How to Teach Phonics
5 Steps to Building a Reader
Let’s begin with the end in mind. Our goal is to build a reader quickly and efficiently!
Click below to learn more about each step.
This page is just a quick overview of the topics in the blog series.
Click on the topics above to learn much more!
Blending is an essential skill for decoding. However, I have learned from personal experience and from research by Torgesen, Morgan, & Davis (1992) that emphasis should be placed on segmenting words into phonemes.
In step three of building a reader we will use Elkonin Boxes also know as Sound Boxes.
This activity is explained on page 11 of the book “Graphophonemic Knowledge: Routines and Teaching Tools ” written by The Children’s Learning Institute at the University of Texas at Houston. We will use the same boxes and counters as before.
Model the activity. Say, “Listen as I segment the word man. I will move a counter for each sound I say. /m/ /a/ /n/. The first sound I heard was /m/. I am going to write the spelling for that sound in the first box, m. The next sound I hear in the word is /a/. /a/ is spelled with the letter a. Watch as I write the letter a in the second box. The last sound I hear is /n/. /n/ is spelled with the letter n. Watch as I write the letter n in the third box.
Elkonin Sound Boxes are a great instructional routine, but I have improved it by using an Alphabet Mat with movable pieces as a sort of “hands on type writer” that includes visual support for each sound.
The Sound Box Spelling Puzzles are a fun activity I developed after learning about Elkonin Boxes.
STEP 5 Read CVC Words
My Word Lists FREEBIE includes a page full of CVC words.
The CVC Matching Mats are my go to for practicing reading CVC words. These mats have only 5 words each. The first one focuses on the short a vowel sound. Colorful visuals support learners and color coding on the mats helps little ones keep them organized.
NEW CVC words freebie includes a list of CVC words with pictures and 1 mixed CVC practice matching mat. Click here to see this FREEBIE on TPT.
The benefits of reading high-frequency words with automaticity is obvious in reading. These words make up so much of what is read that stopping for each one would greatly hinder a readers ability to read fluently. Furthermore, irregular high frequency words cannot be sounded out. The sooner readers are able to quickly recognize high frequency words, the better. The American Heritage Word Frequency Book lists the following irregularly-spelled high-frequency words in order of frequency.
My Word Lists FREEBIE includes a page full of High Frequency words.
Now that students are able to read CVC words and high frequency words. The final step is to write sentences using the sight words they have learned and cvc words, so students can practice reading sentences fluently.
Developing fluency is important for students to be able to read words quickly and effortlessly, so they can focus on what they are reading.
This was only an overview of what is included below.
Click to learn more about each step.
INTRODUCTION Building Readers (You are here!)
STEP 1 ALPHABET Learn letter sounds
STEP 3 PHONICS with Sound Boxes
STEP 6 Learn SIGHT WORDS
Let’s build more little readers! Pin to remember or share on Facebook!
-MrsGalvan
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