Orton-Gillingham Red Words Activity: The Red Word Screen

In English, some words follow the rules and are phonetic. Some words only partially follow the rules and are phonetically irregular. A word that is phonetically irregular is called a Red Word. In this video, we briefly explain some key points in how to teach Red Words using a multisensory tool. Below is an outline of the video.

Why Do We Call Them Red Words?

Red Words are so named because, like a stop sign, they require us to pause and pay extra attention. These words don’t always follow the regular phonetic rules of English, making them “rule breakers” that students must analyze before they decode. High frequency words that include phonetic spellings that students may not have learned yet, are also considered Red Words.

The color red symbolizes the need to stop, notice, and learn these exceptions with special focus. Teaching Red Words as a distinct category helps students recognize their unique characteristics and approach them with different strategies.

The Importance of Teaching Red Words

Teaching Red Words is essential because these irregularly spelled words frequently appear in everyday reading and writing. For example, words like said, does, and friend are common in basic texts and conversations, yet their spellings don’t align with standard phonetic patterns. If students are not explicitly taught these words, they may struggle to read fluently and comprehend text.

By helping students analyze Red Words early, educators give them the tools to recognize these exceptions automatically. This reduces cognitive load during reading, enabling students to focus on comprehension instead of decoding every word. Red Words also play a significant role in spelling instruction, equipping learners with the ability to write accurately and confidently.

Red Word Game: The Red Word Screen

1. Use specific tools when learning Red Words, and one of the tools is a Red Word screen.
2. Vocalize Red Words in a sentence with classmates. Furthermore, students also discuss why the Red Word is not phonetic.
3. Write the Red Word on a strip of paper which is laid out on top of the screen.
4. Trace their finger over the letters and say the letter names. The letters will feel “bumpy” which creates a tactile and multisensory experience.
5. “Load and arm tap” words three times, trace in the air three times, and write on the table three times, consequently engaging gross motor movement.

At the end of the process, students write the Red Word eighteen times, and as a result, activate their muscle memory to remember how to spell that word.

Red Words List

Here are some additional Red Words to get you started on the Red Words screen game:

• said
• was
• are
• they
• what
• come
• some
• friend
• does
• been
• give
• their
• where
• could
• Would

Written by Angelina Spiteri-Bender, CDP

Angelina is an Instructor at Brainspring Educator Academy. She is also the director of Brainspring’s Grosse Pointe Learning Center.

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