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 article describes the Mother Phonics program as implemented at the Augusta University Literacy Center. A description of the program as well as the Center's facility is offered. The daily schedule and instructional techniques are highlighted. The instructional design embraces the unique learning styles and preferences of struggling readers.…

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…

Several authors have suggested that a teacher's ability to encourage a disposition to read may be linked to their personal reading habits and views of literacy. This study examined the relationship between elementary school teachers' reading habits, knowledge of children's literature, and their use of literacy best practices in the classroom. One…

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…

Presents five basic decoding patterns which can be applied in a linguistic approach to teaching reading or spelling. (JM)

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…

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)

States that many American children have difficulty learning to read (44% read below grade level). Explains the viewpoint of the phonics group and what those involved with whole language believe. Calls for dispassionate inquiry into how to raise reading levels, instead of the battle of the two methodologies as exists now. (PA)

Studies the effects of reading instruction using D. Carnine and J. Silbert's "Direct Instruction Reading." Finds that direct instruction in phonics is more successful than basals at teaching the essential skills that provide the foundation for future success in reading. Dispels the myth that explicit phonics instruction interferes with…

Compares a structured phonics method with a child-centered language experience approach to teach beginning reading in kindergarten. Finds no difference in achievement between the two groups. Finds that children evidenced more motivation and social interaction related to language activities in the language experience approach. (KEH)