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Phonics

Literacy Connections - Phonics

 

SUPPORTING YOUR TIGER WITH TIGER WITH PHONICS

 

Literacy Connections - Phonics (PDF Version)

 

  1. WHAT IS PHONICS?

Phonics is the understanding that letters and groups of letters represent the sounds in spoken words. When children learn phonics, they connect the sounds (like /s/ or /sh/ to the letters that spell them. Phonics instruction leads to accurate decoding, which leads to automatic word recognition. In short, phonics is learning how letters and sounds work together to read and spell words.

 

  1. EXAMPLES OF PHONICS SKILLS
  • Short Vowels – Students decode simple words such as “cat”, “hen”, “pig”, “hot”, and “nut”. These are also called CVC words.
  • Blends – Students begin adding in additional sounds when they decode words such as “slam”, “splash”, “grab”, and “spring”.
  • Digraphs – Students learn that some sounds are represented by more than one letter, such as /sh/=sh and /ch/=ch
  • Silent-e – Students learn that the letter “e” at the end of a word can change the sound of a vowel, such as the word “bike”.
  • Vowel Teams – Students learn that some vowels work together to make different sounds, such as “ai” in the word “rain” or “ou” in the word mouse.
  • R-Controlled Vowels – Students learn that the letter “r” can change the sound of a vowel, such as “ar” in the word “cart” or “ir” in the word bird.

 

  1. WHY IS PHONICS IMPORTANT?

Phonics is important because it teaches children how to decode unknown words instead of just memorizing or guessing them. When children understand how sounds and letters work together, they can figure out new words on their own, which builds accuracy, fluency, and confidence. Phonics also helps with spelling, since children learn to connect the sounds they hear to the letters that represent them. Research shows that children who develop strong phonics skills become better readers overall. They tackle more complex words, grow their vocabulary, and better understand what they read. Without phonics, many children rely only on guessing from pictures or context, which limits their ability to become independent, lifelong readers.

 

  1. TIPS TO SUPPORT PHONICS

Find out what phonics skills your child is learning. Reinforce these skills at home with spelling and reading practice. Ideas are included on the next page.

Phonics Activities

  • Write each target word on two different note cards or sticky notes. Place all cards face down. On turn, players will choose two cards and read both cards. If they are a match, keep them. If not, turn them back over. Winner is the player with the most matches at the end. Note: it is important that your child read every card that is turned over so they are getting decoding practice.

  • Call out one word at a time from the word list. Have your child build or write the word using a fun writing tool. Some ideas are: sidewalk chalk, magnetic letters, shaving cream, sand, etc. Variation: After your child builds a word, change the word by just one letter. For example, if you’ve already made ham, say, “Change one letter to make the word ram. Now change one letter to make the word rim.”

  • When reading at home, prompt your child to use his or her decoding strategies when coming to an unfamiliar word. At school, we use these prompts:

    • Look at the word.
    • Point to each word part.
    • Say each sound.
    • Blend the sounds together.
    • Think: does that make sense?
    • Reread it to make it smooth.

     

    Don‘t Guess!

    Avoid prompting your child to guess what the word might be based on the picture or context clues. If needed, provide your child with the word with a quick model of how you can sound it out.

  • Write the target words on notecards or sticky notes and hide them around the house. Your child will find each word and read it to you. 

  • Choose 9 of the focus words. Write them in a 3x3 grid. Take turns with your child choosing a space to read. If the word is read correctly, place an X or an O on the space. Repeat util someone gets three in a row.