The Big Six in Effective Reading Instruction...Fitting it All In! PHONICS!

Phonics 

Explicit and systematic phonics instruction is critical for young readers. Direct instruction in this area is crucial and needs to be a part of our daily literacy routine. 

In my classroom, I used a simple 6-step method for teaching phonics. 

As a daily intro to the literacy block, I  meet with all students to go through these six steps to work through our spelling patterns and new words for the week. 

1.  Introduction...Develop Phonemic Awareness...I use Elkonin boxes, also known as sound boxes, to help my readers build (continue to build) phonological awareness skills by segmenting words into individual sounds (phonemes).  I would draw one box for each sound in target words. I also use the Elkonin boxes in phonics instruction to support phoneme-grapheme mapping.

2. Introduce/Practice Sound/Spelling...Introduce the new phonics concept explicitly. This might involve explaining a new letter-sound relationship, a spelling pattern, or a decoding strategy. The introduction should be clear and concise, providing a strong foundation for the subsequent steps.

3. Modeling/ Blend Words...In this step, demonstrate how to apply the phonics concept through modeling. You might read aloud, highlighting the target sounds or spelling patterns, and showing how to blend sounds to form words. This visual and auditory demonstration helps students understand how to use the phonics rule in practice.

4. Guided Practice/Build Automatic Word Recognition...Students practice the new concept with teacher guidance. This involves activities where the teacher can provide immediate feedback and support. Guided practice might include reading words, sentences, or short passages that focus on the targeted phonics rule, with the teacher assisting as needed.

5.  Independent Practice/Apply to Decodable Text...Students work independently to apply the phonics concept. This step reinforces learning through practice without immediate teacher support, helping students to internalize the new skills. 

6. Word Work for Decoding and Encoding...Students apply the phonics concept in more comprehensive reading and writing activities. This step ensures that students can transfer their phonics knowledge to real-world contexts, enhancing reading fluency and comprehension. Application activities might include reading books that incorporate the new phonics rule, writing stories or sentences, or engaging in spelling exercises.

Each of these steps builds on the previous one, ensuring a thorough and methodical approach to phonics instruction. This structured method helps students develop a solid understanding of phonics, which is crucial for reading and writing proficiency.