A Closer Look at the 95 Phonics Lesson Library 2.0: Multisyllabic Skill Level for Middle School Intervention

When it comes to supporting older students with reading intervention, finding high-quality, age-appropriate materials can be a challenge. One resource that’s rising to the top of my list is the 95 Percent Group’s Phonics Lesson Library (PLL) 2.0, particularly the Multisyllabic Skill Level designed for upper elementary and middle school learners.

In this post, I’ll walk you through what’s included in the digital trial of this resource, highlight the structure of the lessons, and share how it compares to other popular interventions like UFLI and REWARDS.  

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What Is the 95 Phonics Lesson Library 2.0?

The PLL 2.0 is a comprehensive phonics program structured across three levels: Basic, Advanced, and Multisyllabic. This post focuses on the Multisyllabic Skill Level, which is ideal for students who need systematic, explicit instruction in decoding multisyllabic words—often a major barrier for struggling readers in middle school.

Accessing the Digital Trial

To preview the materials, you can activate a digital trial on the 95 Percent Group website. Once logged in, you’ll have access to:

• A Trial Guide with overview information

• A Timing Guide that outlines the lesson structure

• Printable manipulatives

• Digital teacher resources

• Presentation files

• Student Activity Modules

Lesson Design & Daily Structure

Each lesson is designed to be delivered over five days, with 30-minute sessions. The lesson structure emphasizes a consistent routine that includes:

• Phonemic awareness review

• Syllable mapping and sorting

• Word and sentence reading

• Writing words and sentences

• Word chaining

• Transferring to text

• Comprehension questions

The Timing Guide is especially helpful in pacing your lessons and ensuring that each component gets the attention it deserves.

Hands-On and Digital Tools

One of the most useful components of the digital trial is the Printable Manipulative Kit. Even if you don’t ultimately purchase the full product, this is a goldmine of reusable, instructional tools. These include:

• Syllable bar mapping mats

• Patterned word passages for teachers and students

• Word lists and nonsense word practice

• Comprehension questions

• Mapping and writing templates

These materials can complement other intervention programs you may already be using.

Teacher and Student Materials

The Teacher Lesson Plans come in printed booklets for each skill set (once purchased), but the digital trial includes full access to sample lessons. Each plan is clearly marked with icons indicating whether to use teacher presentation files or launch student digital modules.

While the routines are scripted, you’ll find that with practice, they become second nature. Early on, they may feel robotic—but repetition helps internalize the flow, allowing for smoother, more natural delivery.

The lessons also integrate nonsense words to reinforce syllable types and decoding patterns, supported by printable cards and gestures that make abstract concepts more concrete.

Digital Presentation Files & Student Modules

If you're working in a tech-enabled classroom, the presentation files and student activity modules are an excellent addition. These allow you to:

• Model phoneme segmentation and word mapping on-screen

• Use digital chips and bars instead of physical manipulatives

• Guide students through sorting activities

• Provide self-paced or teacher-guided reading practice

The student activity modules are especially helpful for independent or small-group work. They're interactive, structured, and aligned with the skills being taught in the teacher lesson.

My Favorite Features

• Scripted routines help ensure consistency and fidelity—especially helpful for new interventionists.

• Digital teacher presentation files streamline instruction, making it easy to model concepts via a smartboard or tablet.

• Nonsense word practice for each syllable type ensures students apply knowledge beyond memorized vocabulary.

• Printable manipulative kits are well-organized and versatile—many can be repurposed for other programs.

How It Compares: PLL 2.0 vs. UFLI and REWARDS

So how does PLL 2.0 Multisyllabic Skill Level stack up against other widely used programs like UFLI Foundations and REWARDS?

• UFLI is incredibly comprehensive and foundational. It’s perfect for younger students or older students who are still struggling with basic phonics. However, it doesn’t focus heavily on multisyllabic word work beyond the upper levels. If you're working with students who need foundational skills and multisyllabic decoding, you might find yourself supplementing.

• REWARDS is specifically built for middle and high schoolers and is known for its structured, efficient routines. It’s heavier on the text-based instruction and lighter on manipulatives or visual supports. While REWARDS is fast-paced and text-rich, some students may need more hands-on decoding practice and scaffolding.

• PLL 2.0 lands nicely in the middle. It offers structured routines like REWARDS but incorporates more multisensory elements like UFLI. The inclusion of mapping, manipulatives, and visual supports makes it ideal for interventionists who want a blend of direct instruction and active student engagement.

My Recommendation: If you're working with middle school students who still need explicit decoding instruction and benefit from visual and tactile supports, PLL 2.0 is a strong contender. It complements UFLI nicely if you're already using it in K–3, and can be an alternative to REWARDS for students who need more interaction and modeling.

Final Thoughts

The 95 Phonics Lesson Library 2.0—Multisyllabic Skill Level—offers a thoughtfully designed, structured approach to intervention that is both teacher-friendly and engaging for students. Whether you’re already using programs like UFLI or REWARDS, or you’re exploring options to support your older readers, PLL 2.0 is well worth a closer look.

If you're looking to expand your intervention toolkit with something systematic, multisensory, and appropriate for middle school, this is a great resource to consider.