Phonics in Proper Perspective

As a the director of a volunteer literacy program, I am constantly asked by our tutors about phonics. I kept thinking to myself "If only I could find a simple, inexpensive book that would not only explain what phonics is (and what it isn't), but how and when to teach it and what sequence to teach it in." Then to my delighted surprise I found this book! I plan to buy as many copies as our program can afford. It will be required reading for any tutor with a student that needs help with decoding. Also, even though the book refers to beginning readers as children, the strategies presented can be easily applied to adult learners.

This is a great little handbook for new teachers. It is easy to read and provides practical methods to teach phonics--it also provides ideas for activities. The book begins by discussing the purpose and limitations of phonics. Next it discusses the history and controversy of phonics--basal programs, and sight-word method vs. phonetic method. It also describes how children learn to read, and prerequisites for phonics instruction. Best of all--it leads you through the process of teaching phonics; starting with consonant letter-sound relationships, vowel letter-sound relationships, structural analysis, etc. It provides information on how to teach as well as activities.