--- title: How to Teach Irregular Words Without Memorization Tricks description: Flashcards and drills aren't the most effective way to teach irregular words. Learn what orthographic mapping research says and what to do instead. image: https://www.halifaxlearning.com/hubfs/smiling%20teacher%20explaining.jpeg --- [![HFX\_LEARNING\_LOGO\_WEB](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/hubfs/NEW_SITE_IMAGES/HFX_LEARNING_LOGO_WEB.png)](https://www.halifaxlearning.com) - [HOME](https://www.halifaxlearning.com) - EDUCATORS - [TEACHER TRAINING](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/structured-literacy-teacher-training) - [STRUCTURED LITERACY MICRO COURSES](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/courses) - [PROVEN RESULTS & CASE STUDIES](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/case_studies) - [TESTIMONIALS](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/teacher-testimonials) - [FAQS](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/teacher_faqs) - STUDENTS & FAMILIES - [READING SKILLS ASSESSMENT](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/reading_skills_assessment) - [RESEARCH HUB & IN-PERSON READING CLINICS](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/halifax_clinic) - [ONLINE LEARNING](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/online_learning) - [SUMMER LEARNING 2027](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/summer-camp-registration) - [TESTIMONIALS](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/testimonials) - [FAQS](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/student_faqs) - ACTIVE RESEARCH - [RESEARCH](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/research) - [CONFERENCES](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/resources) - [BLOG](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/blog) - ABOUT - [LEADERSHIP TEAM](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/the_company) - [READING EXPERTS](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/the_team) - [CONTACT](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/contact) [FREE ASSESSMENT](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/reading_skills_assessment) Best Practices # How to Teach Irregular Words Without Memorization Tricks Flashcards and drills aren't the most effective way to teach irregular words. Learn what orthographic mapping research says and what to do instead. [Halifax Learning](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/blog/author/halifax-learning) Apr 7, 2026 --- Irregular words (sight words) have long been treated as a memorization task. Flash cards, word walls, and repetition drills are often used, but research on how the brain stores words challenges this approach. Here's a more effective way to think about irregular word instruction. ## **Are Words Really Irregular?** First, a reframe: most so-called irregular words are actually only partially irregular. Consider the word 'said.' The /s/ and /d/ are perfectly regular; only the vowel is unexpected. When we tell students to "just memorize it," we throw away the decodable information and miss a teaching opportunity. ## **Orthographic Mapping: How the Brain Really Learns Words** Research by Dr. Linnea Ehri shows that the brain stores words by mapping their sounds to their spellings, a process called orthographic mapping. For this to work with irregular words, students need to analyze the word, identify what is regular, and anchor the irregular element specifically. This is very different from treating the whole word as an unpredictable blob of letters. ## **What This Looks Like in Practice** When introducing an irregular word, say it clearly. Then have students map the regular sounds to letters, and identify specifically which part doesn't follow the expected pattern. Verbalize it: 'The word is said. The /s/ is regular, the /d/ is regular, but the vowel says /e/ instead of /a/.' Repeat this process across multiple exposures. This approach takes more effort at the beginning, but it results in far stronger retention because the word is integrated into what students already know about language. **Halifax Learning's teacher training includes practical modules on irregular word instruction rooted in the science of orthographic mapping. Get in touch to learn more.**     [Best Practices](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/blog/topic/best-practices) [Teaching Reading](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/blog/topic/teaching-reading) [Evidence-Based Education](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/blog/topic/evidence-based-education) ## Similar posts Best Practices ### [What Every Teacher Should Know About Phonics Instruction](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/blog/what-every-teacher-should-know-about-phonics-instruction) Halifax Learning Mar 31, 2026 Best Practices ### [Halifax Learning vs. Orton-Gillingham: What’s the Difference? (and Why It Matters for Your Child)](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/blog/halifax-learning-vs.-orton-gillingham-whats-the-difference-and-why-it-matters-for-your-child) Halifax Learning Apr 14, 2026 Best Practices ### [Morphology in the Classroom: Teaching Prefixes, Suffixes & Roots](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/blog/morphology-in-the-classroom-teaching-prefixes-suffixes-roots) Eryn Steele May 20, 2026 ### Subscribe to our blog - don't miss the latest on literacy. ### Halifax Learning Blog ![HFX\_LEARNING\_LOGO\_FOOTER\_WHITE](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/hubfs/NEW_SITE_IMAGES/HFX_LEARNING_LOGO_FOOTER_WHITE.png) ##### **Phone: [902-453-4113](tel:902-453-4113)** ##### **[2891 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS B3L 2V9](https://www.google.com/maps/place/2891+Oxford+St,+Halifax,+NS+B3L+2V9/@44.6527934,-63.6095136,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4b5a219d11f36413:0xe441ae9c58282eff!8m2!3d44.6527896!4d-63.6073249)** ### ABOUT - [THE COMPANY](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/the_company) - [THE TEAM](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/the_team) - [CONTACT](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/contact) ### FOR STUDENTS - [READING SKILLS ASSESSMENT](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/reading_skills_assessment) - [RESEARCH HUB & IN-PERSON READING CLINICS](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/halifax_clinic) - [ONLINE LEARNING](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/online_learning) - [TESTIMONIALS](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/testimonials) - [FAQS](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/student_faqs) ### FOR EDUCATORS - [TEACHER TRAINING](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/teacher_training) - [MICRO COURSES](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/courses) - [CASE STUDIES](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/case_studies) - [TESTIMONIALS](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/teacher-testimonials) - [FAQS](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/teacher_faqs) ### RESEARCH - [BLOG](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/blog) - [RESEARCH](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/research) - [CONFERENCES](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/resources) - [NEWSLETTER](https://www.halifaxlearning.com/newsletter_signup) © 2026 Halifax Learning [Powered by Atlas - a B2B SaaS HubSpot theme](https://www.kalungi.com/atlas-hubspot-theme-for-b2b-saas-software)