Prekread

10/27/2021

Once your child is very comfortable with their letters and letter sounds, start watching the word family videos. Sound out words with your child. Talk about how words in the same family rhyme. Make sure your child is sounding out the words and not trying to memorize or guess at the words. When your child is comfortable with the word families, move on to the high frequency words.

10/14/2021

Book and Animation Artwork

01/23/2021

"And for the last few decades, the research has been clear: Teaching young kids how to crack the code—teaching systematic phonics—is the most reliable way to make sure that they learn how to read words."

The debate rages but the science is clear: Teaching systematic phonics is the most reliable way to make sure that kids learn how to read.

12/22/2020

"Phonics instruction teaches children how to decode letters into their respective sounds, a skill that is essential for them to read unfamiliar words by themselves."

Phonics instruction gives children letter-sound knowledge, a skill that is essential for them to read unfamiliar words by themselves.

10/20/2020

"It emphasizes the importance of foundational skills, recommending that students in kindergarten and the fall of 1st grade receive daily instruction in phonemic awareness, and saying that all early readers could benefit from frequent phonics practice."

A new document emphasizes that sounding out words is the best strategy for kids to use to figure out what those words say.

10/18/2020

"In a major shift, the controversial figure in the fight over how to teach reading now says that beginning readers should focus on sounding out words, according to a document obtained by APM Reports."

In a major shift, the controversial figure in the fight over how to teach reading now says that beginning readers should focus on sounding out words, according to a document obtained by APM Reports.

09/12/2020

"In this article, we summarize some of the key evidence-based principles to help children (and adults) to read. We also include links to peer-reviewed evidence, leading researchers’ websites, and some evidence-based literacy programs and resources."

On reflection, I’m incredibly lucky. Both my parents were teachers. Growing up, my house was full of chatter, stories and books. My early state school education in regional Victoria was long …

09/05/2020

"Specifically, the most successful approach supplemented basic phonics with a tightly scripted format emphasizing repetition and student participation, often dubbed “direct instruction.” As I have previously explained for NPR, the results were especially impressive among poor children, including black ones."

Children can learn quickly by sounding out words, letter by letter—but somehow, the method is still controversial.

09/04/2020

"Being able to read means being able to make meaning from printed words. At a functional level, we read to get the message – such as how many times per day to take our medication – but in a literate society reading provides much more. A successful reader is someone who can access the thoughts, opinions, memories, theories, desires, experiences and feelings of others."

English is a code-based language, with 26 letters to represent 44 speech sounds. Children must first learn to master the code if they want to be successful readers.

09/04/2020

"Teaching phonics is an important aspect of a balanced literacy program. This is especially true for ELLs. Phonics is the relationship between sounds and the letter or letters used to write it. Phonics helps students learn specific sounds in the English language. For newcomers that have a background in a language that does not use the Western alphabet, phonics is a way to help them learn the letters and sounds of the alphabet."

Learn about some of the differences between teaching phonics to ELLs and native English speakers. Also discover some new resources.

09/02/2020

"Although reading in third grade alone will not ensure success, research shows that children who are not reading proficiently by third grade are four times more likely than proficient readers to drop out of high school (Hernandez 2012). Reading skills are foundational for middle and high school success and can close achievement gaps in K–12 education and enhance opportunities for children of color and low-income children."