A phonics education apparatus, comprising a first word-constructing member (12) and a second word-constructing member (14). The first member has a first plurality of word fragments (20), each of which is plainly identified by indicia (16). The second member has a second plurality of word fragments (22), each of which is also plainly identified by indicia (18). The indicia of each of the second plurality of fragments is different from each other and matches the indicia of at least one of the first plurality of fragments. The matching indicia signify that a word is to be formed from the word fragments identified by the matching indicia. Either or both of the members are movable, enabling any word fragment of the first plurality of fragments to be paired with any word fragment of the second plurality of fragments. Accordingly, the formation of words is guided by the indicia of the word fragments. The indicia are preferably colors.