We often hear people calling for a ‘back to basics’ approach in education. But is synthetic phonics really backwards-looking, or has it some new elements that differ from how reading was taught in the past?
Read MoreLearning to Read
Schools white paper – good news for phonics
Some of us may not agree with the coalition’s plans for free schools but, for us phonics enthusiasts, it looks like some good things may come of the new schools white paper.
Read MoreHow to split a multi-syllable word
There are a number of ways to split a multi-syllabic word. It really depends on your approach; there are no hard-and-fast rules. Here are a number of ways to go about it.
Read MoreWhat would Harry Potter look like to a pupil who cannot read multi-syllabic words?
Following the discussion about the importance of teaching the phonic code and how to split multi-syllabic words, I thought it might be illuminating to show what a page from Harry Potter might look like to a pupil who has weak phonic knowledge and cannot split long words into syllables:
Read MoreWhat are decodable books?
Many people have preconceived ideas about decodable books. Some believe they are intended to compete with ‘real’ children’s literature. In fact, decodable books have unique purposes of their own.
Read MoreWhy we need to teach children how to split multisyllabic words
Most words in the English language have more than one syllable, and knowing how to split them up is an important skill children need to learn. In the past, phonics programmes have not put enough emphasis on this skill. Why is it important?
Read MoreWhat is a phoneme?
Now that everyone is talking ‘Synthetic Phonics speak’, and it seems like Michael Gove will continue to do so, it may be a good time to clarify some of the terms that are being used.
Read MoreTeaching high-frequency words and phonics – two conflicting approaches?
Wouldn’t it be great if we could teach those high-frequency words strictly within the phonic progression of our programme?
Read More8 tips for reading decodable books with beginners
Decoding can be very laborious for the beginner reader. Here are a few tips that can make the experience successful and rewarding.
Read MoreHigh/low reading books and high interest phonics – what’s the difference?
There are some great high/low (high level of content/ low reading age) books on the market these days, particularly for boys. Publishers have published some really good quality, motivating books. What is the difference between those books and decodable readers for older, struggling readers?
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