PHONICS
We Must Build the Foundation for Reading
I n the State of Georgia we still rank at the bottom in education. This is the position we have maintained for too many embarrassing years. The antiquated public school system currently keeps our children for 15 years and yet results still remain shameful. Our government spends millions of our tax dollars adding K-3, K-4, K-5, Kindergarten, Head Start and numerous after school programs just to make sure every child can read. What a waste! Most schools do not lay the proper foundation for reading---phonics. The public schools have access to phonics materials, many do touch on the subject. It is clearly obvious that it is far to little on this subject. They spend an enormous amount of time on unnecessaries and as an educational supplier for the public school system told me personally, they purchase a lot of "filler material." Parents across the country would be appalled if they would just spend one whole day in school with their child. They would witness how much time or rather how little is actually spent on reading, but especially phonics.
I had the privilege of spending some time with an eight year old child. His mother told me that the child had recently had two sessions with a certified tutor to help him improve his reading level. This child struggled to read a Dr. Seuss book to me. This child has been enrolled in the public school system now for almost 3 years yet he had barely even begun to master phonics. He did quote a couple of phonics rules from memorization but had little or no concept of their practical application. When he couldn't read the word, "jar", I ask him if the "j" was instead the letter "c", what would it be and he figured it out. This clearly proved he has not mastered the phonics of "ar" as in jar, car, star, which is one of the simple and most basics of phonics.
The certified tutor, I was told by the mother, was testing the child. The certified tutor, I was told by the child, was directing him to read a book silently and fill out worksheets thus far. My questions to the mother were, "What is the point of testing him? Is it to remind the child and everyone that he cannot read? Why isn't she teaching him phonics?" I also reminded her that the same failing system that has already had over two years to teach her child to read has also granted this tutor her "certification".
I searched the internet for free phonics charts, printed them and placed them in sheet protectors inside a notebook binder. I went over them with the child and gave them to his mother and told her to ask the tutor to go
over these charts and teach them until they are mastered.
This particular child is very quick and bright. He asks questions and still displays that natural, God-given curiosity to learn. This child is also from a well-nurtured family, however, it breaks my heart to think about how many children are really struggling, what is it doing to their self-esteem, confidence, and sense of self-worth and what are the possible long-term effects.
Anyone and almost any child can teach another child to read. Using a simple phonics chart, yes even a parent that has not learned phonics can teach phonics and learn with the child as they teach it. It is unfortunate that many home schooling parents use the same failing methods from
the public schools right in their home. They tend to follow the flow of
familiarity.
Learning the phonetic rules is important. However the repeated practical application of those rules is even more important. The rules must be memorized and used simultaneously without being drilled so strickly. It is good to cover some word families as phonics is being introduced. You can make your own word families for each sound covered. For example while teaching the phonic "are" as in care, build on that family by adding dare, stare, beware, blare, share, compare, etc. It is easier to work with similar sounding phonics at the same time. For instance with the above you could also cover "air", as in flair, stairs, claire, etc. Adding to and building the word families is more fun when your child helps to build those family groups of words. The McGuffey Readers, which we carry, are excellent for applying and reading the new, introduced phonics. The "EZ, I can Read" books found in most all libraries are also an excellent tool to begin with. Writing the word families, reading the phonics charts, and having the child read aloud and use what they are learning on a daily basis is the way to mastery. It happens quickly! With no more than one hour per day, your child will be excited as they see their own progress.
These basic and yet simple concepts of teaching a child to read
are, for the most part, in most all situations, ignored. The link below offers a good free-example of "Phonic Charts". You can easily modify
and have fun with them. I found it easier to click "view" in my browser, then click "text size" to make the letters larger before printing them out. I also selected "print only page one" in my printer window to avoid wasting paper. The other link below, will lead you to Shoe Lace Books. This publisher's products and reputation speak for itself. There is no need to spend alot of money on a quality phonics program. Quality doesn't mean quantity, when it comes to phonics
programs, nor does it have to mean big bucks. The Accelerated-Achievement or (A2) contains a very good phonics program. We suggest you do not make any other purchases until you have fully examined the A2 contents. You will find additional purchases are not necessary. Large, colorful phonics cards can be fun. You can find them relatively inexpensive at your local school supply store, or even flashcards for around $1 at Target and similar stores.
Caren Cornell
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Please forward and share freely by including the above copyright notice and website location.
Free Phonics
Charts- www.cceschool.org/hayes/Phonics%20Charts.htm
EasyHomeschooling Techniques
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A great overall good book to have and refer to for any homeschooling family or those needing help in the public schools.
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