Five Essential Skills That Are Crucial for Effective Reading Instruction
Phonemic Awareness | Systematic Phonics | Fluency | Vocabulary | Comprehension
Accurate Phonics Rules Help Students Decode 98% of Words
By teaching 75 phonograms and 31 spelling rules that explain 98% of English words, you can:
- Explain the exceptions!
- Prevent the need for three-cueing and guessing!
- Eliminate the need for sight words!
The Importance of Systematic Phonics
When students know the phonograms and sounds, they can use this knowledge to sound out words. Systematic phonics teaches students how to decode unknown words independently and identify the sounds of every letter-sound correspondence. This process is crucial for helping students become strong readers and spellers.
Learn How Systematic Phonics Works
Every Spoken Word Is a Combination of Sounds
English has 45 sounds or phonemes. Phonemes are blended together to form words. Words can also be segmented into their sounds.
Every Written Word Can Be Divided Into Phonograms
A phonogram is a letter or a combination of letters representing one of the sounds of spoken English. There are 75 Basic Phonograms that are the common ways to write the 45 speech sounds.
Spelling Rules Work With Phonograms To Explain Written Words
When students learn vital concepts such as nine reasons for a silent final E or that C says two sounds, they are empowered to read and spell without guessing.
Comprehension Skills Are Directly Related to Decoding Skills
The Simple View of Reading states that if a student has strong decoding skills, they will be able to read and comprehend at the same level they can orally comprehend!
How To Teach Systematic Phonics
Start With the Phonograms
Teach students ALL of the sounds of A-Z from the start, then progress to the multi-letter phonograms. With older students, start in the same place, filling in the gaps in their knowledge.
Encourage Students To Sound Out Words
When students know the phonograms and their sounds, they can use this knowledge to sound out words. When a student sounds out a word, the brain uses the sounds to identify the spoken word and its meaning.
Teach Students To Underline Multi-Letter Phonograms
Underlining multi-letter phonograms helps emerging readers to see the letters as a single unit of sound and provides essential information about the word.
Practice With Phonics-Controlled Readers
Choose phonics-controlled texts appropriate for the age, oral language abilities and interests of the students. Students benefit from practicing sounding out words with readers controlled for phonograms and spelling rules they have learned.
Teach Students Spelling Rules That Work!
Spelling rules help students identify which phonograms and sounds are used in words! When these rules are accurate, students are able to decode easily and understand the pattern behind English words.
Simultaneously Teach Reading and Spelling Skills
Reading and spelling are related skills! Students benefit from spelling and analyzing words using their phonics knowledge. These skills contribute to decoding and help to build reading and writing fluency.
Practice Phonics Every Day
Mastering the foundational skills of reading requires daily practice! Students who do not practice regularly forget vital concepts and often need to be retaught. Daily practice helps to develop the long-term mastery of decoding skills and fluency in reading.
Learn More About Explicit, Systematic Phonics in Uncovering the Logic of English!
An award-winning book that unlocks the logic behind English words with basic phonograms and simple spelling rules!