Phonics: “Using Words You Know” Learning to Read and Spell Based on Patterns

What is Phonics? Phonics is the connection of sounds and symbols Requires children to learn letter sounds and combinations of letter sounds (phonemes) associated with their corresponding letter symbols (graphemes) 26 letters in the alphabet At least 44 different sounds!

Concerns about Phonics So many rules in English language have exceptions Need Phonics and Whole Language to become proficient readers (phonics is sometimes overemphasized) Different types of learners (auditory vs. visual) – A child who is weak in auditory discrimination is not likely to master phonics

Why use Rhyme Based Decoding and Spelling Activities? Like “Making Words” these activities help children to focus on and learn rhyming patterns that help them to decode and spell thousands of words

Activity: “Using Words You Know” (Also found in Phonics They Use starting on Page 131) Choose 3 to 4 words that students can read and spell and that have many rhyming words spelled the same way Words can be well known brand names and items (what I chose to use!) Note: It is important that you pre-pick the words and the words that rhyme. Ex: Students will be correct when they say dream and seem rhyme but will not help them to spell.

“Using Words You Know” (cont.) Display products, give students time to talk about them Point out that these objects will help them read and spell words And now for the activity…

References Cunningham, Patricia M., & Hall, Dorothy P. (2008). Making words: first grade. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, Inc. Cunningham, Patricia M. (2009). Phonics they use: Words for reading and writing. New York: Pearson Education.