Phonics In Context

Overview

Featured Resources

From Theory to Practice

 

OVERVIEW

Research abounds on the benefits of teaching phonics within the context of rich literature and immediately applying it within known contexts. In this minilesson, students become familiar with the short /u/ sound as they listen to Taro Yashima’s Caldecott Honor-winning book, Umbrella. Prereading activities build vocabulary and comprehension skills, a read-aloud introduces students to the sounds of the story, and concluding exercises allow students to apply their understanding of phonic elements in other contexts. Depending on students’ needs, this minilesson can be adapted to teach additional phonic elements using other authentic texts.

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FEATURED RESOURCES

Phonemic Awareness Assessment Tools: This website features a variety of assessments that teachers can use to determine whether students are ready for phonics instruction.

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FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

Kane, S. (1999). Teaching decoding strategies without destroying story. The Reading Teacher, 52, 770–772.

• Decoding skills must and can be introduced, taught, practiced, and reinforced within contexts meaningful to students.
  
  
• Quality children's literature provides rich and varied examples of phonics elements that may easily be taught in context.
  
  
• Minilessons before, during, or after choral or shared reading can offer direct instruction that barely breaks the flow of the story.

 

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