What is phonics?
Phonics is a method of reading the English language that matches the sounds of our spoken language to letters and letter combinations.
When children learn to blend these sounds together, they can read by decoding, or breaking sounds of a word apart and blending them together, many unfamiliar words.
Some words won’t follow the patterns in English and must be memorized, but most words will follow a predictable pattern once you know them!
What makes for a great phonics curriculum?
When looking for a curriculum to teach your child to read, there are certain characteristics that will set a good phonics program above others.
Look for a program that is systematic. According to ReadingRockets.org, “Systematic and explicit phonics instruction makes a bigger contribution to children’s growth in reading than instruction that provides non-systematic or no phonics instruction.”
In other words, the program will have a logical, organized sequence of teaching the letter/sound relationships while giving explicit, precise directions for teaching those sound relationships.
Why use phonics to teach reading?
The benefits of phonics are backed by science. That’s right, science!
NWEA.org states that “particularly for elementary readers, improving word decoding gives kids a big boost in comprehension, in both the near and long term.” It is after all one of the main goals of reading – understanding what it is you have read!
Decoding is VITAL to readers’ ability to read new and different words with understanding.
All of the decodable books here at The Bookjay follow a strong Orton Gillingham pattern of introducing phonics concepts. We believe that providing a structured, systematic approach to reading will build confidence and develop key literacy skills in all children. We are committed to presenting children with a living feast of ideas and thoughts at whatever reading level is attainable to them. At The Bookjay, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to become a confident, capable reader, and we’re dedicated to making that a reality.