Veteran teacher Rachel Harbison used vivid stories to involve kindergartners in sociodramatic play to motivate reading acquisition. Children learned through staged events that a mischievous Word Queen had planted "tricks" in the alphabet (i.e., the irregularities in English spelling) to prevent children from learning to read. The…

There is some evidence that reading and spelling are complementary processes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which contextualized spelling (i.e., spelling activities within the context of reading instruction) is used to support reading in first-grade core reading programs. Analysis of 75 lessons across five programs…

This study examined a combined reading curriculum (CRC) containing all the essential reading components of phonemic awareness, phonics, spelling, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. The CRC combines a word study curriculum with a specifically designed supplemental reading curriculum to create a developmental, systematic, and comprehensive…

Students beyond the primary grades who struggle with reading lack basic word attack ability and are thus unable to read new words with accuracy. However, there has been little research that reveals the specific word attack errors students exhibit. In this study, 123 struggling adolescent readers receiving special education services were given the…

This study examined the effects of a phonics supplemental small group instructional approach for improving kindergartners' word reading skills. Six kindergarten students from one primary school were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Each group participated in a phonics condition as well as a control condition. Data were examined using visual…

This study aimed to understand the views of prospective teachers with "phonic-based sentence method" through metaphoric images. In this descriptive study, the participants involve the prospective teachers who take reading-writing instruction courses in Primary School Classroom Teaching Program of the Education Faculty of Pamukkale…

Describes a study that examined whether high school special education students' scores on a phonics test could be perceptively increased through the use of a selected course in phonics and phonetics. (FL)

Examines the relationship between three methods of testing students' phonics mastery. Questions existing ways of interpreting test results and suggests two alternatives. (FL)

In Turkey, the Ministry of National Education (MONE) changed the reading instruction method in elementary schools from whole language approach to phonics emphasis in 2005. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to examine the impacts of phonics method on reading acquisition in a Turkish sample; to understand what elementary school teachers…

Surveys 208 inservice elementary school teachers regarding their collective perceptions of integrated phonics instruction at several levels. Investigates the importance of phonics instruction, the integration of phonics instruction in current elementary classrooms, the preparation of the elementary teachers, and the teachers' perceptions towards…

Compares the reading achievement of second graders who were taught with a direct instruction program to second graders who were taught with a basal reading program in three areas: vocabulary, comprehension, and language. Finds Direct Instruction was more successful than the basal reading program. (NH)

Surveys teachers after using CHAR-L Intensive Phonics at two psycho-educational centers located in the southeastern United States for students with severe emotional disturbances. Indicates positive teacher perception of training for program implementation, actual training time, and comfort level in teaching. Notes strong administrative support in…

Reflects that the term "whole language" involves instilling a love of literature, problem-solving and critical thinking, collaboration, authenticity, personalized learning, and much more. Examines some recent research dealing with two fundamental points of contention between the two sides of the phonics and whole language debate. Finds evidence…

Reports on a study that examined the relationship between teacher sentiments toward two broad classifications of reading instruction--the phonics and the meaning-based methods. Concludes that teacher sentiments toward these two methods are multidimensional and complex. (FL)

Concludes that first grade boys in a basal reader program supplemented with phonics instruction learned reading skills and read with comprehension as well as those in an intensive phonics program. (FL)