In five phonic generalizations, this article introduces a logical system of letter-sound relationships. Ranging from 91% to 99% phonic transparency, these statements generalize a study of 16,928 words in children's literature. The r-controlled vowels aside, the analysis shows 54 basic transparent letters and letter combinations, 39 transparent…

Based on a first grade teacher's search for approaches to promote successful reading acquisition in her first grade classroom, the authors present a curricular engagement in which the teacher explored using music, specifically singing songs, as a fun and motivating way to accelerate reading progress. The premise is that singing (while at the…

The quick adoption of iPads into the classroom, coupled with the many apps targeting early literacy skills, offers a new way to build early literacy skills with emergent and beginning readers. However, young children may be more proficient with the technology than with the literacy concepts, and may not be maximizing learning, or even learning at…

Several decades of research have established the critical role of phonemic awareness in the development of beginning reading. In particular, phonemic awareness makes early phonics instruction useful for children and facilitates their ability to blend letter sounds while decoding words, to learn sight words reliably, and to spell phonetically. A…

"My eSorts" is a strategy for helping children learn to read and spell in a socially motivated context. It is based on developmental spelling research and the word study approach to teaching phonics and spelling. "eSorting" employs digital desktop publishing tools that allow children to author their own electronic word sorts and then share these…

Phonics and fluency have been identified as two essential elements in the effective teaching of reading. Although normally considered two distinct elements of the reading curriculum that are separate, through the use of rhyming poetry both phonics and fluency can be taught in a synergistic and authentic manner. In this article, the authors explore…

Reports that the rule governing the words in the title category are so unreliable as to be useless. (Author/FL)

Finds that the high percentage of spontaneous, contextual activities used to teach phonic relationships in preschool classrooms dropped off dramatically when children entered kindergarten and the primary grades, where instructional experiences were mostly explicit. Shows that a combined approach to teaching phonics was observed only infrequently.…

Discusses a number of current documents that reflect the renewed role of phonics in beginning reading instruction. (TO)

Suggests that children should be taught to blend isolated sounds into words as an aid to reading. (MKM)

Argues that problems identified with using phonics do not attack the skill, per se, which phonics provides--being able to independently unlock words. (HOD)

Presents a current analysis of vowel regularity done with slightly different parameters. Compares the findings of this analysis to Clymer's classic 1963 study and other studies in order to demonstrate some of the issues that affect interpretation of this kind of analysis. Gives some specific suggestions about the teaching of vowels. (SG)

A phonics advocate maintains that claims for results with the method called "assisted reading" or sentence reading are higher than can be expected. (MKM)

Describes "Word Building," a system for teaching phonics based on students' natural tendency to seek out pronounceable word parts. Describes how one spelling pattern might be taught in a typical lesson. (SR)

Compares two major methods for teaching phonics. (RB)