It's All About the Sounds!

by Deirdre Tarpey (Author), Beth Braganca Bell (Illustrator), Heather Ballantine (Introduction)

From Root Literacy Design - A Science of Reading Read-Aloud Adventure! Join Finn and Taylor on a journey to master spelling the Initial /k/ Sound. Through a fun narrative, students learn exactly when to use C (before a, o, u) and when to use K (before e, i, y) to spell the sound /k/ before a vowel sound.

Say goodbye to rote memorization and Monday morning memory loss. It’s All About the Sounds! Spelling Adventures with Finn transforms abstract spelling rules into an engaging story that sticks.

Why Educators, Teachers, & Tutors Love This Book:

• Science of Reading Aligned: Use with a Structured Literacy approach to support any evidence-based foundational literacy curriculum.
• Universal Design Learning Strategy: The letters "C" and "K" appear in blue, and determining vowels are bolded, bringing attention to the components of the spelling rules.

Educational Toolkit:

• Initial /k/ Word Lists
• Instructional Routine with Cognitive Strategies & Graphic Organizers
• Mnemonic Device

Perfect for ages 4–12, homeschooling, reading specialists, MLLs, special educators, and classrooms.

Equip your students with the tools to become confident spellers. Start the spelling adventure today!

Product details

ISBN-13: 979-8998981227

Format: Paperback book 

Pages: 85

Perfect for ages 4-12

Language: English

Publication date: November 25, 2025

Heather Ballantine is a literacy educator and pioneer who is passionate about empowering educators with the evidence-based knowledge and tools they need so all students learn to read and write. She is the Founder & Chief Vision Officer of Root Literacy Design, and currently works part time as a literacy coach at The Compass School in Kingston, Rhode Island. Since 2011, Heather has worked in the field of literacy instruction as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, literacy coach, adjunct professor, and educational consultant. She has a masters in Literacy Education from Roger Williams University, is a certified reading specialist, is a literacy and dyslexia endorsement provider for the Rhode Island Department of Education, and is OGA certified at the Associate Level.

Heather lives in Rhode Island with her husband and their dog and cat. An “Endo Warrior,” Heather is also a fierce advocate for endometriosis awareness.

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