Phonics

Make Digraphs Come to Life
Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

Getting your students to read digraphs (e.g., ch, sh, wh) can be difficult. Young readers tend to associate one letter per sound. However, multiple letters can work together to create a new sound. Here's a fabulous strategy to get your readers to remember the ch, wh, th, and sh sounds [read more...]

Recognizing Print Styles Increases Automaticity
Monday, February 15th, 2010

One aspect of reading fluency is automaticity. Students see a word and just say it—they no longer have to sound it out. In the classroom, primary teachers work on this constantly, but what about reading in the real world? The letters look different. [read more...]

Frequently Asked Questions: Phonemic Awareness
Monday, January 18th, 2010

With just a phonics understanding, then students understand the “p” says /p/. But then Sophie and Phillip sitting in your class wonder why their names aren’t pronounced So-p-hie or P-hillip. When we announce that a “c” says /k/ like in “computer” or “cat,” then students wonder why “city” isn’t pronounced [read more...]

Review Phonics with Year-End Awards
Monday, July 6th, 2009

Announce that each student will earn an award this year, but you need help determining what the award titles should be. With each student’s name written down, ask students to brainstorm an award that fits that student’s personality and accomplishments. However, the award must begin with [read more...]

Building Phonics Skills with Word-Cup Makers
Thursday, May 22nd, 2008

Throw away those construction paper sliders, primary teachers! Instead, try word-maker cups. Stack two large Styrofoam coffee cups so their lips fit together and can be rotated. The lip of one cup contains the beginning consonant blends [read more...]