WALLS: Choosing a Phonics Program

Why use a Phonics program?

A Phonics program gives you an order and sequence for lessons.

It gives example words for the Phonics rules the student is learning.

It probably includes worksheets and other rehearsal materials.

But a Phonics program cannot teach Phonics by itself. That requires a live teacher.

The student needs to hear the letter-sounds and example words--perhaps with exaggeration.

The teacher needs to listen as the student names the letter-sounds.

What to look for in a Phonics program:

My preference is for a program that teaches a basic set of letter-sounds. For example:

Alphabet consonants
sh, ch, th, ng
Two sounds for c and g
‘Consonant clusters’ such as br, fl, tw, sp . . .
Ending -y, -er, -ing, -ed, plural -s
Short vowel sounds
Diphthongs (vowels that sort of slide from one sound to another): oi/oy, ou/ow
Some other common vowel sounds
The idea of word families such as -op, -all, -ight

You may choose a more detailed program including the basic syllable types, various alternate sounds for letters, and alternate spellings for sounds, and so on.

My preference is to teach these details through a systematic spelling program up through the grades.

Whatever choice you make, be sure that your program includes practice stories at each stage.

Students need to rehearse each new Phonic skill in some actual reading.

Remember that the goal of Phonics learning is Rapid-Accurate Naming.

Do whatever rehearsal it takes to make sure your student is learning to name the sounds correctly.

Accuracy comes before speed. With accurate practice, speed comes naturally.

Make sure that your student masters his Phonics program.

If you are working with a reader for whom Phonics not a natural thing to learn :

• Don’t just follow along in the book: okay, page 9; page 10 . . .

• Do be sure your student has a solid foundation in Phonemic Awareness (see The Floor section of The Reading Treehouse).

• Do use the Reading Treehouse Materials and the information in Success in Phonics, Ease Into Phonics, and Make the Most of Your Phonics Program (see The Walls section of The Reading Treehouse) to help the student master the Phonics as you go.

Remember: It’s not a race.

There is not an unlimited amount of Phonics to learn in order to get a kid up and reading.

Keep it clean and accurate. That saves time in the long run.

A word about worksheets and computer programs:

What’s wrong with this worksheet?

Circle the pictures that begin with C.

Pictures do not begin with letter-sounds!

The names of pictures begin with letter sounds.

If the child names these pictures “Peppermint, fire, sun” then none of them starts with the C sound.

So remember: teaching Phonics is a hands-on job.

Worksheets cannot talk to the student.
Computers cannot listen to her as she practices naming letter-sounds.

Do not believe that there is something wrong with your child if she has been playing with her learning-to-read software for ages but still cannot read.

A Phonics program cannot do the job without you.

More on this topic: The Reading Treehouse -> THE WALLS: Phonics

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