A Science of Reading–Aligned Tool for Teaching High-Frequency Words with Irregular Spellings

Support readers with our Heart Word Cards — a classroom-ready, research-aligned phonics resource that helps students master high-frequency words that cannot be fully decoded. These cards make “tricky” words easier to teach and easier for students to remember by highlighting the irregular parts they must learn by heart.

Perfect for structured literacy, intervention, small groups, whole-class instruction, and at-home practice — and designed to work with ANY curriculum.

DESCRIPTION

Our Heart Word Cards give educators and families a powerful, easy-to-use tool for teaching high-frequency words with irregular spellings using explicit, Science of Reading–aligned routines. Each card supports orthographic mapping by helping students connect the sounds they hear to the letters they see, and then learn the irregular part “by heart.”

Every set also includes a FREE downloadable Heart Word Workbook with 150 beautifully designed practice pages—an essential resource for independent practice, intervention, and homework.

For additional support, educators can access the step-by-step instructional guide on our website, which walks through the Heart Word routine and provides model teaching scripts.

Students gain clarity.
Teachers gain simplicity.
Confidence grows—one heart word at a time.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

148 Heart Word Cards
Highlights the irregular “heart part” students must learn.

FREE Downloadable Heart Word Workbook
150 printable pages—one per heart word—plus two customizable templates.

Teacher-Friendly Script on Every Card
Provides a consistent routine aligned to orthographic mapping.

Access to the Full Instructional Guide
A detailed routine educators can follow step by step.

FREE Training Video
A one-hour training that explains everything you need to know about how to teach and implement heart words.

Durable, Double-Sided Cardstock
Ready for daily classroom use—no prep needed.

WHAT’S INSIDE THE WORKBOOK (FREE Download Included!)

Your Heart Word Cards come with a FREE 150-page Heart Word Practice Workbook designed to strengthen word recognition and reinforce the full instructional routine. The workbook gives students predictable, meaningful practice that deepens learning and builds confidence.

Each Heart Word Practice Page Includes:

Target Word Display
Shows the heart word with the tricky part clearly highlighted.

Trace & Write Practice
Builds fluency and automatic recall through repeated writing.

Sound-to-Spelling Mapping Box
Helps students identify the parts that can be decoded and the part that must be remembered by heart.

Sentence Writing Line
Encourages application and meaning-based understanding.

Optional Drawing Box
Supports vocabulary growth and comprehension.

Also Included:

• Two Blank Templates for customizing additional heart words

• A Consistent, Predictable Format ideal for classrooms, homework, and intervention

• Designed for Independence — students learn the routine quickly

This workbook alone is a powerful instructional tool — and it’s completely FREE with your card set.

WHY TEACHERS LOVE IT

• Science of Reading aligned

• Works with ANY curriculum

• Reduces guessing and strengthens decoding

• Supports intervention, small groups, tutoring, and home learning

• Multisensory and hands-on

• Instantly usable with the FREE workbook

 

WHO IT’S FOR

• K–2 classrooms

• Students who struggle with high-frequency, irregularly spelled words

• Reading specialists, tutors, and interventionists

• Homeschool families and parents

• Schools wanting consistent, research-aligned routines across classrooms

 

HOW TO USE THEM

• Introduce 2–5 heart words per week during structured literacy lessons.

• Follow the Instructional Guide to decode regular parts and identify the “heart part.”

• Use the FREE workbook pages for daily practice, center work, or homework.

• Reinforce the same routine during reading and writing.

• Integrates seamlessly with ANY curriculum.

 

REVIEWS

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 
“The FREE workbook alone is worth the price. My students love the practice pages. The routine is simple and powerful.”
— Sarah M., First Grade Teacher

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 
“The instructional guide made everything click. I finally feel confident teaching high-frequency words the right way.”
— Jennifer R., Reading Intervention Specialist

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 
“This system works. The cards + workbook + routine changed everything.”
— Madeline P., Elementary Literacy Coach