Phonetic Word Lists for Student Use (Second Edition) is a supplementary resource for a multisensory approach to reading, writing, and spelling. Complete instructions for using these lists can be found in The Slingerland® Multisensory Approach: A Practical Guide for Teaching Reading, Writing, and Spelling (Fourth Edition) by Beth H. Slingerland. This book contains over 90 lists sorted by area of focus: vowel sound and pattern, letter combinations, affixes, and more. Mixed review lists included for additional student practice.
 
The primary purpose of the Phonetic Word Lists for Student Use is to give students practice in decoding, or "unlocking," phonetic words using a visual approach. These lists are designed for reference, not as a strict, sequential program. Each list introduces visual symbols—letters or letter combinations— that represent specific sounds. By combining these symbols to form words, students develop symbolic language skills through visual perception.
 
The goal of these word lists is to support reading fluency, which is the ability to read text smoothly, accurately, and with expression. Reading fluency is crucial because it bridges word recognition and comprehension, allowing students to read with confidence and focus on understanding rather than merely decoding each word.