For students with dyslexia, learning to read isn’t just about recognizing words—it’s about understanding the system behind them. The Alphabetic Principle, which connects spoken sounds (phonemes) to written symbols (graphemes), is the foundation of reading and spelling. However, without explicit, structured instruction, this connection can remain unclear. Sounds In Syllables (SIS) provides a systematic, research-based approach that breaks down the code of written language, giving students the tools they need to succeed through multisensory and structured literacy instruction.
What Is the Alphabetic Code?
At its core, the alphabetic code is the system by which speech sounds (phonemes) are mapped to written symbols (graphemes). English has 44 phonemes but only 26 letters, so multiple letter combinations are needed to represent all the sounds. SIS teaches these relationships in a way that builds strong neural connections, ensuring students can confidently decode and spell words.
How SIS Teaches the Alphabetic Principle
SIS follows the principles of Multisensory Structured Language Education (MSLE), ensuring students see, hear, and physically engage with letter-sound relationships. Here’s how it works:
Phoneme-Grapheme Association: Students learn one sound at a time and connect it to its written form.
Explicit, Sequential Instruction: SIS introduces simpler phoneme-grapheme relationships first before moving to more complex ones. For example:
The phoneme /f/ can be spelled f (fan), ff (cliff), ph (phone), or gh (laugh).
The phoneme /sh/ appears as sh (ship), ch (chef), or ti (nation).
Daily Reviews to Build Automaticity: Through carefully structured visual, auditory, and kinesthetic practice, students master letter-sound connections, reducing guessing and increasing reading fluency.
Why the Alphabetic Principle Matters
For struggling readers, traditional methods may not be enough. The structured, cumulative, and diagnostic approach used in SIS ensures:
Decoding Becomes Second Nature: Instead of guessing, students confidently sound out unfamiliar words.
Spelling Improves: Students apply phoneme-grapheme knowledge, reducing spelling confusion.
Reading Fluency Increases: The ability to recognize and process words quickly leads to stronger comprehension and confidence.
The Path to Reading Success
By focusing on the alphabetic principle, SIS provides students with a clear, structured path to literacy success. With consistent practice and multisensory engagement, reading and spelling become achievable skills rather than frustrating obstacles. If your child is struggling, structured literacy approaches like SIS offer the support and skills they need to thrive.
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