Rules for Teaching Phonics

The "whole/part/whole approach" is a typical method for teaching phonics. It starts by examining words within a text that contain a phonics standard, practicing how this standard works, and reading more text for further development. A phonics standard refers to the common sounds associated with alphabet letters.

Function

Phonics instruction is used to teach emergent readers how to decode words by their letter sounds. Teaching phonics, in addition to teaching sight words, provides the basis for learning to read.

Types of Methods

Synthetic and analytic are two methods of teaching phonics. Synthetic phonics teaches individual letter sounds first and then works on using those known letter sounds to put together words. In contrast, analytic phonics looks at the word first, deconstructing it to its letter sounds. The "whole/part/whole approach" combines both methods.

Time Frame

When teaching phonics in grades one through three, the rules to stress are individual letters sounds, consonant blends, vowel digraphs, common phonogram patterns.

Considerations

Phonics instruction is not the only key to reading success, and for some emergent readers, it plays only a small part in learning to read. Word recognition, spelling, writing, and vocabulary are also important in learning to read fluently.

Fun Fact

The popular "Hooked on Phonics" program was created by a father who wanted to help his son learn to read.

References

• All Children Read: Teaching for Literacy in Today's Diverse Classrooms; Charles Temple, Donna Ogle, Alan Crawford, Penny Freppon; 2005
• History of the Hooked on Phonics Program