Phonics
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Understanding Rules Around Vowel Pairs and Effective Ways to Teach Them Introduction
Vowel pairs, also called vowel teams, are an important part of learning to read and spell in English. These combinations of two…
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Teaching the Six Syllable Types: Building Blocks for Reading Success
Discover the six syllable types and how to teach them with clear examples, word lists, and research-based strategies. Strengthen decoding, spelling, fluency,…
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Essential Phonics Rules and Their Role in Reading Development
Learn the most important phonics rules, including CVC, silent e, vowel teams, r-controlled vowels, digraphs, and syllable types. Build decoding, fluency, and…
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10 Easy Phonics Ideas for Parents to Use at Home
Helping your child learn to read starts with building phonics skills. Phonics is the connection between letters and sounds. When children understand…
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Why Sounding It Out Works (And How to Support It)
When children are learning to read, one of the most common strategies teachers and parents encourage is sounding out words. But why…
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The Blueprint for Reading: A Guide to Phonics Scope and Sequence
For decades, educational research has sought to understand the most effective ways to teach children how to read. A significant body of…
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Phonemic Awareness vs. Phonics: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters
Understanding the difference between phonemic awareness and phonics is essential for both parents and educators working to build strong, confident readers. Though…
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About Texas Reading Teacher
MaryEllen Gibson – Texas Reading Teacher
MaryEllen Gibson is a dedicated Texas Reading Teacher with a strong foundation in both education and business. She earned her undergraduate degree from California State University Long Beach and received her Teaching Credential from Concordia University Irvine. She also holds an MBA with an emphasis in Marketing and is CLAD certified in California. MaryEllen is ELIC trained, a Reading Academy graduate, Reading by Design certified, Science of Teaching Reading certified, and Gifted and Talented certified through the Texas Education Agency.
With nearly three decades of experience in education, MaryEllen brings not only professional expertise but also a personal passion to her work. As a mother of two daughters—both of whom work in the Texas Senate—she understands the challenges many families face. Her youngest daughter struggled with reading early on, giving MaryEllen firsthand insight into the journey of supporting a child with reading difficulties. Today, she is proud to share that her daughter not only overcame those challenges but is also a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. Hook ’em!
MaryEllen has been married to her husband Steve for 28 years and remains deeply committed to empowering young readers and supporting families through structured literacy and targeted intervention


