

We now offer two booklet constructions — both contain the same 10 words per booklet with the target spelling isolated in red, and the same color-coded key sound on the back cover. The only difference is how we make them.

Note: Julia (Maitri Learning's founder) used a hand-made booklet similar to our stapled version in her own classroom for years, with children handling them daily as part of normal Montessori practice.