Phonics in K to 3

Alphabet Knowledge

Alphabet knowledge is the understanding that speech sounds and words can be represented using a sound-symbol system, known as a grapheme-phonemic system. Students must learn the shapes of letters, the letter names, the letter sounds, and then “which shapes correspond to which names and sounds” (Shmidman & Ehri, 2010). In learning to read, children must deciper the print before they can comprehend the meaning of the print. To achieve fluency in reading, which allows the reader to focus more of their attention on understanding the message conveyed in text, the deciphering of print needs to become automatic (Ehri, 2008).

Alphabetic Principle's Big Ideas 

Orthographic Mapping

Orthographic mapping is the cognitive process by which the sight of a given word activates its pronunciation, spelling, and meaning from memory. “The speed and ease with which words are retrieved from the orthographic lexicon depends on the degree to which these three forms are linked - or ”bound" - to one another in memory" (https://www.ldatschool.ca/orthographic-mapping/#). 

Elkonin sound boxes are a tool often used in early literacy instruction to help children analyze and ‘map’ the correct phoneme sound onto its corresponding letter(s).

Phonemic Awareness Skills versus Phonics

Phonemic Awareness skills precede phonics skills because children must first develop an understanding of how spoken language maps to written language. Whereas, phonics is the ability to apply letter-sound knowledge when translating print into speech. Phonics provides readers with a tool to unlock or ‘decode’ the pronunciation of written words.  

Phonics Scope & Sequence Models that Inform our Practice Note: You may find slight variations in the order of skills taught within different phonics scope & sequence processes. Regardless of which tool you select to use, it is most important that phonics lessons be delivered in an explicit and systematic way.
Wiley Blevins: A Fresh Look At Phonics	UFLI Foundations	Shifting the Balance (K to 2)

The Role of Decodable Books

Skilled reading requires both decoding and comprehension abilities for students to become proficient readers. Students need access to a variety of texts for different instructional purposes. Decodable texts support explicit phonics lessons by providing reading application practice of newly learned skills. Phonics instruction needs to be explicit and systematic, following a clearly defined scope and sequence that includes mastery assessments throughout the learning cycle. Decodable texts play a integeral part in building and solidifying a student's understanding that there are predictable letter-sound patterns in reading and writing.

Considerations to Think About When Selecting and Using Decodable Text - (Shifting The Balance, Jan and Kari, 2024)

Exploring Decodable Texts	What, Why, Who…	How many?	What to Look For; The Words
What Else to Look For: The Meaning	What About Free Decodable Books and Texts	More Ideas for Getting Started