Vanessa Avis

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Phonics is the systematic relationship between letters and sounds. (Bear, Invernizzi,Templeton,& Johnston, 2005).It is defined as instruction based on phoneme-grapheme correspondences and spelling rules (Tompkins,2003). Currently teachers, researchers, and even legislators seem to be embroiled in a debate over the “best” way to teach phonics. Some support a skills-based model in which phonics is taught explicitly, systematically, and sequentially. Others advocate a literature-based approach in which phonics is basically taught on an “as-needed” basis. Most teachers have found that a combination of the two methods appears to be most effective.

Cunningham sums up the current research findings by stating, “There is no research-proven best way to teach phonics, but research does indicate the children who engage in a variety of phonics activities and in lots of reading and writing become better readers and writers"(Cunningham,2005).

Resources

Bear, D.R., Invernizzi, M., Templeton, S., & Johnston, F. (2004) Words their way: Word study for phonics, vocabulary, and spelling instruction (3rd Ed.). Upper Saddle River , NJ : Pearson Prentice Hall.

Cunningham, P. M. (2005) Phonics they use: Word for reading and writing (4th Ed.). Boston , MA : Pearson Education, Inc.

Tompkins,G.E. (2003) Literacy for the 21st century: Teaching reading and writing in pre-kindergarten through grade 4. Upper Saddle River , NJ : Pearson Education, Inc.