We’ve talked about teaching phonics explicitly during reading instruction…it’s important! I have simple 10 phonics rules for teachers and parents.
Have you ever been in the middle of a phonics lesson and forgot a basic rule or what the skill is called? I’ve been there.
Phonics can be tricky. English language rules ARE tricky! When teaching young learners all of these skills, teachers can sometimes become overwhelmed and frustrated.
I have been teaching elementary for 19 years and it never fails…I will be in the middle of a lesson and I think to myself, “What is the rule for this phonics skill?” or “Did I just teach that rule correctly?”
Have you ever been there?
If you haven’t downloaded the “Simple 10 Phonics Rules”, please download today. This is a resource to keep handy by your teacher desk while teaching. This will include the top simple phonics rules for teachers and parents! Head HERE!
You’re thinking to yourself…
There are too many phonics rules to remember!
What sounds does the -ED Suffix make?
How do I teach voiced and unvoiced sounds?
Should I teach r-controlled vowels first?
I can’t remember all of the vowel teams!
What words can I use for the vowel teams OA and OE?
Do you have trouble remembering what is the rule for double consonants?
Can I remember phonics rules for EE and EA?
Why is the Science of Reading important?
The science of reading is key when you are teaching. Based on much research, teaching phonics explicitly will benefit all children. According to Secret Stories, “Decoding is essential to reading. It allows kids to figure out most words they’ve heard but have never seen in print, as well as sound out words they’re not familiar with. The ability to decode is the foundation upon which all other reading instruction—fluency, vocabulary, reading comprehension, etc… are built.”
The Orton Gillingham approach uses multi-sensory learning techniques to teach decoding, encoding, and blending sounds to build successful readers. Based on the Orton Gillingham Academy, “The Orton-Gillingham Approach is a direct, explicit, multisensory, structured, sequential, diagnostic, and prescriptive way to teach literacy when reading, writing, and spelling does not come easily to individuals, such as those with dyslexia. It is most properly understood and practiced as an approach, not a method, program, or system. In the hands of a well-trained and experienced instructor, it is a powerful tool of exceptional breadth, depth, and flexibility.”
I have been using the Orton Gillingham approach in my classroom for 3 years now. By using this multi-sensory learning approach, the students are more likely to grasp and retain what they learn. Read more about why I love Orton Gillingham here!
Orton Gillingham phonics program has made such a difference in my classroom. It is a multi-sensory phonics curriculum. In the first grade curriculum it builds on the correct letter formation in handwriting and the sounds the letters make.
The Orton-Gillingham Approach is a multi-sensory and structured to teach reading, writing, and spelling.
It is commonly used for students with dyslexia, but can be used to help all students feel more confident when they read and write!
What are some ways you incorporate phonics into your classroom?
Share with me your best phonics tips…I would love to hear them!
I’ve compiled my favorite 10 phonics rules that I use most often in my first grade classroom. These are the rules I find that I use most often teaching first grade. Of course, the rules apply and can be used in any grade!
Head HERE for your download of the Simple 10 Phonics Rules! It is a printable PDF that can be printed in color or in black and white.
Keep it handy by your desk…and peek whenever you need to!
Phonics Rules Can Be Tricky
Phonics rules are often not explicitly taught in popular curriculum series. They introduce a skill, give practice opportunities, assess, then move on! For students to become strong readers, they need to know the WHY! Once students can see the phonics rule in action, have them practice in multi-sensory learning activities…sand trays, play-doh, using markers to rainbow write, build with pipe cleaners, etc. Also, it is a great opportunity to use decodable texts in small groups, provide spelling dictation practice, and reinforce with chants or movements.
First, I like to use anchor charts as an introduction to a phonics concept. The students brainstorm the words together and often I will have students interact with the chart throughout the week. As we move through various concepts, I keep the anchor charts displayed in our room. The students refer to the old charts often during independent writing assignments. The best part…at the end of the year, I give away the charts as class prizes! The students love taking a piece of our learning home with them.
Video Phonics Tips Posted Weekly on my IG…
If you would like to see some of the phonics tips for elementary and rules in action visit my VIDEO SERIES page or check my weekly…or more… phonics tips on my IG account. Click below to head that way!
The video below shows a quick trip to tell the difference between voiced and unvoiced sounds. When I was trained in the Orton Gillingham approach…this was new to me! This explicit rule really sticks with some students. Using voiced and unvoiced sounds will especially help when teaching the suffix -ed. Read more here.
Teaching Phonics
I have always loved teaching phonics and reading, but after we were trained in the Orton Gillingham method…I absolutely love teaching phonics lessons!
Teaching 1st grade phonics can be tricky or frustrating. Teaching any grade level the tricky English language is a challenge.
With simple strategies the Orton Gillingham method covers, has inspired me to create a visual teaching tool to cover the phonics skills for kindergarten, 1st grade, or 2nd grade.
When you teach phonics, do you follow a curriculum? If so, do you feel that students master the concepts or does it move too fast? Does the curriculum explicitly teach the phonics rules? Do you find yourself supplementing with your own materials?
Each “We Love Phonics” lessons/unit will have a slideshow to teach the sound and phonics worksheets that correspond. From digraphs to long vowel teams…the “We Love Phonics” series will cover it all!
Completed units:
–CH
–SH
–PH
–NG
–IGH
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