Practical Implications: This chapter contributes to the literature on phonics and phonemic awareness by clearly explaining the differences between the two concepts and their necessary inclusion in any beginning reading program. It includes practical activities teachers can use to develop these understandings in the classroom and provides research…

This practical, teacher-friendly book provides indispensable guidance for implementing research-based reading instruction that is responsive to students' diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Structured around the "big five" core topics of an effective reading program--phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension--the…

Rather than treating phonics as an end in itself, this brief text shows how phonics fits into the overall process of a child's learning to read. It helps students understand how phonics can be integrated successfully into an effective classroom reading program. While it includes a wealth of suggestions for practical classroom applications, the…

As the number of learning support assistants (also referred to as classroom assistants, teaching aides, auxiliary support and paraeducators) employed in the primary sector continues to increase, questions concerning the contribution they make to raising standards of attainment remain to be answered. This article reports evidence from a small-scale…

The Report of the National Reading Panel (2000) explains that phonemic awareness instruction and phonics instruction are highly beneficial for students learning to read. In the updated second edition, Edmund V. Starrett provides educators with guidance on teaching phonics as part of a well-planned reading program. This reference book presents the…

There seems to be a pendulum in the field of education that sways from one extreme to another when a teaching method is introduced. The whole language concept caught on, and phonics instruction was then considered defunct. The pendulum now in the process of swinging back is being intercepted, before it goes to the extreme of "all…

Much is written and spoken about in terms of whole language versus phonics in early reading instruction in the public schools, but the issue between whole language versus phonics probably pertains to what is needed by individual pupils. There are advantages as well as disadvantages for whole language approaches in reading instruction. Needs differ…

Intended to help educators explain an instructional program to parents, this document presents and discusses the following ten statements reflecting traditional views about teaching reading: (1) Reading is a simple, passive mental process. (2) An efficient reader pronounces every word in the passage. (3) When children come to an unfamiliar word,…

To enable all children to learn to read with confidence and fluency, beginning reading instruction programs must offer balanced instruction that provides children with a variety of experiences. A full discussion of all the dimensions of a balanced program of beginning reading instruction is beyond the scope of this booklet. Rather, this booklet…

FUNdamentals puts the "FUN" back in learning for all age groups. FUNdamentals is an intensive, systematic phonics learn-to-read program that helps improve comprehension, spelling, and penmanship. It is designed for use by every age group. Formulated for use with learners from preschool through adult ages, FUNdamentals is the key to…

This literacy kit is designed for adult students reading at the 0-2nd level and their teachers or tutors. It is divided into eight sections: basal reader, phonics, sight words, spelling, writing, comprehension, generative words, and survival skills. The basal reader section consists of a cross-reference guide relating chapters in the reader to…

This book focuses on teaching reading in a multilingual setting. The book introduces core principles of effective reading practice, beginning with a definitive checklist grounded in a theory of reading. As the chapters progress, each item on the checklist is explained and illustrated in detail with examples of eight exemplary teachers who work…

Helping teachers to discover approaches and techniques that fit their teaching style and their teaching situation, this book presents as fairly, completely, and clearly as possible the major approaches and techniques of reading instruction that research and practice have indicated to be successful. Based on the idea that the best reading programs…

A guide for teachers selecting reading textbooks, this report brings together information about basal programs on the market and clarification of important issues in reading instruction. A general analysis of 20 basal programs includes a prose explication and a table comparing contents (skills), reading selections, methodology, assessment tests,…

Intended for reading teachers, this resource book provides a variety of practical suggestions and materials for motivating students to read. Chapter one deals with removing roadblocks to reading, including such things as low expectations, a poor self-concept, lack of self-control, lack of flexibility, and lack of time and of interest. Chapter two…