Teaching Ideas

Hi
l would greatly appreciate if you would list the suggested teaching order of sounds and digraphs to young primary age students

I am homeschooling my son since he was diagnosed with leukemia. I would love to hear more on phonics. I am having trouble with him remembering the sounds.

Hi Ann, I am in my second year of teaching. I would also love to hear more ideas to teach sounds.

In addition to teaching first grade, I also tutor dyslexic students using the Barton Reading and Spelling system. Susan Barton, the developer, has done a fabulous job of explaining the phonics rules so that a child (or adult) can understand, remember, and apply them in reading and spelling. If I had been taught these rules as a child, I'd have become a much better speller and reader!!

Hi All,
One of my greatest interests is Phonics and the way children learn to read,write and spell. I have completed some research in this area and have found many ideas to attract children so that they learn easily and experience fun at the same time.Humor and color are the main ingredients!!! Along with my business partner we have developed products to help children in this area. Go to,
www.letterboxlearn2read.com.au
and you will be able to see what we have started.
I just thought I would add something to the phonic notes that I have been writing. I find these two snippets of learning such a great help for my students in learning support.
When you tell children about the diagraphs( two letters that make one sound) ph, kn,gu, gh etc, tell them that they are Ghost Sounds... the children love this idea and never fail to remember!!!!!
Also, when w or wh is followed by an a, the letter will make the /o/ sound as in: want, what etc.
Have great fun sounding!!!!
Ann Foster

Hi Ann,

Thankyou for the fantastic ideas on teaching vowel sounds using Linda Mood Approach. As a second year graduate, I would be very interested in any more ideas.

Thanks again

Hi Kylie & Donna,
I am sorry that I haven't replied I have been away enjoying time with my grand children!!!
I am a great believer in having all children exposed to a Phonological Awareness Program. If you want more information on this area I can supply it in another email. This program provides the necessary components that you can then build upon.Research has noted that children who experience reading difficulties are not successful in this basic area. I continue the program with children until they produce an automatic response. This is important in all area of Phonics.
Phonics is the name given to the process of mapping sounds onto letter names. As you well know, some children can not hear the sounds that are being produced so that is why Phonological Awareness Programs are so important.However, continue using a Phonological Awareness Program and use some kinesthetic approaches to the Phonic Program. Have the children use a mirror to watch the variations in the sounds as they make them. I always introduce easy sounds firstly.All the long sounds,e.g. s, v. Then I introduce the poppers,p etc and gradually move to the more difficult sounds but all the time watching and feeling the mouth movement. The vowels are a different kettle of fish. I have developed a visual support for children who are having difficulties.This visual is used with a kinesthetic approach as well. The child places his/ her hand under the chin with the palm facing the floor.The movement of the chin will denote the sound because the chin drops down as each sound is said in this order: i,e,a,o,u. This is the Linda Mood approach and works wonders with a visual support.
If you can manage this area then I will move to the next level but if you require more explanation just let me know.
Kindest regards,
Ann

Hi Ann,
I do 3 days week volunteer at my local school (while studying my degree) helping special needs kids with reading and this would be invaluable to those children.
Please share with us.
Looking forward to your next post.
Kylie

Hi Ann

Oh, yes, yes, yes, please - I also am very interested in the different phonics methods and would love to hear some further ideas and views on the subject.

I am sure others would love to hear more also.

Looking forward to hearing more from you Ann.