The Robinson Reading System: A New Approach to Reading Instruction

Many phonics programs organize instruction around spelling rules (such as syllable types or vowel-consonant patterns). The Robinson Reading System flips this model, focusing first on the most common spellings of English as a tool to support reading acquisition first.

This approach offers several advantages:

🔹 Simplifies decoding – Instead of memorizing disconnected spelling rules, students start with the sounds they already know from speech and learn how they appear in text.

🔹 Improves reading fluency – By providing a phonetic support system through the Robinson Code, students can decode complex words more efficiently.

🔹 Bridges the gap between spoken and written language – Many struggling readers can speak fluently but struggle to connect sounds to print. RRS ensures they master sound-symbol relationships before encountering irregular spellings.

🔹 Supports both phonics and sight word recognition – Because the coded words always appear alongside standard English spelling, students incidentally learn high-frequency words while decoding unfamiliar ones.

Want to learn more about this program? Contact us at info@robinsonreading.org

Image: Woman and child look at book together.