Explode the Code 2 1/2 2E

Explode the Code 2 1/2 bridges the gap between Books 2 and 3 in this systematic phonics series, providing targeted practice with consonant blends and digraphs. Students work through exercises featuring bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl blends at the beginning of words, plus ch, sh, th, and wh digraphs. The workbook uses the series' signature approach of combining visual decoding with written exercises, helping second and third-grade students solidify their understanding of these essential sound patterns.

Each lesson follows a consistent structure where students identify letter combinations in pictures, complete words by filling in missing blends or digraphs, and read sentences that reinforce the target sounds. The black-and-white illustrations provide clear visual cues without overwhelming the phonetic focus. This half-step book specifically addresses students who have mastered basic consonant-vowel-consonant patterns but need additional practice before tackling more complex phonetic concepts in Book 3.