Topic: Phonics

Poetry charts can encourage children to think about how illustrations can support a poem.

To young children, poetry is just fun. But as a teacher, with the full intention of opening the door to literacy, you know that much more is going on.

When using poetry charts in prekindergarten, here is a tip to try out with a classic poem.

We recently released a blog series where we defined the instructional contexts that makes up a coherent literacy system. In case you missed any of them, view the full lineup!

What is phonics, spelling, and word study? Why is it important? And what does it look like in the classroom?

As you implement phonics, spelling, and word study lessons, you will not only learn more about children's development of word-solving strategies but you will also gain invaluable insight into our English linguistic system.

In any coherent system of literacy learning, phonics, spelling, and word study are not the end goal. Instead, these important understandings contribute to children's competence and ease in reading and writing continuous text.

In Phonics, Spelling, and Word Study, children learn how words work in and out of texts.

The true purpose and promise of phonics instruction is to expand and refine children's reading and writing power.

We believe that well-planned and organized explicit teaching of language principles is critical, but that effective lessons must also contain an element of inquiry.

During phonics, spelling, and word study lessons, the teacher provides short, explicit instruction to help children learn about and efficiently use sounds, letters, and words.

Poems provide children with an authentic opportunity to apply their knowledge of letter/sound relationships and word patterns and parts.

When observing students through phonics and word work, you are noticing what the student knows about the phonetic rules of English and how they work.

Meeting a word in different contexts strengthens students' understanding of it.

FAQ Friday: Which High Frequency Word List Should I Use?

FAQ Friday: Unpacking the Phonics, Spelling, and Word Study System

Learning how words work doesn’t have to be a boring, mundane drill.

Teacher Tip: Have Children Match and Sort Letters