The error: Asking students to define "fern" or "velvet." The fix: Resource List 5.3 is for decoding practice, not vocabulary development. The words are chosen for their phonetic regularity, not their meaning. If a student doesn’t know what "fern" means, briefly tell them, then return to decoding.
LETRS is a professional development program designed to provide teachers with a deep understanding of the science of reading and how to effectively teach reading and spelling. The program includes various modules and resources, often compiled into a manual.
While the exact words may vary slightly between LETRS editions (3rd vs. 4th), the organizational logic remains universal. Resource List 5.3 is usually divided into columns or sections representing the following phonics phases: resource list 5.3 of the letrs manual
Note: In some LETRS editions, List 5.3 also includes a column for "Phonetically Irregular Words" (high-frequency heart words) to contrast with the regular words.
Standard reading lists (like Dolch or Fry) mix regular and irregular words. A child can read "the" (irregular) and "cat" (regular) on the same list, making it hard to diagnose where decoding breaks down. List 5.3 isolates regular patterns so you can see if a child truly understands the alphabetic principle. The error: Asking students to define "fern" or "velvet
As you work with Resource List 5.3, you may encounter confusion. Let’s clear up the top three myths:
Myth 1: "Resource 5.3 is just for Kindergarten." Reality: False. While K-1 teachers use the CVC and blends sections, List 5.3 extends into morphology (prefixes/suffixes) suitable for 3rd grade and intervention for 5th grade. Look for the advanced word list at the bottom of the resource for older struggling readers. LETRS is a professional development program designed to
Myth 2: "I need to buy the books listed on Resource 5.3." Reality: The resource lists text sets (e.g., Phonics from A to Z by Wiley Blevins). These are optional deep-dives for coaches. The core of List 5.3 is the word bank and the template—you don't need to buy anything else.
Myth 3: "If I use this list, I don't need decodable texts." Reality: Dangerous fallacy. List 5.3 is for phonics proficiency (word level). Decodable texts are for phonics application (sentence/paragraph level). You need both. Use 5.3 for the first 5 minutes of guided reading, then move to a decodable reader that features those same words.