Skip to main content

Using Phonics Hero Alongside InitiaLit

Phonics Hero can be used to provide extra practice that aligns with your InitiaLit teaching.

To keep everything in sync, select the Aus. Sounds sequence in Phonics Hero. This matches the order used in InitiaLit most closely.

The table below shows which Phonics Hero level to release as you teach each InitiaLit Lesson. This ensures children only practise sounds they have already been taught. To release levels, use level Pacing; it allows you to control the highest level children can access, preventing them from moving ahead too quickly.


Key terms

  • Aus. Sounds: The Phonics Hero sound sequence that best matches the order used in InitiaLit.
  • Lessons vs Levels: InitiaLit Lessons are what you teach in class. Phonics Hero Levels are the practice activities that reinforce those sounds.
  • Pacing: Controls how far children can progress in Phonics Hero, so they only access content you have already taught.

Before you start

  • You can use Phonics Hero from InitiaLit Lesson 2, once a substantial number of phonemes have been introduced.
  • InitiaLit Lessons not listed (3 & 7) don’t unlock any new levels.

Foundation Content

As you teach each InitiaLit Lesson, Pacing will release the matching Phonics Hero Level below.

InitiaLit Lesson
When you start teaching this lesson
Phonics Hero Level
Pacing will release this level
Lessons 28-39 (p, i, f, r)Level 1
Lessons 52-63 (e, n, g, l)Level 2
Lessons 64-75 (k, u, b, j)Level 3A
Lessons 76-80 (w, ck, ll, ff, ss)Level 3B
Lessons 91-99 (ch, v, x, y)Levels 4 & 5A
Lessons 100-114 (wh, th, oo, ng, ay)Levels 5B – 6A
Lessons 118-120 (CCVC words)Level 6B

InitiaLit-1

InitiaLit Lesson
When you start teaching this lesson
Phonics Hero Level
Pacing will release this level
Lessons 25-26 (ai, ay)Level 7
Lessons 33-34 (oa, ow)Level 8
Lessons 39-42 (_y, igh)Level 9
Lessons 46-47 (ue, ew)Level 10A
Lessons 55-56 (or, ore)Level 10B
Lessons 61-62 (ir, ur, er)Level 11
Lessons 66-74 (a_e, i_e, o_e, e_e, u_e)Level 12
Lessons 78-79 (ow, ou)Level 13A
Lessons 89-90 (aw, au)Level 13B
Lessons 96-97 (_y, _ey)Levels 14 & 15
Lessons 100-101 (oy, oi)Level 16A
Lessons 107-108 (ear, eer)Level 16B
Lessons 119-120 (dge, ge)Level 17
Lessons 121-122 (tch, ch)Level 18A

InitiaLit-2

InitiaLit Lesson
When you start teaching this lesson
Phonics Hero Level
Pacing will release this level
InitiaLit-2Levels 18B – 26
Set Up Pacing

Author: Phonics Hero

Still need help? Contact us at info@phonicshero.com.