Unpacking Our Scope and Sequence

1. Why a Scope and Sequence Matters

A scope and sequence is a plan that outlines the skills and content to be taught in a specific order, ensuring lessons build on one another in a logical, step-by-step progression. This structure is the backbone of any effective phonics program, as it ensures foundational skills are introduced progressively, allowing students to build confidence and fluency as they advance. Without a clear sequence, students may encounter gaps in their learning, making it harder to decode words and progress smoothly.

Importance of using Scope and Sequence in early literacy:

Provides a clear progression roadmap for both teachers and students
Introduces phonics skills in a logical, step-by-step order to enhance retention
Builds student confidence by ensuring mastery of simple concepts before advancing
Supports individual progress by pacing learning at an achievable rate
Grounded in research that promotes strong early literacy development

A well-planned scope and sequence provides the structure needed for effective learning while giving students the confidence to tackle new reading challenges. By following a clear progression, educators can ensure every child builds the skills necessary for long-term reading success.

2. Following a Systematic Synthetic Phonics Approach

SuperLit Readers is built on the Structured Synthetic Phonics (SSP) approach—the most evidence-based method for teaching reading. Unlike other phonics approaches that incorporate whole-language elements, SSP teaches sounds (phonemes) systematically, ensuring students develop a clear understanding of how sounds and letters correspond. This structured method allows for a logical, step-by-step progression that strengthens decoding skills and reading fluency.

Why is Systematic Synthetic Phonics effective?

Direct, explicit instruction – Students are systematically taught letter-sound relationships.
Step-by-step progression – New skills build on previously learned concepts, reinforcing mastery.
Blending and segmenting focus – Students practice reading and spelling simultaneously for stronger phonemic awareness.
Decodable texts for real-world application – High-frequency words are introduced in controlled texts, ensuring meaningful practice.

By embedding SSP principles into every SuperLit Readers book, we provide a structured learning experience that eliminates guesswork. Each book is carefully designed to support skill development at the right pace, setting students up for reading success.

Click the Image to Download the Scope and Sequence (PDF).

3. Breakdown of SuperLit Readers Scope & Sequence

SuperLit Readers’ scope and sequence introduces phonemes systematically, ensuring that foundational skills are mastered before progressing to more complex ones. Each level is structured to reinforce prior learning while introducing new sounds at a manageable pace, allowing for smooth progression and a deeper understanding of phonics. Below is a breakdown of how our scope and sequence aligns with research-backed best practices for literacy development:

Levels 1-2 (Beginner)

Phonemes Introduced:
- Level 1: /s/, /a/, /t/, /p/, /i/, /n/
- Level 2: /d/, /m/, /g/, /o/, /c/, /k/, /ck/, /e/, /u/, /r/
Word Count:
- Level 1: 20-65 words
- Level 2: 65-140 words
Text Mix:
- Level 1: 20 Fiction & 5 Non-Fiction
- Level 2: 20 Fiction & 5 Non-Fiction
Focus: Single-letter sounds, short vowels, and basic CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words.
Skill Development: Students begin to decode basic words, focusing on letter-sound relationships and building confidence in early reading skills.

Levels 3-4 (Growing)

Phonemes Introduced:
- Level 3: /b/, /h/, /j/, /v/, /w/, /x/, /y/, /bb/, /f/, /ff/, /l/, /ll/, /nn/, /ss/, /z/, /zz/
- Level 4: /sh/, /ch/, /th/ (this), /th/ (thing), /qu/, /ng/, /wh/, /ph/, /g/ (gent), /c/ (city), /ve/ (have), /cc/, /dd/, /gg/, /kk/, /mm/, /pp/, /rr/, /tt/
Word Count:
- Level 3: 140-250 words
- Level 4: 250-400 words
Text Mix:
- Level 3: 20 Fiction & 5 Non-Fiction
- Level 4: 15 Fiction & 5 Non-Fiction
Focus: Consonant digraphs, blends, and more complex CVC patterns.
Skill Development: Students encounter longer words and begin to blend more complex sounds, developing fluency in reading more varied words.

Levels 5-6 (Developing)

Phonemes Introduced:
- Level 5: /ai/, /ay/, /ea/, /ee/, /ie/, /igh/, /oa/, /ow/, /ew/, /ue/
- Level 6: /er/, /ir/, /ur/, /oi/, /oy/, /oo/ (look), /oo/ (soon), /ou/, /ar/, /or/
Word Count:
- Level 5: 420-700 words
- Level 6: 700-800 words
Text Mix:
- Level 5: 15 Fiction & 5 Non-Fiction
- Level 6: 10 Fiction & 5 Non-Fiction
Focus: Vowel teams, r-controlled vowels, and diphthongs.
Skill Development: Students read with increasing fluency and work with a range of more advanced spelling patterns, reading longer and more complex texts.

Levels 7-8 (Confident)

Phonemes Introduced:
- Level 7: /a_e/ (name), /e_e/ (these), /i_e/ (hide), /o_e/ (home), /u_e/ (huge), /y/ (silly), /ey/ (key), /i/ (child), /y/ (my), /oe/ (toe), /u/ (super), /u/ (music)
- Level 8: /a/ (bath), /aw/ (jaw), /oor/ (door), /ore/ (store), /ey/ (they), /ea/ (great), /air/ (chair), /are/ (care), /ear/ (bear), /eer/ (steer), /dge/ (bridge), /tch/ (catch)
Word Count:
- Level 7: 810-900 words
- Level 8: 900-1000 words
Text Mix:
- Level 7: 10 Fiction & 5 Non-Fiction
- Level 8: 10 Fiction & 5 Non-Fiction
Focus: Advanced vowel patterns, multisyllabic words, and varied syllabic structures.
Skill Development: Students begin reading increasingly complex texts with multisyllabic words and a broader range of spelling patterns, moving closer to independent reading.

Levels 9-10 (Independent)

Phonemes Introduced:
- Level 9: /ou/, /ui/, /ea/ (bread), /or/ (word), /ear/ (learn), /u/ (put), /oul/ (should), /er/ (sister), /ar/ (solar), /or/ (doctor)
- Level 10: /ge/ (large), /ough/ (fought), /ar/ (warm), /al/ (walk), /ear/ (fear), /o/ (come), /le/ (bottle), /ch/ (echo), /ti/ (station), /se/ (mouse), /ce/ (palace)
Word Count:
- Level 9: 1000-1100 words
- Level 10: 1100-1200 words
Text Mix:
- Level 9: 5 Fiction & 5 Non-Fiction
- Level 10: 5 Fiction & 5 Non-Fiction
Focus: Advanced phonemic awareness, complex digraphs, and higher-level vocabulary.
Skill Development: By Level 10, students are able to decode a wide range of words and phrases fluently, encountering more advanced vocabulary and sentence structures, preparing them for independent reading in more challenging texts.

Each level progressively builds on the last, ensuring that students develop a solid foundation before moving on to more advanced concepts. With this structured progression, SuperLit Readers sets students up for long-term literacy success, from beginner to confident, independent readers.

4. Alignment with School Curriculums

SuperLit Readers is designed to support structured phonics instruction in line with national curriculum standards across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. As governments increasingly emphasise the use of evidence-based literacy approaches, our program ensures that educators have a reliable resource that integrates seamlessly with these expectations. By following a systematic phonics progression, SuperLit Readers helps schools meet key literacy benchmarks while providing students with the essential skills to become confident, capable readers.

Australia

Curriculum alignment: Matches the phonics and word knowledge standards in the Australian Curriculum, ensuring consistency with national literacy goals.
Supports state-based programs: Aligns with initiatives like Victoria’s Phonics Plus, which prioritises systematic synthetic phonics to strengthen early reading skills.
Practical application: Teachers can use SuperLit Readers alongside explicit phonics instruction, reinforcing key skills through controlled, decodable texts that match student ability.

New Zealand

Complements the Ready to Read Phonics Plus series: This government-endorsed program promotes a structured phonics approach, which aligns with the systematic progression used in SuperLit Readers.
Supports foundational literacy strands: Fits within the Literacy & Communication | Te Reo Matatini strands, helping students develop decoding skills in a structured way.
Practical application: Educators can integrate SuperLit Readers into small-group reading sessions, ensuring students receive phonics-based practice that aligns with classroom instruction.

United Kingdom

Follows the Letters and Sounds framework: SuperLit Readers introduces phonemes in a systematic order, mirroring the structured approach recommended in the UK’s phonics guidance.
Meets national phonics screening expectations: Supports the skills assessed in the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check by ensuring students have regular exposure to decodable words and texts.
Practical application: Teachers can use SuperLit Readers alongside phonics schemes approved by the Department for Education, ensuring consistent phonics reinforcement in early years classrooms.

By aligning with these national curriculum standards, SuperLit Readers helps educators implement structured phonics instruction with confidence. This ensures that every child receives a research-backed, systematic reading program that builds essential literacy skills step by step.

5. Using the Scope & Sequence in Classrooms

The scope and sequence provides a clear roadmap, allowing teachers, students, and even parents to easily track a child's progress and understand where they are at any given point in their reading journey. Every SuperLit Readers book follows a structured phonics progression, making it easier for educators to provide targeted, effective reading practice that aligns with each student’s current stage of learning.

How does this benefit teachers?

No guesswork: Books are designed to match student abilities, eliminating the need for additional scaffolding or intervention.
Clear progression: Educators can easily track reading development, ensuring students are progressing at an appropriate pace.
Seamless lesson integration: The books align directly with phonics instruction, reducing planning time and helping teachers focus on providing impactful lessons.

How does this benefit students?

Consistent skill-building: Each book reinforces previously learned phonemes, helping students solidify their understanding as they progress.
Increased confidence: Readers can confidently tackle texts that are perfectly suited to their current level, minimising frustration.
Stronger literacy foundations: Mastery of phonics builds a strong foundation for long-term reading success and fluency.

By using decodable books crafted within a carefully planned scope and sequence, students gain structured, purposeful practice that helps them become fluent, confident readers. SuperLit Readers ensures that each step of the learning journey is supported by research, providing a reliable path to literacy success.

— Happy Reading!

Want to learn more about Phonics or Decodable Readers?

Check out some of latest Blog Articles here:

How We Did It: Building a Phonics Program for Schools

Phonics Made Simple: A Beginner's Guide

Phonics Plus in Victoria: What You Need to Know

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