ERIC Number: ED647982
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 135
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-8417-8214-8
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Exploring Early Childhood Teachers' Experiences When Teaching Phonics with the Letterland Program
Laura A. Winters
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Walden University
In 2015, a small school district in a mid-Atlantic state implemented Letterland, a phonics-based early reading program, to increase early reading levels. The problem investigated in this study was that, despite district implementation of the Letterland phonics program, early childhood students continued to struggle with mastery of phonics and phonemic awareness skills, suggesting that improvements might be needed in program implementation. The purpose of this project study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of early childhood teachers who teach phonics and phonemic awareness using the Letterland program. The conceptual framework that guided this study was the constructivist theory. The research questions centered around the experiences of teachers and the supports and resources needed to implement the Letterland program successfully from the teachers' perspective. Nine early childhood teachers who had implemented the Letterland program participated in one-on-one interviews. Data were analyzed using inductive coding to identify themes that emerged. The themes that emerged were early childhood educators' experiences of obstacles and barriers, effects of teaching Letterland on teaching practice, Letterland's professional development experiences, teaching experiences prior to Letterland, professional training opportunities necessary to teach students successfully, and tools necessary to teach Letterland. The results of the project study were used to create a 3-day professional development to assist early childhood reading teachers in teaching phonics and phonemic awareness more effectively. This project study may promote positive social change by informing future teachers and administrators on what is needed to adequately prepare early childhood teachers to teach phonics and phonemic awareness using the Letterland program. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Early Childhood Teachers, Teaching Experience, Teacher Attitudes, Phonics, Phonemic Awareness, Program Effectiveness, Barriers, Faculty Development, Reading Instruction
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A