Phonics
By Jessica Moret
'Phonics' Defined:
-a method commonly used to teach people to read by understanding the relationship between the letters and their sounds in an alphabetic system of writing; the goal of phonics is to teach the most common sound-spelling relationships so that students can decode, or sound out, words.
Rationale
Phonics is an important element of literacy instruction because of the snowball effect it has on a student's ability to read fluently and comprehend text. Phonic helps students to gain the ability to decode words. A Harvard University-trained reading specialist, Wiley Blevins, explains this snowball effect by stating, "Decoding words aids the development of word recognition, which in turn increases reading fluency. Reading fluency improves reading comprehension because, as students are no longer struggling with decoding words, they can concentrate on making meaning of the text" (Blevins, para. 5). Throughout the chapter of phonics, DeVries explains how there are many different opinions about phonics and how it should be taught. However, one thing that reading researchers and educators can all agree on is that "Phonics is important for reader as the learn how the sounds of language create words" (DeVries, 2015, pg. 100).
Artifacts
Sparkle Box
Sparkle Box is an excellent website that makes it easy for teachers to get their hands on various phonics activities. They matching games and "I have, who has?" flashcards as well. This is an excellent resources for the repetition portion of teaching phonics.
The Phonics Dance
I included this video of The Phonics Dance because of the fun students can have. While repeating the words and gestures to the dance, students will forget that they are actually learning phonics. This would be a fun tool to use in any elementary grade level to reinforce the relationships of sounds and letters.
The Phonics Dance! Official Video with author creator Ginny Dowd
Phonics Bingo
I included this free phonics bingo printable as another fun way to get students engaged in learning phonics. This could also be used as a tool to assess students on their knowledge of phonics without using the basic quiz or test method.
Phonics Posters
On "teacherspayteachers," there are numerous free phonics posters that can be used to colorfully and creatively display the letters and sound correlations throughout any grade level classroom. This would be a great tool in your classroom as a daily reminder for students as their strengthen their phonics ability.
References
Blevins, W. (n.d.). Great Books and Programs for Teaching Phonics | Scholastic.com. Retrieved September 19, 2016, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/great-books-and-programs-teaching-phonics
DeVries, B. A. (2015). Literacy assessment & intervention for classroom teachers(4th ed., Vol. 1). Scottsdale, AZ: Holcomb Hathaway.