Excellence in Spelling: The Phonetic Zoo

Level A

The Phonetic Zoo is a phonics based program from the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) that uses auditory input to ensure students absorb and retain the correct spelling; students receive auditory input and spell the word aloud, letter by letter, to help them accurately remember the correct sequence---rather than simply looking at the word as a whole.

Students should take the Placement Test, see the Placem ent PDF above.

to determine the correct starting level. If your student tests as ready for level A, this Level A Starter Set should be purchased; for any subsequent levels, you will only need the audio CDs.

Grade A is designed for grades 3-5.

The Starter Set package includes:

  • 5 audio CDs
  • Lesson Cards with all three levels of spelling words (A, B, and C) and jingles and a Personal Spelling Card to keep track of your student's typical misspellings
  • Zoo Cards that serve as a way to practice jingles or as rewards
  • Downloadable Phonetic Zoo Teacher's Notes PDF file
  • Spelling and the Brain video seminar (link to streaming video)

The Phonetic Zoo is a phonics based program from the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) that uses auditory input to ensure students absorb and retain the correct spelling; students receive auditory input and spell the word aloud, letter by letter, to help them accurately remember the correct sequence---rather than simply looking at the word as a whole.

Level A is designed for grades 3-5. If you've purchased a starter kit for previous levels, only this CD set is required. If this is your first Phonetic Zoo class, the Level A Starter Kit should be purchased instead.

5 CDs (47 lessons) are included.

Level B

The Phonetic Zoo is a phonics based spelling program from the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) that uses auditory input to ensure students absorb and retain words' correct spellings; students receive auditory input and spell the word aloud, letter by letter, to help them accurately remember the correct sequence---rather than simply looking at the word as a whole.

Students should take the Placement Test (see Placement PDF above) to determine the correct starting level.

If your student tests as ready for Level B with out having completed any of the previous levels, this Level B Starter Set should be purchased; if you've purchased a starter kit in the past, only the audio CDs are required.

Grade B is designed for grades 6-8. 47 audio lessons.

The Starter Set package includes:

  • 5 audio CDs
  • Lesson Cards with all three levels of spelling words (A, B, and C) and jingles and a Personal Spelling Card to keep track of your student's typical misspellings
  • Zoo Cards that serve as a way to practice jingles or as rewards
  • Downloadable Phonetic Zoo Teacher's Notes PDF file
  • Spelling and the Brain video seminar (link to streaming video)

The Phonetic Zoo is a phonics based program from the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) that uses auditory input to ensure students absorb and retain the correct spelling; students receive auditory input and spell the word aloud, letter by letter, to help them accurately remember the correct sequence---rather than simply looking at the word as a whole.

Level B is designed for grades 6-8. If you've purchased a starter kit for previous levels, only this CD set is required. If this is your first Phonetic Zoo class, the Level B Starter Kit should be purchased instead.

5 CDs (47 lessons) are included.

Level C

The Phonetic Zoo is a phonics based spelling program from the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) that uses auditory input to ensure students absorb and retain words' correct spellings; students receive auditory input and spell the word aloud, letter by letter, to help them accurately remember the correct sequence---rather than simply looking at the word as a whole.

Students should take the Placement Exam (see above Placement Exam PDF), to determine the correct starting level. If your student tests as ready for Level C without having completed any of the previous levels, this Level C Starter Set should be purchased; if you've purchased a starter kit in the past, only the audio CDs are required.

Grade C is designed for grades 9-12. 47 audio lessons.

The Starter Set package includes:

  • 5 audio CDs
  • Lesson Cards with all three levels of spelling words (A, B, and C) and jingles and a Personal Spelling Card to keep track of your student's typical misspellings
  • Zoo Cards that serve as a way to practice jingles or as rewards
  • Downloadable Phonetic Zoo Teacher's Notes PDF file
  • Spelling and the Brain video seminar (link to streaming video)

The Phonetic Zoo is a phonics based program from the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) that uses auditory input to ensure students absorb and retain the correct spelling; students receive auditory input and spell the word aloud, letter by letter, to help them accurately remember the correct sequence---rather than simply looking at the word as a whole.

Level C is designed for grades 9-12. If you've purchased a starter kit for previous levels, only this CD set is required. If this is your first Phonetic Zoo class, the Level C Starter Kit should be purchased instead.

Six CDs are included.

Available Individually - Covers All Levels

This Phonetic Zoo Budget Pack includes the Phonetic Zoo Lesson Cards, Personal Spelling Cards, and Zoo Cards, which are designed to be used with the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) spelling program.

The Phonetic Zoo Lesson Cards are 8.5" x 5.5" and are organized by lesson (lesson 1, lesson 2, etc.) and contain all three levels of words on each card related to the Level A, B, or C available for the Phonetic Zoo program; students should work through all the words in their level (A, B, or C) before continuing on to the next. Cards have a single punch in the corner for easy threading onto a (not-included) metal ring. These are perfect as a replacement pack or for additional students using the same curriculum. The Personal Spelling Cards are located in with the Lesson Cards (every fith card) and help keep track of the students misspellings.

The Zoo Cards serve not only as a reminder of spelling rules and the animals which correspond with it, but also as a motivational tool for students (since cards can be collected). The front of the Zoo card includes the lesson title and animals whose names illustrate the spelling rule. The rule or jingle that accompanies each lesson is on the back of the card. Cards measure 2.5" x 3.5".

The Teacher's Notes includes links to access downloads, a quick start guide, lesson notes, disscussion notes and word lists.132 pages, spiral-bound.

Please note no audio CDs come with this package.

This kit includes:

  • Phonetic Zoo Lesson Cards with Personal Spelling Cards
  • Zoo Cards
  • Teacher's Notes

This small, spiral-bound book is included with the Phonetic Zoo Starter Set A, B,or C as well as the Phonetic Zoo Budget Package. This book is available separately in case parents need a replacement copy. This book includes an overview of how to use the program (and a quick-start guide), an overview of the research behind The Phonetic Zoo, a history of the blended sight-sound program, and lesson overviews for the Phonetic Zoo lessons; they're organized by lesson number, with the word lists and instructions for Level A, B, and C given together. Final exams for each level are also included. 138 half-size pages. Second Edition, 2016.

This package contains the 8.5" x 5.5" Phonetic Zoo Lesson Cards that accompany Institute for Excellence in Writing's Spelling curriculum. Lesson cards contain all three levels of words on each card; students should work through all the words in their level (A, B, or C) before continuing on to the next. Cards have a single punch in the corner for easy threading onto a (not-included) metal ring. These are perfect as a replacement pack or for additional students using the same curriculum.

This set of personal spelling cards is designed to be used with the Institute for Excellence in Writing's Phonetic Zoo spelling curriculum. A card for each lesson is provided; students can record words they commonly misspell. Hole-punched in corner. 8.5" x 5".

This set of Zoo Cards accompanies Institute for Excellence in Writing's Phonetic Zoo curriculum. The front of the Zoo card includes the lesson title and animals whose names illustrate the spelling rule. On the back of the card is the rule or jingle that accompanies each lesson. The Zoo cards will serve not only as a reminder of the rule and animals which correspond with it, but also as a motivational tool because as your students progress through the lessons, they will see their animal collection grow! Cards measure 2.5" x 3.5".