Phonics
One part of our literacy instruction is phonics. Phonics is simply the system of relationships between letters and sounds in a language. It involves matching the sound to the symbol. When your kindergartener learns that the letter B has the sound of /b/ and your second-grader learns that “tion” sounds like /shun/, they are learning phonics. Learning phonics will help your child learn to read and write words. Written language can be compared to a code, so knowing the sounds of letters and letter combinations will help your child decode words as he reads. Knowing phonics will also help your child know which letters to use as he writes words. We use the Alphabet Chart in class to teach students beginning phonics. We will also use the program Words their Way for phonics (and phonemic awareness) in our guided reading groups. Once we get started each student will get a homework sort every week that is personalized to your child's needs. This will be one of your activities. You may also work on phonics by going into Starfall.com. They have fun activities for each letter and reinforce skills.
