Tricky words are not decodable using phonics alone as they have spellings that do not show grapheme-phoneme correspondence. They are called common exception words.
Monster Phonics
Monster Phonics makes teaching these words easier. See how colour-coding for sound facilitates learning tricky words. Download free Monster Phonics flashcards and PowerPoints. We also recommend that the first 100 words and next 200 high-frequency words are taught to ensure that all children are able to read and spell these words which make up 65% of all printed words. High-frequency word flashcards, PowerPoints, word charts and assessment are available to download as part of the Monster Phonics programme.
Take a free 7 day trial
Child-Centred and Delivers Results
High-Frequency Words to be taught at each Letters & Sounds Phase
Each Phase of Letters and Sounds teaches both tricky words that are not phonetic and decodable words can be sounded out.
Monster Phonics makes learning both tricky and decodable words much easier.
Try our Tricky Word Mats for each of the Letters and Sounds Phases.
Decodable words are also easier to learn and more engaging with Monster Phonics. Try our Letters and Sounds Decodable Word Mats.
Decodable Phase 2 Words
a an at if in it off on can dad had him back and get big got up not mum but put as is his of
Decodable Phase 3 Words
will for that this then them with look see too now down
Decodable Phase 4 Words
went it’s from children just from
Decodable Phase 5 Words
don’t old very I’m by time about house day made make came your here saw
